Walls going up and paths going down
As with all landscaping projects, the stucco wall construction is taking longer than I expected, partly for the happy reason that we’ve had some rain, so no complaints about that. I am delighted with the work so far. The cinderblock walls have been mortared in place on concrete footers, and they’re being wrapped with wire mesh. Next step is the stuccoing.
Here’s one thing I love that I didn’t fully anticipate: the walls’ curvy embrace of our curvy pool, now that we have walls on both sides. I wanted the new walls for safety (the two existing patios at each end of the pool are elevated), for additional seating, and for year-round structure and color. But the shape echo is a nice bonus.
The taller middle wall at right is straight, however, for contrast and so that I have a little room to plant in front of it. I’m thinking of ‘Blonde Ambition’ grama against a red-orange wall. Can you see those blond-eyelash seedheads against it? I can.
I also love how, on the west end, the new wall joins the existing limestone wall to frame a view of the orange dragon pot. If we hadn’t had that late deep freeze last winter, the Mexican weeping bamboo behind the pot would be as tall as the fence and arching beautifully over the pot. Oh well.
As the walls go up, a new limestone path under the live oaks is being laid. This area is thick with oak sprouts (suckers from the live oaks), and in an attempt to get some usability here I resorted to heavy-duty weedcloth under a packed gravel base for the flagstones. Because it’s not mortared, water and air can still get through to the tree roots. We will see how long it takes the oak sprouts to wiggle their way to freedom in the cracks between the stones. The crew got creative here, riffing on all the circular shapes in my back garden, and added a subtle sun design to the center of the path. Can you see it?
The path leads to steps to the lower garden…
…which were formerly laid (by me) from smaller flagstones I found in the yard when I moved in. But NOW — well, just look at these big, beautiful limestone steps.
For scale, and to better appreciate the muscle that goes into this kind of work, here are the guys preparing to move a slab from street level down to the lower garden. At least it’s downhill!
All material © 2006-2014 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Pam it is coming along so nicely! I love the curves and how they create little nooks. The new path is gorgeous! Your crew is doing a great job. You are doing a wonderful job of re-working an existing space and making it better!
Thanks, Laurin. I’m a new fan of walls. Walls, walls, walls, I want more! —Pam
I know I’ve said it before but you are so lucky to have such good crews. It’s looking really good. Yes, Blonde Ambition will look great in front of an orange wall, and I think orange is a great color for your garden!
These guys are great. They’re with a masonry company I contracted the job to. —Pam
Isn’t it great to have muscle for these kinds of hardscape jobs? Worth every penny. I’m loving the image in my mind of grama grass against an orange wall.
Alison, little makes me as happy as having a few strong guys knocking out heavy-lifting garden projects for me. The skilled labor of wall-building is even more appreciated. —Pam
It’s not a sun sign, it’s the Death Star! Seriously, looks good…can’t wait.
It’s the flip side of the Death Star, David. I will admit that the sun (at cooler times of the year) is a life force that my garden appreciates. 😉 —Pam
I always wonder “Why mess with perfection?” and now we know. It’ll be even more so.
Vicki, you’re very kind. But no, it’ll never be perfect. And that’s fine with me. The journey is the fun part anyway. —Pam
When it comes to flagstone paths bigger is obviously better. You have a great crew doing the path and wall work for you judging by the results and the enjoyment you’ll get essentially forever from the results, is going to amortize out to it being a wonderful investment.
I can totally see an orange wall – it would play so nicely with your dragon pot and “Austin” sign. Will you paint your yellow metal chairs purple? Purple chairs would be a stunning accent to an orange wall…
I hadn’t thought about painting the motel chairs, Deb, but now you’ve got me thinking about it. I like purple (and painted my shed purple in my old garden), but I don’t think it’s right for this garden. Maybe red though. —Pam
So much anticipation with the walls being up and the path taking shape. Exciting. I can see the rounds of flagstone and a certain sunny shape. Those are huge pieces of limestone. Good thing you have such strong help.
I agree completely, Lisa. —Pam
I love supervising big jobs and to see them coming along, getting a vision. It is looking stunning already Pam.
Thanks, Donna! —Pam