Terrace Planting Beds
Terracing has historically been the best way to deal with slopes, which can be difficult and even dangerous to maintain. Terraces have been in garden design since ancient Persia and Rome and were popular in the Italian Renaissance and with English landscape gardens. Terraces are created by building a series of retaining walls, allowing space for level beds or lawns.
Start Your Garden With Hardscapes
What does the term “hardscape” mean? Lots of people, mostly those who haven’t had a lot of gardening experience or who have never had their own yard, are unfamiliar with the term. It actually refers to the parts of your landscape that are “hard”, or the ‘bones’ such as stone or concrete other material that make up pathways, decks, patios, retaining walls, and structures such as gazebos.
Stonehenge Secret Revealed
Many of the stones at the famous 5,000-year-old attraction came from a site 160 miles away
Design and Installation Collaboration Tips
“A design is only as good as its installation,” words which carry much significance are proven when comparing projects which use beautiful stone materials, and a great design, but do not follow industry standards or take the time and effort to do an excellent installation job.
Historic Gardens: Lessons Learned
Landscape designer and PBS horticultural guru Michael Weishan, recently wrote about three “master-class” historic gardens, for Old House OnLine. His top three choices: The Getty Villa, Malibu CA., historic Williamsburg, and Dumbarton Oaks near D.C.
Monarch Stone International in the Houzz !
Monarch Stone International has recently joined HOUZZ.com. If you are unfamiliar with HOUZZ, you will quickly learn what an incredible wealth of information it has to offer, a “leading destination site for home design enthusiasts– professionals and homeowners alike.”
National Landscape Architecture Month
April is National Landscape Architecture Month! According to ASLA, landscape architects across the country will host a variety of activities to celebrate the profession and explain how their work contributes to the public’s well-being. This year’s theme provides many events that will demonstrate how green design can encourage healthy living.Monarch Stone International is passionate about sustainable, enduring, natural stone which is frequently incorporated into designs created by landscape architects for garden, vehicular, and pedestrian areas. We have covered everything from reclaimed/recycled antique cobblestone, to green homes, and the importance of permeable hardscape surfaces. Check out all our posts under the category, Green-Sustainable.
Stone Stacking
Stacking stones, or rock balancing, is the patient art of stacking rocks in meticulous formations. Balancing stones has been a part of human expression for ages. The activity might have had religious or territorial meaning at one time. Today,there is a growing group who approach this craft as a creative activity like music, painting or sculpture.
Landscape Award Recognition
The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA), Orange County Chapter, “Beautification Awards” were awarded to many outstanding landscape projects in Orange County CA recently. Proudly, our company supplied the stone to this award winning project located in Laguna Beach California.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial
Martin Luther King Jr. National Monument, stone and sculptor from China. In the end, artistic capability, stone color and quality beat out the U.S. competition. U.S. companies in the building and stone industry such as ours, are constantly competing with stone products and services being imported from China and others. The world is shrinking and a global economy is reality.