We mentioned before how design plans are mere snapshots in the landscape’s evolution. We show clients what the gardens will look like in a year and a few years out, but being that a garden is a living design and is ever evolving, it will not appear as we depict on paper indefinitely. The trees will grow, shrubs reach their life expectancy and plants will fall in and out of favor by the homeowners, or series of homeowners. But what will remain the same, at least for many years to come, is the stonework.

Natural stones have permanence, even if the walls start to crumble or patios pull apart decades down the road. There is romance and historic intrigue stirred when viewing dry stacked stone walls along Kentucky back roads. Hardscaping, likes walls and patios, remind us of those who have come before: those that lived and worked the landscape. Stones have a permamance to them, even when everything else around has fallen into disarray, they are still the keystone to the landscape’s design.

“When you come across an old, natural stone element, it immediately becomes the focal point, the launching pad for redesigning a garden that has fallen into decay from years of neglect,” shares Jennifer Smith. “Old stone remnants can be preserved as is, a nod in a way to the garden’s past, or refurbished. Either way, the stones continue on from one generation of a garden to the next.”

There are many practical reasons why we design with hardscapes. A stone wall is a far better retention material than timbers, a stone surface transforms a lawn to a dining area, even an outdoor kitchen, and a stone wall can be a wonderful garden design element in its own right.

“Adding a natural stone feature to a landscape shows a commitment to that landscape’s long term integrity,” says Peter Wimberg. “Stone work, be it a fireplace, an ornamental element, even a path meandering around a garden, is a sign of permanence.”

In Peter’s own landscape, massive stones act as steps and the front walk in his nature-inspired garden. When the plants have ceased for the season, the stones carry the design. “That hardscape feature is the difference between a blank winter yard and a thoughtful design with winter interest,” explains Peter. And, because gardens and gardeners change over the years, should Peter opt for a more formal garden, even one with a lawn, the stones will remain and carry that new planting design forward.

If you would like to explore stone options for your landscape, give us a call. We will evaluate your landscape, design an option that is perfect for you and handle the installation. 271.2332