Pics (& a few questions) about my in-progress bluestone hardscape

16 years ago

Below are some pictures of my in-progress Connecticut Blue stone patio and retaining wall. The contractors have just started veneering the retaining wall.

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I had selected tumbled bluestone for the wall--smaller and thinner pieces for the seat wall and chunckier pieces for the seat cap. One worker suggested today that we do bullnose brick instead for the seat cap and I was wondering what others thought about that. Below is a picture of some of the seat caps I had placed along the top to give a feeling for that look.

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Do you think this would work or should we consider the brick (which would add more color and echo the brickwork surrounding the patio)? If I were to keep the blueston seat wall pieces, I would like minimal (or no) cutting--or if they do, could the edges be chipped up to look worn?

The patio is not grouted yet. Any suggestions on color?

Also, would appreciate thoughts and advice on sealing and/or enhancing as well as recommended products to use.

Lastly, I have a question about the birch trees. Ours are the small ones which are pretty well dwarfed by the neighbor's more mature trees.

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We started with four birch trees--one died so we removed it and will also need to remove the one in the center--not only is it lopped off at the top, but the base looks like it is rotting out so that will go as well. I am debating if we should replace with another in the center--or stick to some low lying shrubs--hostas, etc. My concerns are both that it does not get much light and with 5 trees already there (from what was originally 8 between ours and our neighbor) there are roots all over the place underground and a new tree won't be able to spread it's own roots. In fact our left most one does not seem to be thriving either(which granted was not watered much in past year while our house was being remodeled). Are there too many trees planted in close proximity for a new tree to thrive? Our trees, being small, do not get much direct sunshine--or at least the one to the right does not. Advice and suggestions welcome.

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Comments (7)

ajwillys
16 years ago
I think I would go with brick to cap off the wall. I think it would match the brick in the patio well and also would make a more level surface if you ever want to put pots on the wall or sit on it. But mostly, I think it would look really sharp matching with the border brick in the patio.

As far as the birch trees, they look way too crowded to me but I don't really know much about that. If it was me, I would leave the one on the far left for now (with the thought of possibly removing it later) and take the other two out now and put in some smaller plants like you say.
Valerie Noronha
Original Author
16 years ago
ajwillys: Thank you for the feedback. We have decided to do the brick for the reasons you have suggested. For right now, we will remove the center birch and have a wait-n-see with the birch to the right. I do plan to ask our neighbor to trim some of their canapy that goes over on our side--as you are right it is really crowded there and their huge birch trees really dwarf ours.
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karinl
16 years ago
I know you designed your wall to accommodate these birches but I have to say I think they look quite strange growing there and they aren't growing nicely, as you point out due to your neighbour's trees.

What you have there is a borrowed landscape in the form of your neighbour's canopy and I don't see much hope of growing good trees right underneath it, and no real need to do so either. Depending on how much screening you really need toward the back of your lot, I would consider removing all the birches and planting tall shrubby stuff, like maybe Hibiscus or Physocarpus, in the raised bed itself, not in front of it.

KarinL
Saypoint zone 6 CT
16 years ago
Plus the birch on the right is way too close to the fence and will be rubbing against it in no time.
skrip
16 years ago
I love the stones! looks great... I dont know where you're located, but yeah, those birches gotta go. Too cramped in the area you got 'em.

but cant wait to see the finished yard!
wilmoth
16 years ago
do away with the trees totally the view to the house is horrible... as for the color of the grout im not sure maybe a lighter spanish terra cotta would look cool next to the fence and it would base the brick caping coloring add some white to the area to pick up the windows and add variety a simple park bench and some white pea gravel.....also you have the makings of a beautiful japenese garden do away with the shrubs add a small water feature with a few koi or a pergola add some vines for a splash of color with a inside seating area maybe a swing i would fill that area where the shrubs are with white pea gravel and add maybe some caladium...maybe a small fountain or a water feature such as a large terra cotta pot with a simple pump feature with a return of some sort also...i think it will be a beautiful area just play with the ideas and pick the ones that are more like your personality you should never lose that in planning any area hope this is useful...donna
marymd7
16 years ago
May as well remove those birches now as they're likely to die anyway. Birches, like many trees, will not tolerate all the disturbance the root disturbance and compaction they've been subjected to through this project.

Pics (& a few questions) about my in-progress bluestone hardscape

Comments (7)

ajwillys

Valerie Noronha
Original Author

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karinl

Saypoint zone 6 CT

skrip

wilmoth

marymd7

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Pics (& a few questions) about my in-progress bluestone hardscape

Comments (7)

ajwillys

Valerie NoronhaOriginal Author

Related Discussions

karinl

Saypoint zone 6 CT

skrip

wilmoth

marymd7

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Valerie Noronha
Original Author