Backyard Retreat at Sanctuary Pointe
This project was located on a beautiful corner lot in the Sanctuary Pointe neighborhood. New build homes offer a blank slate for landscape design, but this lot had a few unique features to incorporate into our landscape design. The backyard was forested with beautiful mature Ponderosa Pines, as was the entire neighborhood. To be sure the neighborhood’s native trees are preserved, the HOA adopted Firewise landscape guidelines. The lot’s topography, coupled with the home’s walk out basement, meant that the builders drainage swale ended up being between the house and most of the back yard, leaving a disconnected feeling.
In addition to the site considerations, our wonderful clients had a strong sense of the elements they wanted to incorporate into their new landscape. Among the requests were a large water feature, a fire pit area they could enjoy as a family. Another element they wanted was an easy way to move around between the front and back.
One of the primary challenges was maintaining the drainage pattern in an attractive and cohesive way. To resolve this, we began by digging back the lower area of the backyard and building a retaining wall. This gave us more space in which to create a cobbled dry creek bed for the drainage swale, a walkway, and room for colorful plantings.
Above the wall and within the trees, we created our patio area. Centered around a natural gas fire pit constructed with boulders, it acts as a destination point within the back yard. Next to the patio area, we built a natural styled water feature which utilizes the elevation created by our retaining wall, and it incorporates falls, rapids and ponds, adding elements of both sound and movement to the landscape. The water feature’s natural styling complements the forested surroundings, making it a striking yet cohesive part of the landscape. This rustic outdoor space next to the water has proved to be a favorite gathering place for our clients.
A gravel path winds around the home, utilizing natural stone slabs for stairs on the steep side yard and large bridge slabs to carry it over the water feature’s stream. This path provides a connection between the front yard, deck, and fire pit patio, emphasizing the natural flow of the landscape and enhancing accessibility throughout.
Incorporating a Firewise plant palette was essential, considering the property’s proximity to the forest. Plant choices included low-maintenance, fire-resistant species that thrive in Colorado’s climate, providing seasonal interest while minimizing wildfire risk. This careful selection of trees, ground covers, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials ensures both safety and aesthetic appeal, adding vibrant textures and colors throughout the seasons. We also utilized native grass to transition between the maintained landscape areas and natural surroundings.
The completed landscape exceeded the client’s expectations, offering distinct areas for relaxation, entertainment, and enjoyment of the natural surroundings.