Riverbed Garden

Sylvania, Ohio

The small landscape bed in this sprawling farm property was plagued by poor drainage. Land locked by wide paved driveways or mature trees on each side, it would be impossible to divert stormwater runoff away from the area and installing an area drain seemed impractical. Instead, the landscaper for the owner engaged with Boulevard Studios for a solution that would be attractive yet friendly to the always-moist soils. The area was thus designed as a marsh, employing mostly native plants that can tolerate wet conditions. An eye-catching aggregate “riverbed” through the lowest parts of the island helps contain excess water, thus preventing washout of mulch and soil, while lending a more rustic look to the bed. Boulevard Studios prepared a series of hand sketches for review and approval by the property owner, followed by a detailed layout which helped the landscape contractor accurately locate the new material within the bed.