REVEALING THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF LEDGE
The front of this property was a morphed vegetation of bittersweet, honeysuckle, rose, and weeds. The homeowner wanted to reconstruct the original landscape, which boasted a large ledge. The current plant material required constant pruning to keep under control, and needed to go.
To create a landscape that reflected a natural look as well as compliment the ledge and house, the invasive material was mechanically removed (after DEP approval). The ledge area was manually cleaned to remove all soil and weed roots, and a planting mix was added to the pockets in the ledge to create planting areas. In addition, a grass pathway was added from the front area to connect to the rear. The extensive ledge and its associated drop in grade necessitated the use of boulders and stone to simulate an extension of the ledge, and to adjust the change of grade to build the grass pathway.
BEFORE: The front of this property was entirely covered with thick growth of honeysuckle, bittersweet, wild rose, and large weedy material.
AFTER: In the process of removing the invasive plant material, a beautiful ledge was exposed. All the soil in all cracks was dug out and power washed to remove to prevent regrowth of weeds.
BEFORE: Using an excavator, all of the invasive plant material was removed and hauled away.
BEFORE: Removing the plant material also exposed a steep drop off. The proposed design included a grass walkway from the front around to the rear of the house. This would require boulder walls to adjust the grade.
BEFORE: To adjust for the steep drop in grade, granite slabs were laid on a sloped bank to simulate an extension of the granite ledge sections.
AFTER: The final result of achieving a grade change and a grass walkway included a granite boulder wall and granite slabs to match the existing ledges and create the appearance of continuation of the ledges.
BEFORE: Granite boulders were located to provide sufficient height to create a planting bed behind the boulders while using the boulders to achieve the grade change. The base for the grass walkway has been installed.
AFTER: Granite steps arch along the bank as part of the grass walkway.
The landscape in the front of the house now highlights the granite ledge which extends all the way under the house. Salt tolerant plantings were used to withstand the oceanfront easterly storm winds.
Garden beds in ledge pockets create a natural-looking landscape.
The clearing of the ledge and installation of boulder borders created a natural, low-maintenance, beautiful landscape.
The renovated planting beds allow the plantings to thrive.
The exposed ledge complements and frames the planted areas.
Ledge adds a natural, rugged beauty to the façade of the house.