Michael Grab is an artist that has been ‘rock balancing’ since 2008. Much of his recent work has been done around the Boulder, Colorado area. Grab—yes,that’s his real name—finds the process both spiritual and therapeutic.

Grab explains: “The most fundamental element of balancing in a physical sense is finding some kind of ‘tripod’ for the rock to stand on. Every rock is covered in a variety of tiny to large indentations that can act as a tripod for the rock to stand upright, or in most orientations you can think of with other rocks. By paying close attention to the feeling of the rocks, you will start to feel even the smallest clicks as the notches of the rocks in contact are moving over one another. Parallel to the physical element of finding tripods, the most fundamental non-physical element is harder to explain through words. In a nutshell, I am referring to meditation, or finding a zero point or silence within yourself. Some balances can apply significant pressure on your mind and your patience. The challenge is overcoming any doubt that may arise.”

“We hired Nancy because of her artistic background, as it was our desire for
the finished product to be a work or art, as opposed to another rock rearranging
landscape project. The end result far exceeded our expectations.”
- Denise Grice, owner

The client wanted an environmentally appropriate landscape, aware of the drought conditions in her Colorado High Plains area. She wanted a manageable yard to experiment with and not mowing a lawn. The retaining wall built into the slope provided two levels for the yard. We selected plants with color, variety and vitality for lasting interest and xeriscape grasses along the dry creek drainage.

Extensive flagstone retaining walls, plaza, stairs and walkways fulfilled the client’s desire to have a more aesthetic façade and comfortable sitting area to welcome friends and neighbors to this intimate Denver property.

Award of Excellence 2012 ALCC

“Nancy provided us with a top-notch landscape design for our new house. She was willing to research some complicated elements and did a good job of overseeing all the design and installation work associated with the job. This allowed us to get exactly the landscaping that we wanted.”
- Evan Anderman, owner

Extensive ornamental grasses create movement and rhythm, alongside a narrow pool bordering one side of the home. The green roof reduces temperature fluctuations, summer and winter, saving energy costs. Xeric trees, shrubs, groundcovers, perennials, and grasses were selected for drought and heat tolerance for reduced water use.

Award of Excellence 2012 ALCC

The Andermans wanted to walk out into a garden from the second floor of their home. They are very environmentally conscientious and desired a rooftop natural habitat. So, the green roof was constructed with a combination of native xeric ground covers, perennials and grasses, as well as a recycled wood deck.

Extensive flagstone retaining walls, plaza, stairs and walkways fulfilled the client’s desire to have a more aesthetic façade and comfortable sitting area to welcome friends and neighbors to this intimate Denver property.

The Andermans wanted to walk out into a garden from the second floor of their home. They are very environmentally conscientious and desired a rooftop natural habitat. So, the green roof was constructed with a combination of native xeric ground covers, perennials and grasses, as well as a recycled wood deck.

Marvin and Bobbi Gomez wanted a complete renovation of their property. They had drainage problems, only a small landing outside the back door, a poorly constructed retaining wall, a lack of privacy, and an eroded side yard slope.We built a stone retaining wall enclosing the front porch and installed a new paver entrance walkway. Plantings complimented the residential site for size, texture and color. They enhance the outside driveway area as well as the new terraced area around the porch while being easy to maintain.

Around back we installed another stone retaining wall and a two-level deck along with a paver patio on the ground level for relaxing and entertaining. Another treated timber retaining wall in the side yard was built to control the slope. Two layers of trees, aspen and pines, were planted along the back and sides to create intimacy and privacy.

Both front and backyards were re-graded, the irrigation system renovated, and new sod installed. Marvin and Bobbi both love their new yard and we enjoyed creating it for them.

Clever…and Sustainable!

Vertical planters take all kinds of shapes these days. There is just no limit to imaginative ways to go up!

Vertical planting in wooden pallets, like that shown here, give the opportunity to grow decorative flowers and plants, or vegetables and strawberries in limited spaces.

Plantings can be used as major elements in the landscape, space dividers, decor or as a way to enjoy plantings without the space for a garden.

And, types of planters include hanging pots, magnetic pots, fabric hangers…and wood pallets.

Click here for a link to the instructions for making the wooden pallet planter above. And, click here to see even more ideas of “going vertical” with your plants! And, contact Nancy Eastman at Art of the Land for the perfect application of vertical planters in your landscape.