AboutMarc Chapelle, ASLA Expertise As a licensed Landscape Architect, I can answer general questions about style and design, ideas and suggestions for site amenities, larger site-planning issues, or recreation and park design.
IF YOU JUST WANT A PLANT SUGGESTION GO HERE: http://www.growit.com/PlantInfo/LandScape.htm
I prefer you ask somebody else why your petunias are not as perky as they should be...I'd LOVE to tell you how can use those petunias to increase your home's value!
Experience Member, American Society of Landscape Architects (ALSA.org); Past clients have been mostly contractors, developers and local civil engineering/architecture firms, plus the occasional homeowner. Currently, I design recreational facilities for the National Park Service (DOI).
I am located in the dry Great Basin area (Greater Nevada/Utah), so the use of landscape materials OTHER than plants is emphasized. As a licensed Landscape Architect on the East and West Coasts, I have been in practice over 20 years.
Organizations ASLA (ASLA.org)
Education/Credentials BSLA in Landscape Architecture, 1989
Many additional seminars, educational venues, and classes (both taught & attended)
Awards and Honors Best Multifamily project, 1993
Best Model Home Landscaping, 1993
Question Mark,
Our home has just been approved for a four lane street to be put in right beside us. The sound from just a 2 lane is already a problem. Can you advise what kind of trees or shrubs that would best help with all the traffic noise? Also, we would like to construct a small yard within our very large yard for some privacy and I cannot find any relevant searches to help. Can you help? Thanks in advance for your help. kathy
Answer Hello, Kathy;
Sound walls – Unfortunately, plans don’t do an adequate job of cutting or reducing sound (the fancy, designer word for it is “attenuation”). The best way to control sound is distance from the source. Even though it sounds like you have a larger lot, it may not be easy for you to move your house! Even being uphill/downhill from the noise will affect sound travel.
This is not a new problem, and there are products that have been developed to combat this recurring problem. Examples of solid walls that either reflect or absorb the sound can be found here:
Soundfighter.com
Tufbarrier.com
These 2 examples are for commerical applications, but can still be installed in a residential area, OR you can build one yourself (concrete walls, earth berms or a combination work best, but solid fences can work too) The landscaping plant treatments are there to soften the wall more than lower the sound…There have been technical studies of different plant materials, studying their ability to lower noise, but he are talking only minor decibel differences between pines, thick shrubs, or heavy plantings.
A caution: If you do decide to build a wall, many municipalities have “fence”, and/or “landscape” ordinances or your local subdivision may have restrictions on design style or wall height. Sorry to be the bringer of sad news…If you consult a local landscape designer or architect, they may be able to help with placement of walls & plants for maximum benefit.
Privacy patio design - obviously sound is an issue, and adding a source of “white” noise will help –a gurgling fountain or even wind chimes. As to design, I find that a quick Google.com search is VERY helpful – type in “patio landscape design”, or “landscape design privacy” and you get pretty good results. (I’m sorry I cannot recommend any sites at the moment, as I am traveling and limited to dial-up!) You can check some of my previous answers and see my responses, as I know I’ve suggested privacy design web-spots before (like the design sections at landscaping.about.com & HGTV.com)
