The use of terrace planting beds in gardens has historically been the best way to deal with slopes, which can be difficult and even dangerous to maintain. Terraces have been an important part of garden design since ancient Persia and Roman times and were popular in the Italian Renaissance and with English landscape gardens.
A terraced landscape is created by building a series of retaining walls, allowing space for level beds or lawns. There is a wide choice of materials to create retaining walls; stone and brick for traditional gardens, concrete, metal and railroad ties for contemporary landscape designs are most popular. With proper design this style of garden can become lush through the use of container gardening, automated drip irrigation and low-flow irrigation systems, and outdoor furnishings.
Traditional terraced gardens tend to reflect the planting style of the overall garden and style of the house linking the house to the garden as well as to the contours of the landscape.
A beautiful example of linking home and garden using terrace planting beds, was accomplished with our client located in Laguna Beach California. Laguna Beach is known for its pristine beaches and steep sloping hillsides which provide many residents with ocean views. Santa Barbara Sandstone was selected for the Tuscan style of architecture as veneer stone for both the garden and home built on this very steep property.
Santa Barbara Sandstone is harvested from the region it is named for. It is an extraordinary stone that works easily in a mason’s hands. Terraced gardens will show off the beautiful stone material you select; whether this or any of the many fine natural stones we offer.