The strength of stone and the warmth of flowers
Iconic New England: the stone wall
One of the most quintessential features of a New England landscape are stone walls, originally placed to designate the borders of farm fields and pastures. We still see the remains of them today on properties throughout our area. Some of these history-filled stones can be blended into a beautiful new wall, designed and constructed by Gerbert & Sons’ landscape architect and expert masonry team. A freestanding wall works well to establish property lines or other boundaries and can create a stunning backdrop to showcase colorful flowers and shrubs. A retaining wall kills two birds with one stone – adding a natural element of texture and visual appeal to your landscape, while holding back higher land from lower land. This gives a clean line and definition to a sloping area, which allows you to avoid soil erosion and introduces more usable land to your property. Just like a freestanding wall, a retaining wall just begs you to add colorful plantings and enhance the whole area. Often these walls are complemented with the addition of natural stone steps and walkways, joining these two or more newly created levels and adding even more drama and appeal. Classic stone walls can be built with mortar or cement, which is often necessary to add strength to a retaining wall, or with a dry-laid method, placing the stones on one another with skilled workmanship, much like a jigsaw puzzle. Adding a gorgeous stone walls will bring character and value to your home for years to come.
Have the experts at Gerbert & Sons show you how a natural stone wall can add function as well as beauty to your property.
Add a striking oasis of color with a custom container garden
Gerbert & Sons is fortunate to have Amy E. Uva as our resident horticulture expert and Master Gardener, an experienced creator of glorious container gardens for your home or commercial property. Each small jewel of a garden brings vibrant color and natural beauty, helping welcome guests to your door, highlight an entrance way, or soften an awkward corner area. They offer a flexible, versatile and easily-maintained garden space, bringing lovely touches to areas of your property that aren’t accessible for a standard garden. Also- no more weeds! And the risk of soil-borne diseases to these container gardens is minimal. Once created and installed, we will help tend them to ensure sure they stay their brightest and healthiest, keeping a focus on moisture control as we head into the hotter, more demanding days of summer. With Amy’s expertise, your containers can be updated each season to use the best plantings for any given time of year, including festive seasonal creations for the winter holidays, complete with lights. She will incorporate a personal piece you may already own or advise the perfect container for your particular space, taking into account final plant sizes and location, and consider your favorite colors and species in your custom design.
There are a few design themes used when creating a well-balanced and eye-catching container garden. One method is referred to as the “Thrill – Fill – Spill” arrangement, that places an upright plant in the center to “thrill”, “filled” with surrounding accent plants and completed with a few that “spill” over the side of the container. Another approach is blending, using only 2 or 3 varieties that are are considered “fillers” and weaving them together to create a tapestry of color, shape and texture. Visual interest can also be increased by grouping or “nesting” a few complementing containers together, allowing each to accent the others. Or, for a more dramatic approach, have just one magnificent plant in a single container to really focus the eye and make a statement. The possibilities are truly endless, so call on Amy’s experience to guide you when adding an island of nature to your property. Gerbert & Sons is also ready to assist with your vegetable garden as this season’s growing season gets into full swing.
Rely on the professionals at Gerbert & Sons for all your gardening needs.
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