The Stancato home is located just above the Shenandoah Riding Center in the Galena Territory. The home has a beautiful long valley view and may be the best place in the area to watch the Territory's 4th of July fireworks. The Stancato landscape features traditional plants (e.g. spirea, hosta, flowering crabapple) with rustic and/or native hardscape elements (e.g. native stone retaining walls, flagstone front walk). HARDSCAPE: Since the property is sloped, we installed four native quarry stone retaining walls on the east side of the home. The stone walls fit in nicely with the rural location. They also serve to channel the rain water away from the home and to shape the lawn so that it has a gentle enough slope to be mowed. Between the lower two retaining walls, the Stancatos asked us to install a brick patio. The patio sits in the afternoon shade directly outside a basement door. Its a great place to sit with an evening margarita. Perhaps the most interesting hardscape feature is the Anamosa flagstone stepping stone front walk. Although typical front walks are more formal, the stepping stones make a great walking surface while keeping with the rustic feel of the home site. The stepping stones also act as a border for some of the plant beds. PLANTSCAPE: As we mentioned above, the plantings feature mostly traditional plants with long bloom times or multi-season interest. As you can see from the photos, the Stancatos have spent a good deal of time maintaining and nurturing the plants. In addition to the planting we did, Irene also asked that small areas in the planting beds be set aside for planting annuals. The set aside areas allow fresh looks to be added to the landscape each year without a huge time or cost commitment. We would like to thank the Stancatos for allowing us to show you their landscape. PLEASE CLICK ON PICS TO ENLARGE. Brick paver patio (note size and color variations in brick) Spirea & Daylily in full bloom Anamosa stepping stone walkway Brick patio, stone wall, flowering crabapple, potentilla (groundcover below wall by owner) Native split stone step & Anamosa stepping stone walk Front door Native quarry stone retaining walls Hosta garden with stone edging . Address: 4492 North Elizabeth Road / Scales Mound / IL / 61075 Voice: 815.777.8907 Fax: 815.777.9465 E-mail: timplandscaping@yahoo.com