Pictured is a job we did last Fall. It was a backyard installation that came to us from a Google search for "backyard living".  We were able to offer some design ideas from our perspective and experience.

Ed and Sandy had a  large hill in the backyard that was hard to deal with.  They had done somethings to landscape the section in the middle a bit ago, but the time had come to do something new.  They had a few company's out and it was suggested that they dig into the hill, add a retaining wall and put in a patio.  I believe the plan included the works, a firepit and kitchen etc, not sure, though on that part.  Of course, the price came in at double budget!  They let the project slide to the back burner.

The next year Ed, a faithful Google user, made the aforementioned search. Well... it brought him to us.   He called me, I was on another job and agreed to come meet him.   We met and I had some different ideas that didn't require any traditional hardscaping to deal with the hill.    I am a fan of boulders.  So are many landscape plants, and water too.  It's just ancient permanent wisdom sitting in your yard, whats not to love?

I believe we talked so long I was late for something (which isn't all that uncommon) and by the time I left we had almost agreed to do the project. It was around half I suppose of previous quotes for a different plan.   Ed loves cooking, and outdoor cooking included. But he wasn't interested in an outdoor kitchen, but he was interested in an outdoor firepit, which he cooks on regularly.  We watched some of the boulders in the middle of the design form  natural irregular steps flanked by beautiful spreading perennials and groundcovers.  We decided to follow these unsuspecting steps through the woodland and it brought us to a sunny clearing atop a grassy ridge. There we found that ancient fire ring that so many steaks had been seared upon and so many glasses of wine had sat upon.

The Waverka's also had us add a small paver patio next to their existing covered patio.

On a job like this I typically have a price in mind to spend on plants, mainly perennials, but also shrubs, a few evergreens and of course, a Japanese Maple from our nursery at Hobbs Knob.  I don't typically have a large plant list, usually daylilies, mondo grass, phlox and anything the customer may have requested.  The real fun starts when I get to the wholesale nursery.  I begin to hear screams from the plants,"put me with the boulders" and "I'll grow down the hill" and "I'll bloom the whole summer!".  So, on the cart they go, anxious to go for the first time to their new home and meet their new parents.

The boulders offered function but also a unique natural and meditative air to the backyard. This is in part because stone, especially large stone creates the impression of permanence.  A few well placed boulders really make an impact, without standing out.



We offer this highlight to let you know no matter what you want for your landscape, Let It Fly Backyard Living can approach it with you, to find the best way to do it and at the best value for you.  After all, it's more than your yard we're landscaping, it's our life too!

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