Working with a Side Yard

The homeowner's side yard is very narrow--and directly adjacent to her neighbors' driveway. She would like to reduce the noise from the neighbors' air conditioner and driveway, and she'd like a new path from the front to backyard. The view from the bedroom window--directly into the neighbors' living room (figure C)--doesn't allow for privacy. When it rains, the neighbors' driveway floods because it is lower than the street, and that means the homeowner's side yard floods as well.

Correcting drainage. As with any makeover, you must first determine the problems, then explore all the angles for the best solutions. The simplest, most cost-effective solution to remedy this drainage problem is to dig a dry well to give the water somewhere to go (figure D). Workers dig a trench three feet deep by one foot wide along the driveway and fill it with gravel (figure E).

Volunteers clear out the neglected plants from the side yard. When potted plants are left on the ground for too long, the roots find their way into the soil and drop anchor.

Cutting down on noise. "Now that we've solved the privacy problem, we have to center our attention on the noise abatement, and I've got a great idea," says Glassman. Installing a water fountain (figure J) is an easy way to add a tranquil touch to the side yard, plus it drowns out the sound of cars and noisy neighbors.

Connecting the yards. Sometimes, the simplest solutions make the most sense. In this case, Glassman connects the front yard to the back, with a short path from the end of the driveway to the back gate, using two-foot-square slabs of slate (figure K). The slabs are positioned, then tamped into place.

Adding the plant material. Glassman plants a potato vine along one of the decorative screens (figure L), and in the shaded area behind the screens he plants an azalea and a triple-tiered azalea. Against the house he creates the look of espalier roses climbing up the side of the house (figure M). Butterfly bushes and a dark purple penstemon will attract butterflies and birds to the area. Topiaries are placed between the screen for a touch of formality, and more penstemon placed around the fountain. Finally, along the driveway, boxwoods frame the side yard perfectly (figure N).