Artificial swamp/pollinator-friendly garden

This was previously a weedy opening in a forest, located at the back of a suburban backyard. The homeowners, a veterinarian and a teacher, wanted to create a habitat that encouraged the presence of song birds, amphibians and reptiles. We built a shallow 'artificial swamp' along with a yatsuhashi-style boardwalk that cantilevers over the water at the far end. The plant palette consists of native grasses, pollinator-friendly perennials, shrubs that provide food and cover for song birds, and structural specimen plants. Newly installed 9/16. Photo by Jay Sifford.