Sloped yards pose a number of challenges when it comes to adding new landscaping and creating functional outdoor living spaces.
The Kansas City area is famously hilly with many abrupt elevation changes. When dramatic shifts in elevation are part of a homeowner’s own property, they can dramatically reduce the amount of usable outdoor living space. Rainwater drainage can become a real issue when steep slopes make it difficult to control the speed and direction of water after a downpour.
The result can be over-hydration issues for grass and other plantings, as well as soil erosion, both of which can be expensive to correct. Left unmitigated, a steeply sloped yard can make it nearly impossible for a homeowner to achieve the look, feel, and functionality they’d like from their outdoor living space.
Mild slopes can be lessened by removing, adding, or grading soil to level the yard, which is a viable option for many slope scenarios. However, when the slope of a yard is dramatic and the available yard space doesn’t allow effective leveling, the best solution for reclaiming problematic outdoor space may be the addition of strategically placed retaining walls.
Leveling Landscape with Retaining Walls
When installing retaining walls on a slope, include pathways and stairs for easy access.
Thoughtfully designed retaining walls can transform a tricky slope or steep hillside into functional space ready-made to get growing. Planning before planting any new shrubs or flowers is a critical first step, though, as it’s essential that any new retaining wall installation is well-built and stable.
Retaining walls and related elevation shifts play a crucial role in the proper drainage of a property. A new retaining wall can increase the value of a home well beyond basic aesthetics.
Professionally planned and installed retaining walls are designed and built to last for decades. Large or small, they must be engineered and constructed to withstand specific load requirements. Appropriate drainage must be installed behind a retaining wall during its construction to effectively manage the egress of water that inevitably collects behind the wall. This is typically handled via a system of gravel and buried drainage pipe that efficiently routes water out while avoiding soil erosion.
Heinen works with reliable manufactured stone suppliers like Unilock and Techo-Bloc.
Property owners have multiple options when it comes to choosing materials for constructing the retaining wall itself. Wood timbers can be a popular choice because of their organic appearance and relative affordability. But wood construction comes with some drawbacks, including longevity and structural integrity. Even treated wood remains an organic material subject to moisture problems, insect issues, and natural rot and breakdown over time.
Manufactured stone is a much more reliable, long-term choice. Today’s manufactured stone comes in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and textures that make matching retaining walls to existing hardscape elements or home styles virtually seamless. Manufactured stone is made of reinforced concrete, which greatly increases the stability of terraced spaces. Plus, manufactured stone is decidedly low-maintenance—an added bonus!
Terraced Landscaping
Thoughtful plant selection leads to healthier, longer-lasting landscaping.
With retaining walls in place, the newly created landscaping beds are ready for planting! Tiered spaces created by the retaining walls provide the perfect opportunity to showcase a variety of plantings with different textures, colors, and seasonal blooms.
First, though, take note of the amount of sunlight and drainage capabilities of each terraced landscape bed before planting. Typically, the uppermost tier will receive the most sun and, thanks to gravity, drain the fastest. Drought-resistant plantings—like coneflowers, asters, and bluestem—are best suited for these conditions. Lower levels will be cooler and retain more moisture, making them ideal for plantings that thrive in shade, like ferns, hostas, and other perennials.
Terraced landscaping naturally creates the effect of layering, but this can be taken a step further with a careful selection of plantings. Using taller standing plantings in the higher tiers can help to provide additional privacy, while mid-size and small plantings on the lower tiers add depth and dimension.
For help planning a thorough landscaping plan for terraced landscaping beds, use Heinen’s free-to-use Online Plant Catalog! The catalog includes nearly 200 different plantings ranging from ground cover and perennials to large shrubs and trees, all selected for their natural affinity for the Kansas City climate. To help homeowners make the most informed landscaping decisions, each featured plant in the catalog includes photos and useful information about preferred sun exposure, blooming season, maturity size, and more. Avoid costly replacements later by making smarter planting choices first!
Need a hand with your retaining wall plan? Call the Outdoor Living Pros at Heinen!
From large-scale retaining walls to picture-perfect landscaping design, the Heinen team is Kansas City’s go-to outdoor living experts. With over three decades of experience and a reputation for top-quality work, Heinen brings functional beauty to every outdoor space!
