Ontong says landscape walls have become increasingly
popular backyard additions for many homeowners. They
add a stylistic flourish to a yard, and they are far more
durable than the wooden boxes used in many backyard
gardens. They can also be repurposed over time. For
example, if they're used as part of a sandpit when the kids
are small, they can be converted to a garden wall later on.
For those who favour a clean, straight line, Barkman offers
the large-format Architextures retaining wall, which fits
seamlessly in most modern spaces. Other retaining-wall
options include Keystone Compac III blocks, which feature
a textured face and can be used for both large and small
projects. There's also the Bridgewood wall, which looks and
feels like wood but will never rot or warp.
Regardless of what you choose for your castle's yard, Ontong
says a big part of the appeal of hardscaping is that it's more
durable and requires far less maintenance than grass or plants.
"It saves you a lot of time compared to mowing a lawn or
weeding," she says. "A lot of people actually convert all
of their backyards because of that. You don't really have to
maintain it and you can enjoy it all year-round."
POH
A BIG PART OF THE APPEAL OF HARDSCAPING IS THAT IT'S MORE DURABLE
AND REQUIRES FAR LESS MAINTENANCE THAN GRASS OR PLANTS.
Parade of Homes SPRING 2022 45
