Spotlight on Lake Saving Yards
An ongoing showcase of exemplary yards designed by homeowners with lake protection in mind
By : Suzanne and Tom Chapman
We moved to Pinehurst in 2016 . Except for the backyard patio , there is no level ground in our yard . There was also no plant material except the shrubs in the front of the house . It was a blank canvas .
Before
Before there was not much to look at in the front ; however , now , is a different story . In the front , we added mostly native shrubs and plants around the front of the house . In the front bed , we have goldenrod , honeysuckle , sedum , and hydrangea , along with other shrubs . We also added coreopsis , creeping phlox , and grasses . Perennials help reduce erosion .
We also added laurels , creeping juniper and other evergreens in the lower front bed . These are low maintenance plants that can take little water and hot afternoon sun . The front is mostly complete now .
After After
After
The backyard was a different story . Except for the patio area and one hillside , there was nothing . It was a barren monoscape . Our first phase was to add screening across the fence line and provide roots to slow the runoff . We chose a selection of evergreens including hemlock and arborvitae . Suns Nursery in Woodbine did the plantings .
Phase
1
Evergreen Screening
This past summer , we did the second and bigger phase working with American Roots . The dry creek bed was put in below the new trees and extended down , leading into tiered , bioretention gardens . They are ringed in stone . Each is filled with biosoil , which is a mixture of planting soil , mulch , sand , silt , clay , and / or organic matter . In this case , the purpose was to maximize water infiltration from the uphill runoff and provide a good planting environment . Echinacea and iris were planted in them . Wild lowbush blueberry shrubs were already in the bed at the top of the yard . A large decorative boulder was added to the lower hillside , and then sod put down across the back . For the dogs , of course !
10 LakeTalk December 2020