Merion Station Rear Yard

Merion Station, PA · Small Gardens

Design $1,200–$1,800 · Installation $7,500–$27,500

Bluestone path leading to a patio and dining table in a Merion Station rear yard at dusk

The property

A cozy yard in Merion Station was renovated to make it more functional for the new homeowners. Replacing an outdated deck with a bluestone patio and lush native plantings created an outdoor room that works for relaxing and entertaining in all seasons.

Native coral honeysuckle flowering as it climbs a pergola in Merion Station

Bluestone patio and native planting in a Merion Station backyard in the evening

Backyard pergola with string lights and white Adirondack chairs at dusk

Lush pergola covered in vines and glowing string lights over a bluestone patio

Hand-drawn watercolor sketch of the proposed pergola and patio design

Pergola lit by string lights with a wooden dining set on the bluestone patio

White amsonia flowers in the foreground with the house beyond

Purple allium and catmint filling a sunny garden bed

Allium blooms with the stone and stucco house in the background

Purple allium in front of white Adirondack chairs

White flowers and purple salvia with the house and flag in the background

A child relaxing in an Adirondack chair behind a tall purple allium bloom

Design goals

Replace a failing deck with a usable outdoor room
Make a small rear yard work for both relaxing and entertaining
Plant natives that carry the space through every season

Challenges

The yard is small and closely bounded, so every square foot of patio, path, and planting had to earn its place.

Plant strategy

Native coral honeysuckle on the pergola for months of bloom and hummingbirds, with layered native perennials and shrubs around the patio.

Installation

Deck removal and site clearing first, then natural bluestone set piece by piece for the patio and path, followed by planting.

The finished landscape

A small backyard that now works as an outdoor room, day or night.

Investment

Ideal for refreshing existing plantings, or adding new beds to the landscape.

Compare project sizes

Design budget: $1,200–$1,800
Installation budget: $7,500–$27,500

More work

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