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READER PHOTOS! Lola's garden in New York

comments (14) January 11th, 2012 in blogs

Michelle Gervais, Associate Editor

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Photo: Courtesy of Lola Stanton

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Today's photos are from Lola Stanton in Highland Lake, New York. She says, "I had wanted a water feature for years and years, something my husband did not see any use for! The yard slopes down and our basement always got flooded, so last year my husband built the wall himself and added a drainage system behind it. It took him two summers and 40 tons of bluestone. This was my chance for the water feature. He left a space for it. I had bought the lion's head for $10 on a trip to Canada 12 years ago and I wanted to use it. There was a sale on the tub and even though it was too small, that's all we could afford at the time. I helped dig the hole and the little solar pump came next. I planted dwarf ageratum and perennial creepers and by midsummer last year it had all filled in. I cast the cement leaves for the waterfall. It was fun and easy. Then the frogs moved in and it became a favorite spot for our three cats. Fortunately the frogs are faster than they are! Now my husband loves the fountain. After I started importing moss from my walks, he encouraged me to add more and more. The moss seems to love the spot since the sun does not hit it directly until after 12 noon. The sound of water is soothing and we tend to have our morning coffee on that bench next to it." What an incredible, successful project, Lola! And what a wonderful husband! Thanks for sharing this with us. ***Be sure to check out the second column of photos for what it looked like during construction--that is a LOT of dirt!***

Got a project you'd like to share with us? Email me! As always, I'll only respond if I plan to use your photos (I would LOVE to respond to everyone, but gosh, I just wish there was more time in a day!). And if I don't respond, it doesn't mean your garden isn't freaking AWESOME! I've just got this whole progression in my head...and sometimes I sit on things for a while....and oh, it's hard to explain.... mgervais@taunton.com

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posted in: hardscape, water, Seating, New York

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Comments (14)

basilico writes: I loved everyone's comments. We planted mostly herbs on the wall since the deer love anything else. Also, spider plants, trailing nasturtiums, globe thistle, cosmos, lavender. Anyhting with spines or strong smells deer don't seem to touch. Yes, our basement is dry now! My husband had some help to get started from a young man who knew what he was doing, and he definitely learned on the job. However he has a knack for it. He loves stone and just seems to know what to do.I was always so worried about him with all the heavy lifting. He referred to the project as "the wall" and I would say: which wall? He is a great guy. This coming summer I will send photos of our front walk, which he also did. Maybe Michelle will publish them? Thank you Michelle and everyone, and I am happy you enjoyed it. Lola Posted: 9:47 am on January 16th

terieLR writes: Great plan Lola! Your husband rocks! What a team. Posted: 4:09 pm on January 11th

pattyspencer writes: Wow - hubby did a lot of work and you're right - you don't get the right perspective on how large it really is until you look at the construction photo. If my yard sloped toward my house instead of away I'd want to do something like you've done. It's really really outstanding! Posted: 4:01 pm on January 11th

sheilaschultz writes: This is one of the prettiest flood abatement projects I've ever seen! Congrats on no more basement floods, and having such a lovely spot to start your day with a cup of coffee. Posted: 2:46 pm on January 11th

wittyone writes: This is just beautiful. Your husband made a wonderful job of it. Had he done anything like this in the past or did he learn on the job? Hope you gave him a great big thank you for all his hard work!

The little frog in the last photo obviously likes it----look at that big grin! Posted: 10:11 am on January 11th

Annek writes: Whoaaa. What an impressive project and a major accomplishment. It is beautiful. Posted: 10:02 am on January 11th

rwotzak writes: You're on a roll, Michelle! With all the inspirational photos you've been posting lately, I'm gonna be working double-time this spring to build all the garden features that I've been coveting! Posted: 9:59 am on January 11th

Joyce70 writes: I agree that the construction photos were truly amazing. It helps see the scope of the project and garden. Very helpful. Posted: 9:47 am on January 11th

wwross writes:

Very nice! Thats why you keep us husbands around for, right?

Michelle, I especially appreciate it when you show how people have come up with a beautiful solution to a garden "problem." Posted: 9:20 am on January 11th

Lisianne writes: The photo of your husband standing in the wall of dirt is amazing! Another commenter is right -- you don't see the scope of the project until you see the construction photos! I'm so glad you included these. Nice set of photos. My dogs drink from my small fountain just like your cats do.
Posted: 8:47 am on January 11th

meander1 writes: Gosh, when you see the see the photos of the bare earth and excavation, you really get a truer sense of what a big project this was to tackle. Sincerest kudos to both husband and wife working together to give themselves what is now a very special spot. The picture of the frog tucked happily in the leaves is adorable. Posted: 7:41 am on January 11th

Steepdrive writes: That's an amazing project. I hope it helped the basement flooding too. Love the frog in amongst the water plants. Posted: 7:26 am on January 11th

rgrey writes: Loved seeing your project. Wondering what flowers you planted be I d your wall. Posted: 6:34 am on January 11th

marciaelaine writes: Great ideas, just beautiful. We had a pond with iii fish when we lived in Miami, FL. We are trying to figure out one here in central FL, now after looking at yours I can see a way we can do it on our slightly sloping. Yard. Posted: 6:27 am on January 11th

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