Stone and masonry walls have long been a part of the garden designer’s palette, and they help create some of the most charming outdoor spaces. They often serve important roles, such as supporting steep slopes and providing privacy, depending on how they are used. Low garden walls command the eye, so when designing your wall project, think carefully about the impact you want to achieve. Walls have many functional purposes, but they also help to define the landscape. Wall design considers height, form (curvilinear or rectilinear), colour, and texture. There’s a lot to learn about low garden walls, and it all begins with knowing the various materials used.

Concrete: The most popular form of wall used today is concrete block walls. There are three main styles, but each has a wide variety of style, texture, and presentation options.

– Poured concrete is an excellent choice for curved walls since concrete forms can be built in almost any shape; the concrete can also be dyed and textured in several ways.

– The foundation of concrete masonry unit walls is made of regular cinder blocks. They can, however, be met in a variety of ways, including paint, stucco, and natural stone facades.

– Interlocking wall blocks are commonly used for low-profile retaining walls. They are similar to cinder blocks, but they are prefabricated with an ornamental facade. They are built to fit together in an interlocking pattern that adds to the beauty of the structure.

Stone: Natural stone is a stylish choice for garden walls, but it can be pretty pricey. Stone can be dry-stacked, which means it is laid without mortar, or each stone can be mortared in place.

– Small fieldstones are an excellent choice for dry-stacked retaining walls under the feet in height allowed by most building codes for mortarless walls.

– Granite slabs function well when mortared together to form higher free-standing walls.

– Larger boulders may also be laid end to end for an informal retaining wall where the weight of the stones, rather than mortar, keeps them in place.

Brick: Brick privacy walls are not as commonplace as they once were, but they have a timeless charm that is difficult to match. They do, however, necessitate the use of mortar and a high level of masonry ability to pull off successfully.

A wall’s strong lines can be used to create a sense of enclosure, similar to an outdoor space, or to break up the landscape in other ways. Low walls between two and four feet in height are more about building visual divisions than they are about function. They could be used to accommodate a small dog or as a seating surface.

A low wall may also serve as the foundation for some types of wrought iron fencing. Low garden walls are a classic garden feature. You can use them to build a sense of order, mystery, or security. Enjoy the process of creating something meaningful – it will be there for a long time – however you use walls in the landscape.