Going in circles: Designing a circular lawn
Regular readers know that I’ve moped about the trampoline that hulks in my garden. In my old garden, I disguised it with a trellis screen. In the new garden, we’ve installed it on the lowest level of the lot, where it’s partially screened by a clump of trees. But who am I kidding? It’s the circular focal point of that side of the yard.
Then too, there’s all that lawn. It just fills up the empty space, undefined, amorphous, boring. Here’s the view from the deck, looking toward the pool…
Looking the other way, toward the pool pump enclosure (nice, that, eh? A transformation of this structure must occur, and soon)…
And looking alongside the deck, beneath the crepe myrtle. Can I just add that skinny, ruler-straight beds along the foundation are one of my pet peeves? Unless it’s done with a contemporary flair, such beds often look pinched and anemic. And the stone edging that “cuts in half” the tree trunk? Not good. The tree should be inside the bed, not straddling the bed and the lawn.
When I last posted about the trampoline—which my kids love, so it isn’t going anywhere—I got an intriguing suggestion from Linda, whose garden I’ve admired tremendously at Each Little World: “Can you introduce any other circular elements so it’s clear that this is an intentional feature? Maybe some interlocking groundcover circles or clumps of grass or yuccas? Circles on the fence? Then it’s the circle garden and not the trampoline corner.”
Hmm. That got me thinking, and as I looked around, I noticed other circular elements already in place: the pool surround includes two semi-circular patios. One is shown above.
The other one is here.
I decided to play with a homemade compass to draw out a circle on the lawn. Tying a rope to a metal stake I’d driven into the ground, I stretched the rope taut and marked a perfect sixteen-and-a-half-foot circle around the stake with spray paint.
Prying up the stone that edged the surrounding beds, I used the rock to outline the circle and four paths that branch off from it. This isn’t how it would look if finished; it’s just a way of experimenting with shapes. But looking down from the deck, I see that the circle has brought definition and order to the lawn and to the entire space. An ornament from my old garden marks the center point.
Suddenly I’m reminded of an inspiring image by Steve Silk that I saw on Gardening Gone Wild not long ago. Would such a formal element work so close to the naturalistic back of the lot? Yes, I think it will.
I ran out of rock to mark probable pathways, but spray paint outlined the rest. Here would be one path to the trampoline and pool surround.
And here is the path to the pool pump area, plus another route to the trampoline.
The “Lion King” rock of our back yard. Much playing is done on these rocks, and they should work well too as natural steps up the slope. You can see the outline of a path that will follow the contours of the outcropping.
Looking back down that path toward the pool, the circles are very evident, even without the trampoline in view. I think I like this. Even if my husband does call it Stonehenge right now.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I am getting excited about seeing more of your garden evolving. You have some excellent ideas percolating. Just remind your husband that Stonehenge is a marvelous magical place that people
from all over the world go to see and feel.
I just laughed, Lisa. It’s been fun playing around with the rocks. But ultimately the edging will be a cut limestone for a neater, more precise look. —Pam
I’ve never seen a more suitable example of how to create a relationship between disparate areas in a garden. You’re going to love the design. Keep the updates going so that we can follow this progress.
Cameron
I will, Cameron. I had a circular theme in my last garden too, but in the front yard, not the back. This is a fun change. —Pam
Ooooooooh! I’m getting tingly all over just thinking about how good everything is going to look! I’m excited for you Pam!-Randy
Thanks, Randy. Embarking on a new design is an exciting moment. I can’t wait to see how it turns out. —Pam
Pam I am thrilled to have been of help. It looks wonderful. There is nothing more interesting or of more help to the rest of us than to see this creative process in progress. I gave my husband a huge granite boulder with a pink stripe (pegmatite) running through it for his 50th birthday! It has a slight dip in the top making it perfect for sitting and today it’s the centerpiece of our “Moon Garden.” We are crazy for rocks and I’ve thought of going on a “stones” tour beginning in Ireland and all the way up through Britain and ending at the Outer Hebrides for the solstice.
Thanks again, Linda. Your suggestion bounced around in my head for a week or so until I decided to get out there and play around with the design on the ground. As I mentioned to another commenter, above, I used a circular theme in the front garden at my last house, so I already knew I liked using that shape. Playing up the trampoline circle in the back yard, as you suggested, is such a playful idea, and I love it.
Have you showed pics of your Moon Garden yet? I’m intrigued! —Pam
Pam, I do like seeing bloggers getting ideas from each other. I admire your talent in transferring this to the ground. I think it is going to be a lovely idea. In my last garden I had a circular lawn and I have a circle bed in my current garden, I wish the garden lent itself to more.
Looking forward to the end result, thank you for sharing the planning stage. Best wishes Sylvia (England)
While it’s tempting to wait to blog about something until it’s all finished and looking great, I figured that with this new garden I’d show the good, the bad, and the ugly—all part of the process of getting the garden I want. I’m glad you’re enjoying the process. —Pam
I think I like it too. Aren’t plenty o’rocks a great thing to have.
They rock. —Pam
I, too, enjoy watching you transform your new home’s landscape into a very personalized garden! The concept of repeating elements –shapes, plants, colors, etc–is a very powerful design tool, and you’ve done a fantastic job implementing that concept here. In fact, you may wish to continue the circle theme (to a lesser extent) throughout the rest of your yard to create even more continuity.
Also, Pam, I just want to say, again, how much I enjoy your blog. Your writing is wonderfully expressive, yet concise. I think you have the makings of a good book here (doesn’t everyone else agree?)—I hope you’re working towards that goal!
Best wishes,
Jocelyn
Wow, Jocelyn, thanks so much for the very nice compliments and encouragements. You made my day!
As you suggest, I feel sure that I will be continuing the circle theme, at least in the back yard. It’s going to be too fun to stop with just this grassy area. —Pam
Excellent, I really love the look. It is very exciting to see the design emerge so clearly. I just love the Lion King rock! gail
Isn’t our “Pride Rock” a hoot? 🙂 —Pam
ps…wow how many times did I use the word love! An excellent design with the circles..inspired. gail
Gail, I like the word “love,” especially in connection with my garden. 😉 —Pam
I think maybe you’re on to something, Pam. It really would be helpful to camouflage the trampoline, but barring that, working the elemental shapes into the landscape might just be the cure till you’ve got an empty nest.
Brenda
I think so too. It’s going to be fun to play up this theme. —Pam
I love this idea. I love rocks too and if you have seen my garden you would also see many of my local rocks used as pathways and borders for beds. I love rocks of all kinds. I can’t wait to see how you finish this project up(-:
I love rock work in a garden, as well as natural looking boulders. It’s great to have some on hand, as you do, to use for edging and whatnot. —Pam
Very clever here! Can’t wait to see what you will do with this new garden area.
Me too, Darla. It’s an evolutionary process—which is to say that I’m having to be patient until I can buy the edging rock I really want…and compost…and plants…and mulch… —Pam
I had the same thought: if you can’t beat them, join them? I like the idea of accentuating the circle of the trampoline and expanding on that theme. Can’t wait to see what you ultimately do with it!
Sometimes the best idea is the simplest one. I like the way you put it: if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. —Pam
Very exciting to read what may be the breakthrough for you in your new garden. There’s gotta be a circular stock tank involved somehow, too, right?
Oh, you know it, Denise. I’ve already contemplated putting one in the middle, but I think it’ll go elsewhere. Stay tuned. —Pam
GREAT idea Pam, and I like your homemade compass + the use of spray paint. Did you use special landscaping paint?
Nah, I used what was in the garage: a can of black spray paint, and when that ran out, I switched to brown. —Pam
Great example and description of how you can work with what you have, and transform it into something that coordinates and ties everything together.
Thanks, Jan. It’s a process, but that’s the fun of it. —Pam
Phew! Lots of work but it looks like it will be great. I hate the skinny straight beds, too. Unfortunately we’ve got a couple in our backyard. No changing them for now. We’re leaving room for dogs and son to frolic.
Yes, dogs and kids require compromises to keep everyone happy. Hence the trampoline in my own garden. 🙂 —Pam
just amazing, Pam. Bold and inviting. You rock!
Thanks, Julie. —Pam
I like all the overlapping circles. Maybe you should incorporate something under and around the trampoline to make it look more like part of the plan. Edging and some mulch or something. I know the tramp. has to sit level, but I bet you could figure something out.
It’s still evolving. Look for more circles, Chris, as it goes along. —Pam
Pam: Yes!!!! Looks much more tied together already!
Strong geometry makes a big difference, doesn’t it, Chookie? —Pam
Very, very nice. Will you keep the lawn in the circle or put something else in? Can’t wait to see how it ends up.
Oops, now I see you entitled your post a “circular lawn”! I still like it. 🙂
My kids insist on keeping some grass, Jean, so I’m going to see how it holds up here. —Pam
Pam,
I, too, really appreciate that you are sharing the transformation process. So often we are inclined to show the end result – but half the fun is getting there. You are so creative, and it is really enjoyable to watch as your new garden takes shape. 🙂
Liisa
Thanks, Liisa. I’m glad to know you’re enjoying the caterpillar stage as much as the butterfly stage. —Pam
A dramatic improvement, without even planting anything–yet! I love the circle garden.
Thanks, Chuck. Hey, are you going to Spring Fling Chicago? —Pam
I love your circle theme Pam. We ended up doing our English garden in a circle theme based on a curved wall. It really worked well. It is amazing how it can tie everything together.
I was enamored with your circle stepping stones, Jenny, and I remember some of the other circular elements you’ve used. I need a refresher tour though. 😉 —Pam
Circles are a great way to organize the unorganized! I’ve done it with circulation paths myself when trying to link unrelated spaces together that were way out of alignment. L’Enfant also used this method in laying out the streets of Washington, DC to make order of the chaos.
Good point, Pam. Circles have been used to great effect in landscaping for a very long time. Let’s not forget Stonehenge after all. It’s not quite the effect I’m going for, of course… —Pam
It’s fun to watch things progress, Pam. I think the circle theme will look great, especially when you begin to fill in your garden with more plants. It’s going to be an enjoyable project for you, I’m sure.
Oh, it already is, Kerri. What is more fun than playing in a garden—or in this case, a garden-to-be? —Pam
So that’s what you’ve been up to lately. I must say I love it. Because of how you staged the photos, I saw the circles immediately, and I could visualize a circular lawn even before you laid the stones. Love the paths emanating from the circle. You are so creative.~~Dee
I’m glad you like it, Dee. But of course I took this idea right from Linda’s suggestion and from Steve’s picture. All I had to do was lay it out on the lawn. Isn’t blogging great this way? We get so many inspirational ideas from our fellow bloggers. —Pam
I love the circular plan. Now it looks more & more like a natural wondering of direction. Fits well to all locations.
It did fit well with the paths that are necessary in this area. That’s what clinched it for me as a good decision. —Pam
Pam, when I saw those stones lying in that circular form, the first I thought of was a beautiful labyrinth! I wanted to put one in my yard, but I just don’t have enough room to create it, though I tried laying one out anyway to find out. It’s probably more my style choice than yours, though it would be fun to see it created with plants as borders. And interesting, as soon as you put those rocks on the ground, my eye completely didn’t notice the trampoline anymore. Good job!
Hi, Robin. I do enjoy labyrinths, and if I had the space I might consider one. This layout does sort of resemble one, especially as it’s not entirely clear at first glance (to some people) what the heck I’m doing. Ha! —Pam
I wonder how long the kids will be in love with their trampoline? You may be redesigning again in a couple of years! In the meantime, what a clever idea for another circular feature.
Robin Wedewer
Redesigning again in a couple of years is a given no matter what, Robin. 😉 I did so in my old garden all the time. The continual search for perfection…or maybe just an excuse to buy new plants. —Pam
Pam, I’m eager to see what you do next!
Thanks for following along with me in the new garden, Cindy. —Pam
I love the circle. What kind of spray paint did you use to mark it? Are you worried about any toxic effects?
Hi, MSS. I never worry about doing anything to my lawn. I used regular, old spray paint to outline my circle. I figure that line will be dug out anyway to accommodate a stone edging, eventually. —Pam
Love the circle theme! And hubby is so clever with the stonehenge tease. Eventually the edges of our grass will come out to leave lawn in the middle, but I keep waffling on the shape (good thing we can’t afford the changes for a while). Thanks for the good ideas – I’ll have to think about how something like that would work in my yard, too.
Regards, VW
Blogs are so great for sharing these ideas, aren’t they? Have fun with your thinking phase. I like that phase because anything is possible! —Pam
That’s a great design solution. I like the juxtaposition of the formal lines with the wildness. It’s going to look terrific.
Thanks, MMD. I think so too. —Pam
Great use of the circle idea. I especially like how the paths radiate out like spokes. And as far as your husband’s comment about Stonehenge…I’d call it a compliment. It’s the ultimate rock garden.
The “spokes” are a key element of the circle. I knew the design wasn’t going to work unless the paths were opposite each other on the “wheel.” Luckily, it worked out. I’ll show more pics later, as I start to edge in the design with finished stone. —Pam
Oooh, I love this idea! I remember how much I liked the circle theme in Jenny’s garden, and I think it’s going to look spectacular in yours, too.
Thanks, Lori. I hope it one day looks even half as good as Jenny’s lovely garden. —Pam
I love your blog, Pam. And I really learned a lot today from the photos and the techniques you’re using. I hardly noticed the trampoline in the background of the photo where you show the painted circle! You’ve hit on a great idea! Keep up the hard work on the blog. I check in several times a week.
Thanks, Kim! I’m so glad to know that you visit regularly. Happy digging in your own garden. —Pam
So … I love Stonehenge! Great idea – work with it instead of against it — just brilliant. And it will solve many of the pathway problems with which you were already grappling. A two-fer!
Circles seem so elemental, don’t they? I like having this one as the anchor for the east side of the back garden. —Pam
I can see a lot of lawn removal in your future.
As always, Kathy. —Pam