Description:
Building our family home! It's on a corner property on a, fairly, busy street. We decided to situate our backyard area toward the street to see a view rather than face the neighboring large homes. The yard for kids to play starts above this 6' retaining rock wall. Our single story home will be built about 2-3' higher in elevation. By code, we are not allowed to built a wall higher than 6'. Also, we are not able to grade the property lower, so we'll have a slight slope in the yard (unless we build another tiered wall). We want to have privacy from the street and the 2 story home across the street. The yard space is 20' from the wall and 48' across, which is not much space when landscape is added. We are deciding to either tier another retaining wall with 18" wall above grade with trees/hedges planted in between the tiered wall OR leave the slope in the yard and rely on hedges and trees for privacy against a wrought iron fence built above the 6' retaining wall. We are planning on planting trees in the sidewalk median in front of the wall to add another layer of privacy from the street. Next step....wondering what would be the best way to create privacy in our yard space that is most attractive from the street and backyard?
6 Comments
1. anne1 | August 12, 2008
With only 20' from the wall to the house, it seems like the second option makes more sense. You can plant more mature hedges and trees on the slope and use up less space. You can also put mature trees in the median and have sufficient privacy. This maintains some useable yard space.
2. lissa | August 18, 2008
Maybe a low type of tropical green foilage would soften up the wall. Are you planting the trees in the median strip? Are you going for a tropical type of landscaping? To add more privacy you can plant areca palms inside your wall where the grade is higher. They make a great screening hedge adding more privacy for you.
3. kh2008 | August 20, 2008
Every piece of advice helps..... Your suggestions were consistent with our landscaper. We decided to NOT build a second tiered retaining wall and aim for planting more mature trees and hedges for privacy. Our landscaper says we'll add "layers" of privacy by planting trees in the street median too. THANK YOU so very much for your comments! Now, we need to think of what type of water feature we can put in our yard or lanai area to drown out the noise of the "swooshing" traffic. The decisions are endless....
4. cathylee | August 21, 2008
You are right...the decisions are endless, but in the long run - so worthwhile. Soon you'll be enjoying backyard barbeques with the kids running around, and you'll forget all about the stresses you are going through now! Promise! In the mean time - I agree with the other comments regarding the layering of landscaping. Travelers Palms, Arecas and Rhapis make for a great immediate screens from the street, but in 3 - 4 years the "fan" from the Travelers palm will be higher than you may want. By layering with tall and medium height palms and trees, you'll not only give your backyard more privacy and shade, you'll add beauty that only Mother Nature can provide! I think your idea for a water feature is perfect. If you are not off of a highway, no need for something elaborate. A medium sized water feature with water running to diffuse the sound is all you need. You don't to take up too much space - leave lots of grassy area for your kids to play in. As for what type of feature for the water garden...keep in mind the architectural style of the house. Good luck, and enjoy!
5. kh2008 | August 21, 2008
Our home construction is estimated to take 12-14 months to build our contemporary island style home. I will share, periodic, photos on our progress. Any feedback is, totally, appreciated! It really is difficult to make decisions when it's your own home. For instance, I could easily look at any rock wall and tell you if I like it or not. When it's your own, it's difficult to say. We will ask our rock mason to stain our wall a little bit darker. Also, we asked him to use larger size rock in the front of the home. Around the corner, he used smaller size, which was not as nice, but I'm not sure if others would notice or just me.... Anyways, THANKS, again, for your feedback!
6. melissa | August 25, 2008
What a great idea to use the water feature to drown out the traffic noise. I also live on the busy street and I never thought to do that. I am going to use your idea and incorporate a water feature in my yard to help with the noise!!
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