 Dr
and Mrs. Burch have
been clients and friends for 20+years during which, we have worked
together on several landscape projects. We are using the latest in 3d
landscape design. The place was overgrown, so we removed 58 trees
(mostly overgrown Leyland cypress) and transplanted or pruned the
overgrown shrubs. So far, (June '07) nearly all of the
transplanted shrubs are thriving despite the record drought due to our
specialized transplant drip irrigation, which will include new
landscaping as we install new landscape plantings this fall. |
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3D landscape design
They bought a large home which had been remodeled several times on an
estate size lot within an established prestige neighborhood in Athens,
GA. As you will see, we found many spaces with great
potential. We met the day after closing, and I said "This is
better than Christmas!" because I look forward to each day with
great anticipation. The 40+ yr old house had a few problems
among the many opportunities. The steps and retaining walls were
dangerous and falling apart. We decided to go for a naturalistic,
low maintenance, mountain stream rock garden, and waterfalls that will be attractive to
wildlife, and very maintenance.
Waterfall construction slide show
Stone Drive > made of natural stone on crushed stone base. Faux
stone stamped concrete would have cost $30,000 for this drive.
We are building the real thing for half that much! Boulderwalls,
natural waterfalls, solid stone steps, stone patio, garden pond, and low
maintenance river stone mulch, landscaping with various colors and
textures, drip irrigation, and low voltage lighting. |
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Rear yard greenhouse, patio, and paths
This estate lot was planted 20 years ago by a gardener who didn't
anticipate how large and imposing her plantings would become. This
compound had been added several times including a very innovative multi
use building including a greenhouse, potting shed, poolhouse, bath
house, and outdoor kitchen which separates the side yard from the
swimming pool. The existing concrete
path directed traffic away from the creek and gave no opportunity to enjoy
the undeveloped left over space. We created a patio, sitting wall,
and waterfall viewing area that has become a favorite spot. We
drained the standing water which has eliminated the mosquito swarms so the
dappled shade of the hardwoods and the soothing sounds of the creek are
enjoyed pest free. |
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Waterfall in natural stream
We discovered a natural stream
flowing through the property. We
researched the local and state codes and pertaining to state watershed
protection before proceeding. There was an old concrete block dam the
previous owners built to impound irrigation water. We demolished it
and built a waterfall that you can walk across 30ft upstream from the original
waterfall. The watershed above this dam is 20+ acres, so the stream
flow varies considerably. We built a stand pipe and overflow channel
similar to farm ponds and lakes. We lined the stream with river
stones and riverstone mulch to eliminate erosion while creating a
beautifully naturalistic landscape. |
Below We created a walk over waterfall with
retaining wall blocks and very large stepping stones spaced to allow water
to flow between them during low flow, and over during high flow, The stand pipe directs water under the
waterfall during high
stream flow. |
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Stone patio and view across creek. The
stepping stones across the waterfall and pond provided an opportunity for
a destination stone patio. This stone patio is in the flood plane,
so we made it without concrete or mortar. We planted ajuga and other
low growing groundcovers between the stones and around the riverstone
mulch border. The area is softened by naturalistic streamside
landscape plantings. The most important aspect of creating this
comfortable naturalistic retreat was to eliminate the mosquitoes.
Standing water is where they breed. We piped the puddles back to the
creek.
>Back steps to swimming pool
and pool filters
We found the pool filters separated from the
swimming pool by dangerous steps. The trick was to design steps that
connected all the spaces (creek, patio, swimming pool, and filters) in a
safe and beautiful manner. We used blocks in ways the manufacturers
never dreamed of by trimming them where needed to create corners and
curves of various radii. |
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Swimming pool
We removed oppressive vegetative wall
and built a retaining wall on the steep slope which created a 15' x 20' level
planting area and increased the visual area by over 50%. We rounded
off the square corners and added curves which increased the functionality
and visual appeal. |
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>Swimming pool stone patio and fire pit
We replaced the grass with a stone patio, fire
pit and wall fountain.< Pool house
We found a 25 year old cabana and outdoor
kitchen that was ahead of it's time when built. We updated it in
several ways. We design projects in tropical regions where the insects
would prevent enjoyment of the outdoors except for the invention of exterior
grade fans. Mosquitoes can't fly in 5+mph breeze, so if you have fans, you
don't need insect screens. |
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Survey |
Planting Plan |
Lighting Plan |
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