Landscaping a Sloped Lot

Because the Timeless Home's lot rises 30 feet in less than 60 yards from the street to the back of the house, landscape project manager Anne Wilfer had reinforced retaining walls built on both sides of the driveway to support the soil.

Landscape designer Anne Wilfer's circular plan for this steeply sloped property keeps the stream natural as required but employs trees, shrubs, and retaining walls to hold the sloped banks. To walk from one side of the house to the other, a bluestone pathway connects the upper and lower decks with a series of steps. By planting Carolina hemlock, rhododendron, leucothoe (also known as doghobble), Florida anise, and inkberry—all native trees and shrubs—in groupings, she was able to create a low-maintenance yard with privacy.

Carolina hemlocks, with large, 40-inch root balls, await planting. To shield the back of the house from neighbors, the 8-foot saplings were planted in a row, where they will grow to about 30 feet.

Completed retaining wall.

A French drain system was installed along the base of the retaining walls.

An elastic mesh filter "sock" is placed over the 4-inch perforated pipe before laying it in place.

Brick veneer goes over the poured-concrete retaining wall for a more attractive finish.

A stonemason uses local Lithonia granite and portland cement mixed with stone dust — a recipe that hasn't changed in over 100 years.

A 90-foot-long stone retaining wall runs across the back of the property.

The first-floor deck is made with 100 percent plastic decking. Architect Jeremiah Eck chose copper to top the barrel-roofed screened-in porch.

The basement level deck is made with a plastic composite material.