A sweeping corner lot is nice.

A sweeping corner lot that sides to a major boulevard and bus stop can be a major nuisance if you don't have a fence to keep the uninvited bus riders out!

I was commissioned by my clients to  make the "people go away."

The budget was not enough to build a fence, but who says fences are the only solution for privacy?

I opted for a sweeping, bermed perimeter garden!

An open lot like this screams, "I've got a shady lawn for you to sit on!"

I figured that a mounded garden bed with dense plantings could function as a physical barrier to the exposed lawn and beautify the yard at the same time.

We started by removing the lawn from along the perimeter and creating a planting bed about five feet deep.

The native soil was rototilled and then topped with a 50/50 soil mix that I bought in bulk at the local landscape center.

The soil was mounded up 8 inches to lend instant prominence to the plants.

The specialty, 70/30 soil mix is 70 percent topsoil and 30 percent organic, composted planting mix.

The weight of the topsoil keeps the berms from "deflating" when watered.

Perimeter gardens offer beauty and separation from the  sidewalk.

I planted select plants in short, medium and tall heights for a dynamic look and dense coverage.

Another option was to plant a single plant variety and create a hedge, but they could do that themselves.

They wanted something different, that's why they called me!

Now the public can enjoy the beauty of this yard from a distance!

The homeowners love their new side yard and are happy to be able to use it for their own enjoyment.

It is a private and lush destination now that the plants have matured and grown in.

Make sure to use evergreen plants if you want to steal this idea and don't discount using plants with sharp thorns…get the point?!!