Sculpture Garden

Driscoll's design features simple lines and a simple planting plan so that nothing detracts from the sculpture. She will be adding a few other sculptures but she is wary of clutter, so she focuses on making the garden inviting while allowing visitors to move easily between pieces of art and plantings. Driscoll intends to make a statement with the sculptures she selects, and she will add plants in planter boxes to accent, but not detract from, the chosen pieces.

Step 1: Building the Stone Planter Rings

It's time to build the stone rings that will serve as planters: they're meant to be decorative, but they will also form the border of the outdoor art gallery. The spaces between the rings will serve as the openings, or the doors, of the room.

Form a simple circular frame (make its diameter about half the diameter of the planter) from one-half inch rebar to add strength to the structure. Cover the rebar frame with ready-mix concrete, filling the ditch to the top (figure B). Begin setting rocks--flat side facing outward--on the concrete, following the curve of the rebar frame, to form a stone wall. Build upward behind that wall with more rocks (figure C) until you reach the desired height, then top off the planters by mortaring additional rocks with the flat side facing upward to create a deep wall (figure D). Allow concrete and mortar to dry for at least half a day.

Step 2: Mounting the Sculpture

The plants arrive in wooden boxes that can be taken apart and removed from the plants after they're set in stone planters. Fill the planters with soil and set in plants: you will need help with this step (the soil and plants are heavy), or you can spend about $185 a day to rent a small tractor to help place the plants. Once the plants are in the planters, you can remove the sides of the boxes they came in. Fill around the plants with mulch and water.

Planting Plan

Driscoll wants to use a lot of greenery and concentrate on the texture of the plantings, so she's planting low-growing shrubs and grasses to encircle the garden. Her choices include:

Check that the frames are level and begin to add the sod, being careful to fit pieces tightly together. Roll a water-filled roller over the sod (figure H) to smooth it out and give it some moisture--the roller will also help create a finished look. Lay a layer of weed-cloth on the path areas and cover (about 2/3" thick) with playground chips.

Finished Project

Driscoll continues the horse theme in the garden, selecting smaller horse sculptures to accent the focus piece. All in all, the project is a success, and homeowner Bailie is thrilled. Driscoll adds the final touches and shares the phrase that defines her landscaping projects: "Look for beauty in unexpected places."