Powder River
Objectives
- Use drought tolerant plants
- Use and upcycle locally-sourced materials and plants
- Require little maintenance
- Mitigate water issues
- Create an intimate gathering space
- Remove unhealthy and aging trees
- Add native trees
- Redesign existing hardscape
- Create a proper entrance
- Bring attention to the front door
Before + After
We replaced the old lawn with a low-maintenance meadow designed to hold falling oak leaves, allowing them to break down and feed the ecosystem. The terraces are held back by 1/2"-thick weathering steel, which over time will turn to a beautiful rust color to match the existing shingle siding. Strategically placed native flowering plants form layers of colors and textures, creating a compelling landscape composition.
Stormwater Management
We designed and built the new patio to sit on top of 14" of aggregates, serving as a detention pond for rainwater to feed the mature oak tree and surrounding areas. Excess water trickles over the terraces, infiltrating the newly planted green meadow.
Plant Diversity
We planted three new trees, three shrubs, two yuccas, four ferns, and 41 perennials. More than 250 clusters of native grass populate the meadow, creating a lush and inviting landscape. All plants are low-maintenance, native, or adapted, or, alternatively, selected for resiliency and cold hardiness.
