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Landscape Design Design Dilemma

Courtyard Flowerbed and Concrete Wall

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

The current "flowerbed" area is not very attractive and I'm struggling to come up with ideas to make it clean and fun space to look at. It's about 3-4 feet deep and 20 feet wide. The concrete wall is about 8 feet tall. I'm open to ANY ideas that would make it unique, fun and enjoyable to look at. Thank you in advance!

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Comments (4)

decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
Do you wan Disney kind of fun or just intriguing fun? Trailing plants that drape over the sides can cover some of the basket weave stone is you want it to be less prominent. Don't move the crock behind the swing; he might bite someone. Maybe he would appreciate the addition of a water feature.
B Folly
Original Author
6 years ago
I love your question! I'm really open to anything that would be a conversation piece and enjoyable over time. I live in Ca so the backyard is pretty much used year round.

And thanks for the trailing plants that drape over the sides. I think you're right on that! I'll start looking for those this weekend!
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Before copying Melvalena's landscaping you might consider specifically what your objectives are and whether they are the same as hers - or actually the PO's, who apparently designed it if I understand correctly. Your house is quite different, and your surroundings probably are too. For example, do you want to hide all the brick foundation of your house? What are your shade needs? What are your privacy needs in those windows? Tall plantings outside will also darken the rooms inside. The ideal landscaping for Melvalena's house might also not match what is currently there - hence the changes planned, I take it. I would also encourage you to place those trees in the lawn (at least mentally) before you finalize a foundation planting. Karin L
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It strikes me as risky, not just due to rain but you'll also be watering the bed. I don't think you've told us the material of the house. If it's wood, air circulation would be a good idea. I put some raised rock beds next to our wood steps last year, and rather than butting them up against the wood I first put a row of pavers down, then stacked rocks sloping up to the top. Each successive level offers a small planting area, and the top area is actually quite small in the end. It isn't easy to get in the gap to garden, but it's better than rotting steps. Maybe some variant of that would work for you. KarinL
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Even a freestanding wall needs a footing merely for its own weight, though I get your point about it seeming like overkill. I can't see your situation, but it seems like you'd want to add soil in order to level out the cross slope in order to put a better face on the area, since the wall shown in the plan is U-shaped, and since it doesn't seem like it would require much.
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decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
What do you think about painting the wall in a fun color you love?
Outdoor Spaces · More Info
B Folly
Original Author
6 years ago
I like that... I'm going to need to hang stuff on the wall like they did in that picture. Maybe I can find some interesting and fun outdoor art!

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