Synchronized On A Slope

Boutique Firm Commits to Long-Term Landscape Vision 

What catches your attention and invites you into your favorite landscape? Is it the motion and sound of bubbling water? The mystery of a stepping stone walking path that says find out where I lead? A crackling fire as the flames dance on gooey marshmellows? 

These landscape experiences are not by chance. They are by design.

Separating a good landscape experience from a great one begins with the details and how they interact with each other. Details like understanding the soil, plant material selection, water drainage and the hardscapes are just a few. They are all part of a landscape that enhances a space and invites you to spend time there.

Craig McManus with McPlants emphasizes fundamental details in each of his projects. He works to educate his clients, along with industry peers, on these values. He explains how patience and attention to detail gained his team national attention for engaging landscape spaces. 

Merging A Client’s Desires & Life Events

“We are not just moving dirt around, arranging colored concrete units and plopping down random plants when designing and building a project,” Craig says.

"We are designing & building spaces where people will interact with nature during significant life events."

In the latter half of 2018, Craig and his team worked with a couple seeking to develop their garden space behind their Atlanta-area home. Two desires stood out: A space for a large firepit surrounded by seating with enough space for large gatherings and a large putting green. 

Available space was not an issue. A falling grade away from their home was. The new garden space also needed to connect with their home on several levels. The slope became usable space through a series of four different retaining walls creating room for the firepit entertainment area and putting green.

The home’s interior lower-level living and entertainment area flows into the outdoor space. The garden also connects with the overlooking upper level visually and through a reconfigured staircase, which added a new hidden entrance into the garden around the backside of the garage.

The seven-hole, 1,350-plus-square-foot putting green offers a delightful challenge day or night. The lighting is designed to cast from a low angle, minimizing the shadows on the playing surface. Craig jokes, “This is the first infinity-edge putting green in the world.” The large green is often used for in-house putting tournaments and keeping the homeowners putting strokes sharp. 

Solving Drainage Problems 

“I wish more folks would pay attention to water drainage,” says Craig. He has another client with a new home in a large subdivision where the entire back lawn fills up with up to a foot of water during rain events. “Whether by intention or incompetence, it is really kind of ridiculous,” he continues. “This was not a retention pond. The lawn was rotting from staying too wet. One problem cascades on to another.”

In regard to the project, the water falling from the sky onto the pavers and other hardscape is handled through a series of vegetative and dry-stream raingarden pathways. The pathways are directing and absorbing water, while also multitasking by offering pathways for people to move through the garden. 

Water collected from the home’s roof is captured and sent to a soil-covered infiltration pit. The goal is to infiltrate as much water as possible back into the ground. If any water leaves the site, it needs to be as clean as possible. The planted areas are absorbing into the ground or evaporating the water as it would do if undisturbed and naturally vegetated. 

All the retaining walls have their own drainage system so they will function properly. One of the most common reasons for retaining wall failure is hydrostatic pressure, meaning water pressure behind the wall. “You need to run water around a retaining wall, not to them,” explains Craig.

Another challenge that was experienced on this project was unstable soil. “When building a retaining wall or any hardscape, you need stable compacted soil,“ says Craig. “While excavating in search of compacted soil, we discovered buried, ground-up tree fiber. It had been covered with fill soil during the home’s construction process. Buried for over 20 years and with very little decayed, it was essentially equal to mulch. That’s not a good base to start a retaining wall. It would have been a disaster if it hadn’t been discovered and a retaining wall built on top of it.” 

Several groups recognized this design and build project for its design, execution and craftsmanship. Hardscape North America recognized the project as Residential Retaining Wall of the Year Merit Winner 2020. It is one of McPlants’ capstone projects and largely embodies the motivation and passion behind Craig’s work. 

Keeping the Design Organic & Dynamic 

On this project, Craig selected plants that will not outgrow their space. The plants are less stressed out and healthier because they’re not having to constantly be sheared into submission. He also points out that the plants are allowed to show off their natural form, texture and flower.

"It makes for a more pleasing & dynamic garden when you’re not robbing the natural beauty of a plant."

The plant varieties and cultivars selected present a sequenced, year-round point of interest. There is always something to enjoy when visiting this landscape in any season. All the major lines in this garden are curvilinear, which allows for a more organic feel and fits into the natural surroundings better. 

“I try to make decisions in terms of a long-range perspective,” says Craig. “What will it look like and how will it function in five years? Ten years? A generation from now? Every element will comingle and should function with each other.”

Staying Small 

Craig has built his company around the “boutique landscape company” concept. “I believe we are able to focus on the details better, communicate more efficiently and respond to unforeseen challenges faster,” he says. “For McPlants, we’ve chosen to stay small on purpose. I feel like I am more in touch with my clients. Having the designer on-site makes the design process flow better when issues arise, especially ones that challenge the initial design vision. Adjustments can be made on the fly; it is a big advantage.”

McPlants Crew installing the hardscape pavers for the fire pit area

Craig uses his 35-plus years of experience in the green industry to lead his team and provide exceptional client service. 

He dedicates time to share his knowledge by speaking to groups and at conferences. He also produces and hosts an educational podcast each Thursday.

“The bottom line of business is that you need to keep learning and growing,” Craig adds. “If you really understand the business, then work to understand it even more. No matter what level you’re on, grow yourself and your team.” 

The Garden Question Podcast’s focus is designing, building and growing “Smarter Gardens That Work.” There are over 110 weekly episodes available, with new ones added each week. You can listen and subscribe wherever you consume your podcasts.

View of the renovated back yard space featuring the fire pit & golf course

Get in Touch With...

Craig McManus
Owner of McPlants Inc.

mcplants.com

Listen to The Garden Question Podcast with Craig McManus