Atlantic Grass Roots Landscaping - Lakeside Landscape

At this beautiful lakeside property, where the home is nestled into the hillside , we were tasked with designing and installing walkway access that extends from the parking and main entry area to the “back” of the home and continue down to the bottom of the slope.  The descent from the driveway is broken into a series of walkways, steps and landings,  two spacious patio areas, gardens, and retaining walls using a variety of hardscape materials. While providing the function of accessibility and space to entertain and relax we try to compliment the natural aesthetic of the surrounding lakeside landscape.

One of the most challenging aspects of this installation was the nearly 20′ of elevation change from top to bottom. To overcome this challenge we employed  a series of walkways, steps and landings. Some walkway areas needed to be supported using  retaining wall block systems. An elegant band of charcoal colour brick is inlaid all walkway areas and really ties in well with the charcoal coloured capstones on the adjacent retaining wall.

The first patio is placed where  a number of access points intersect. It provides space to accommodate several guests seating and entertainment while allowing room to move around. The adjacent retaining/garden walls second as a bench for sitting in the shade on a hot day or a great place to display your favorite garden swag. The decorative brick banding is repeated throughout the patio areas to tie the patio and walkway elements together.

The second patio is set back into the hillside to maintain proximity to the home and other elements of this landscape, keeping a cozy feel that you’re not too far from the main event.. A firepit is featured, set into the center of this patio, creating a great focal point with the lakeside scenery as a backdrop. The section of retaining wall lining the hillside edge of the patio helps provide vertical dimension to the patio area and functionally acts as a bench to provide seating for when there are extra guests to share in the view.

Gardens were installed on the steeply sloped areas surrounding the hardscape elements of this installation. The nature of the orientation of the home and landscape elements provided a variety of growing conditions allowing for a wide selection of plant material ranging from full sun to full shade. The homeowners selected a variety of their favorite hardy perennials for installation to establish the “bones” of the gardens. The gardens continue to be modified and improved, as the homeowner is a gardening and plant enthusiast.

The result is an amazing landscape installation that leans into the challenging sloped nature of the site. The repeating terraces and swooping rounded and curvilinear lines create an informal effect that appeals to the lakeside natural beauty while functionally optimizing accessibility and providing spaces for entertaining or relaxing.