Balard Instant Screening
Challenge
Another frequently encountered challenge here in Seattle, and a sign of rapid, more dense development, is the rise of 3+ story residential buildings at truly short setbacks to property lines, creating a fish-bowl exposure to adjacent properties. The clients’ request was to get plants which are evergreen, and as tall and as dense of screening as possible, as quickly as possible.
Solution
By designing a raised landscape timber planter bed that is tiered, gently stepping down to follow the grade of the property, we were able to easily and quickly gain 2’ in elevation when planting. We were also able to easily install bamboo barrier within the raised planters to keep the bamboo contained and growing exactly where we want it, spreading only within the planters to fill in over time and give ever more screening precisely where it is needed.
Working with a wide range of growers and specialty nurseries spread throughout our region, we were able to source, deliver and install 8 specimen bamboos ranging in size from 12’ – 18’ in height. We then selected the tallest/fullest and strategically placed them within the raised bed to provide instantaneous screening. Instant, multi-story, evergreen privacy that is tasteful as well as an elegant solution.
Before & After
