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Stone steps may be set either in the soil-with gravel or cinders
providing a drainage layer beneath them so that they will remain
where they are set-or they may be laid in informally formal patterns
such as those seen in "Steps With Opposing Circles" in the sketches
we present. These are usually best laid in concrete and mortared in
place. You may leave little pockets of soil here and there in which to
plant small flowering plants or living material of other kinds. In Wales,
at the estate of Lord Aberconway, "Bodnant," we saw some circular
steps in which a few inches of soil had been left at the rear of each step
except the top one. All of these were planted with rings of tiny violas
and the riser of each step formed the background for a mass of lavender
bloom. This charming planting idea may be adapted to your own gar-
den, using annuals, perennials, or succulent plants, according to your
taste.
Where ramp steps or short runs of steps are inserted in a long
walk up a slope having sharp breaks, it is best to use the same material
for the treads as that found in the path in which they occur. Blacktop,
gravel, crushed bluestone, marble chips, rough stone or concrete, brick
or lawn-whatever the walk material may be, it can be adapted to the
steps. Risers should also be compatible: wood, stone, brick, or any of
the materials which are shown on the pages of drawings and plans for
ramp steps.
Occasionally where long walks-particularly straight ones-must be
used, with steps occurring only occasionally, a change of pace and
texture will add interest to an otherwise commonplace and rather tiresome walk. Our circular steps which are entitled "Break Straight Lines
with Circles" are a case in point. If still more interest is needed or
desirable, bricks or stones may be set into the concrete steps in radiating
patterns as shown.
MORE OPPOSING CIRCLES
Here opposing circles of stone are used in
a wild garden with a stretch of sloping path
for a landing Top steps bow toward us, the
wider, shallower bottom ones bow away
from us. Because these steps are informal,
they may be adapted to either traditional
cottages in a natural setting or modern
houses which fit well in natural landscapes.
STEPS WITH VARIETY AND UNITY
In sections where ledge rock is plentiful or
quantities of other masonry materials are
easily available, the garden will gain in interest from changing levels of plant beds.
Vary the widths of the beds and the heights
of walls but keep unity by using only one
kind of material. Aflat platform by the steps
encourages the use of colorful potted plants.
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