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The Dry Stream Bed
Creating the dry stream bed
A seasonal stream flows through part of the garden. Heavy rains and melt water often revive the stream. It's bordered by the rock gardens on the west side and a dry stone wall and lawn on the east side. In spring. The stream bed isn’t always dry!
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With the seasonal stream bed as a template, Bill laid carpet and then plastic the length of the stream bed. On top there are assorted larger rocks gathered from the stone fence lines.. In between the larger rocks there are layers of flat stones, mined from the gardens.
Bill cut through the carpet in places and. planted a variety of plants including yellow water iris, variegated micanthus grass, polygonatum polymorpha, and some Siberian irises.
When floods or heavy runoff flow rocks get moved, plastic is torn and sometimes sections of the carpet are rolled up. The force of the water is surprising. We hope to complete major repairs to the dry stream bed this season.
Bill uses the flow of runoff to move fallen leaves away from the rocks.
Three concrete and stone koru are on one bank. A rock ledge creates a waterfall when the stream flows.
