The homeowners had some very awkward changes in grade at the rear of their home and a handful of issues with the grading and drainage. Looking at the design, most guests would arrive from the side of the house to the right of the plan so the concept there was to make a navigable path from the front of the home around to the patio. They really didn’t want too much hardscaping. So we laid out a very solid, substantial stepping stone path and kept it as natural as possible with mulch down the side of the house and sod along the back. Having green between the stone rather than a solid path made for a much softer look.
There is a retaining wall to the right of the plan that allows us to come around the back of the house and step down to the patio with grand steps that flow nicely into the curved patio. The wall allows for grading properly and some visual interest as well. Water could be directed away from the house and push out beyond the wall into the yard where it could disperse better in the turf. That, combined with running the downspouts out beneath ground away from the foundation aided in keeping things dry near the house.
Boxwoods line the base of the wall to protect anyone from stepping off the wall and soften its appearance from the opposing side of the yard. We tucked climbing vines on the posts that support the upper deck and even had nice pockets to into introduce other perennials along the path. We didn’t need to block the view under the deck, but not draw attention to it either. Inexpensive pea gravel dressed that area up nicely.
And for the plantings we did have a handful of evergreens to conceal utilities and provide backdrop to our perennial groupings. With shade down the right we had room for lovely Hydrangeas and Hostas. The accent tree on the right is a Redbud and draws you down the path while still giving a nice show from the patio side as well. To the left is a Kousa Dogwood. I don’t typically use two trees that bloom in the same season, but both are spring bloomers and absolute favorites of the homeowner. As she ultimately wanted them, she got them. They provide balance across the back of the house without matching and being symmetrical.
We get into a bit more sun on the left and space for flowing perennials that add texture, movement, and loads of seasonal interest. With this hardscape, the patio material was a paver and the walls man made but all in a tan tone to blend with the color of the home.
Curves are not always the right shape but, in this yard, they allowed grades to work and spaces to flow into one another very fluidly. Do you have a favorite patio saved somewhere you’d like to share? One in your head you would like me to put on paper?
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