LANDSCAPE EDGING: In my eyes there are 4 main types of decorative landscape edging: black vinyl, segmental concrete, natural stone and boulder/rock.  All are functional and add aesthetic value, some more than others. 

BLACK VINAL EDGING, ”A.K.A. Black plastic” (Pictured below):  Black edging is most commonly purchased in 20′ sections, from landscape supply stores.  Try not to purchase the black edging that comes rolled up in a box from a box store, very hard to install.  The sections of edge come with all needed stakes and connectors to install.  INSTALLATION TIPS: If encountering roots along the edge path, undercut the edge to sit above, don’t cut the root.  PROS: inexpensive to purchase, very pliable if left in the sun prior to handling, quick installation and connectors allow for smooth curved or hard cornered lines.  CONS: The material can be cut easily by lawn maintenance equipment, curved areas along the edge have a tendency to heave over time and there is not much visual value other than the separation of surrounding material.

SEGMENTAL CONCRETE:  ” Any variation of manufactured concrete pieces set end to end,”  Segmental concrete edgers are great because of so many new varieties, bullet edgers (pictured to the left), half moons and natural stone look-a-like to name a few.  Segmental edgers can be purchased from box store with success however visually inspect prior to installation for cracks and chipping.  INSTALLATION TIPS:  Cut into the ground as deep as desired, some like the top of the edger to be flush with the grade and some like the top of the edge to stick above the ground.  PROS: Easily transportable, ease of lawn maintenance if installed properly, many colors and varieties available and can be replaced individually if damaged.  CONS: Concrete will eventually breakdown over time.

NATURAL STONE: Material found naturally on the earth.  When investing in landscape renovation a proportionate amount of resources need to be spent on the edge selection type, many times it is the edge selection that will set off the total project.  There are many varieties of stone in the surrounding areas, I will list a few of my favorites: Limestone: Fond Du Lac, (Pictured to the left) an off-white stone from Wisconsin, works great with most surrounding materials.  Chilton, a colorful stone from Wisconsin, works great in most applications.  Desert Bronze, a mix of sandy brown tan and bronze colors, works great when brown tones are in surrounding environment. Granite: Carnelian is a grayish blue stone that always looks great.  Sandstone: Sandy Creek, similar to desert bronze, NY Bluestone, blues and greys mostly dominate this stone, solid and sturdy in color.  INSTALLATION TIPS:  Cut into the ground as deep as desired, some like the top of the edger to be flush with the grade and some like the top of the edge to stick above the ground.  PROS: Many varieties, great visual value, allow for fluent material blending, stays in place very well.  CONS: Cost and weight of material.            

BOULDER EDGE:  This type of edging is mainly used in tough sites with exposed surface roots, large grade changes and woody environments.  Very versatile with many sizes available.  A boulder edge can retain a large amount of soil, almost becoming a retaining wall.  INSTALLATION TIPS: Excavate as needed and set boulders into place.  Try to maximize the linear distance of each boulder to cut down on overall material needs.  PROS: very versatile installation, natural, may have on site and boulders cant really break.  CONS: Tough to maintain turf grass up to the front of the boulders. 

Planting screens are becoming more and more popular.  I do still like a 6′ privacy fence when the situation calls for it.  But, if you would like a natural looking wall of green that gets bigger and better with time, a living fence is for you. 

Evergreen vs. Deciduous,(leafy): Evergreens are great for year round privacy, they do grow a little slower and have a couple of potential problems if not addressed on the front end.  Winter burn from water loss due to inadequate moisture in the fall preceding current Winter.  Southern exposure issues with confused intercellular frozen water thawing then freezing when the sun goes down killing the cells, and perceived crowding.  Deciduous plants are great because of rapid growth, foliage color variation, blooms and leaf movement.  I love to plant screens with both evergreen and deciduous plants.  Most evergreens are generally triangular in shape while most deciduous trees are the opposite, planting together will help give you a great full instant block.  Planting screens are meant to be planted close together to allow the branches/needles to grow together and “block” the desired view.  

   A Planting screen can be as simple as planting 7 Lilac shrubs in a row along your property line or as intense as 25, 10′ Black Hills Spruce Trees along a busy street.

Planting screens also help block noise.  Look around, you will see smartly placed planting for many reasons throughout your area.

I do recommend to plant the screen initially with sizable plants to give the screen a chance to acclimate itself while giving visual benefit.  If you do plant small choose a fast growing variety to, “start growing money on trees” which is what you are doing planting a living privacy fence.

Pond-less waterfalls have got to be just about the most amazing landscape feature to have on your property.  The sight and sound of moving water will slow down the busiest of bodies to take breath and enjoy the view.  

No Maintenance: Pondless waterfalls require no chemicals or upkeep, just remove the pump before freeze, (unless you want to run the water year round with a small core heater).  

How it Works:  At the base of the waterfall where the water disappears into the ground there is a reservoir filled with rock.  All of the sides and shapes in the rock reservoir allow benifical bacterial to grow and filter the water.  A pump is also housed in this area to “pump” the water back to the top of the waterfall, anywhere from 1500 Gallons per hour to 9500.  There is a basin at the top of the falls in which the underground flexible tube connected to the pump pushes the water until the water “falls” into the stream.  There is a heavy duty underlayment and thick liner to keep the water contained.  Boulders or stone are used to naturalize the area while directing the water where to go.  An expanding waterfall foam is used to further control the flow of water maximizing those gallons per hour, but do not get the foam on your hands!    

Picture above is a pond-less waterfall with Limestone outcropping.  This picture pon the right is made with glacier boulders, and what a great way to disguise that air conditioner noise!  Below are a couple additional waterfalls throughout the west metro area.

Benefits:  Disguising Freeway noise, loud neighbors, barking dogs and urban sounds.  Adding a natural soothing sound to maximize the little time we have in our busy lives to relax.