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Compac Hewnstone from Keystone Retaining Wall Systems; Eco-Priora paving products from Mutual Materials; Stone Matrix wet-cast block system from Sanderson Concrete; Terraforce wall system installation. J UNE 2015 | 27 Landscape Products Concrete isn't the only landscaping product that offers flexibility, however. "Our Elephant Armor can be used to create anything from countertops to dining table," says Abbotsford Concrete's Danielson. Elephant Armour has been used for com- mercial applications, but its durability makes it fit well for home use, too. Though clean lines and modern looks are hot right now, there's still a demand for earthier looks, too. Natural-finish stones are flying off the shelves. "If the first quar- ter of 2015 has been an indicator, people are spending money on their yards again after a slower couple of seasons," observes David Nelson of Northwest Landscape Supply. "We have already sold out of many natural stone flagstones and stone risers/ treads and are awaiting new stock." This year, Mutual Materials introduced a bevvy of slate-textured products – both the Columbia Slate Patio Slabs and Dominion Slate Paving Stones – with fresh colour schemes: Northwest Blend, Summit Blend and Harvest Blend, all available in three sizes. The company's Eco-Priora interlocking permeable paving products come in both four-by-eight inches and eight-by-eight inches, providing increased design flexibility and patterns. Even more popular than classic stone finishes are those that incorporate mod- ern technology with a natural look. "Another trend we continue to see is a demand for products that deliver the ease of use of concrete block, with the beauty and texture of natural stone," Keystone's Granger points out. The company's Alameda patio stone features interlocking joints for quick and easy installation, and irregu- lar face shapes that create complex patterns for individualized designs. The light- weight Keystone Compac Hewnstone uses a pin connection system that's praised by engineers and contractors worldwide. Both deliver natural stone finishes with the simplicity and efficiencies of concrete – the best of both worlds. New concrete products from Belgard Hardscapes are available from Northwest Landscape Supply this year, including Lafitt Slate Slabs, Mega-Bergerac Pavers and River Rock Pavers, all available in a three-piece modular pattern. There is increasing demand being seen for sustainable paving materials. Eco Paving uses 100 per cent recycled paving material, made from rubber, to resurface cracked and worn asphalt, concrete, pavers or tile. As an eco bonus, the company plants a tree for every project it completes. "Our product can be applied over any subfloor," says Eco Paving's Brad Lavigne, "and because it's flexible, it accommo- dates future ground movements." Rubber paving is hardly a new technology: has been used in Europe for over 70 years, but it's really only over the last decade that it's been making its way into residential applications in North America – today, recycled tire granules are used to resurface everything from pool decks to playgrounds. It's cost-effective, can withstand extremes in temperatures and is non-slip. U N D E R P R E S S U R E When it comes to retaining walls, designers and homeowners alike are looking for unique textures and colour blends that nod to the natural indigenous colour palette of the region. In the interior of B.C. that means tan, sierra and southwest colours, while on the coast, salt-and-pepper tones rule. Mutual Materials' retaining wall stones – Pisa2, Roman Pisa and StackStone – are available with the potential for ashlar design patterns. For the first time in years, Northwest Landscape Supply is stocking concrete block systems. "We just started stocking them to give customers more options," says Nelson. Sanderson's new wet-cast retaining wall system, Stone Matrix, is cast with a stone face rather than a split-faced block. "It's making real inroads," says Arntorp. "We decided to invest in the new wet-cast block system, which allows for a stone face on both sides of the block and allows for both retaining walls and free-standing walls." Stone Matrix also makes creating pillars easier – freestanding or as part of the retaining wall – and at a fraction of the cost of pouring and facing with a cast- stone product. "We see wet-cast retaining walls as being the future of higher-end landscapes," Arntorp says. Another company specialising in retaining walls is Terraforce – a Cape Town- based company that offers interlocking concrete blocks for environmental land- scaping and concrete retaining walls. Its hollow-core, plant friendly Terraforce system features a unique design of interlocking blocks that allow plants to become a part of the wall. By using water-wise plants and a good irrigation system, a sus- tainable, yet durable green wall can be created. Terraforce was chosen as one of the energy saving initiatives for the Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital in Dubai. Construction of the wall started with the place- ment of precast foundations onto which double skin, concrete and soil filled Terraforce L16 blocks were installed. Careful placement of the blocks provided plant supportive pockets that could also act as an efficient, easy maintenance dripper irrigation system. "This has to be the most efficient irrigation system ever. Within three months the exposed pipe will be hidden by the plants. Each plant has a dripper and water provi- sion for each plant can be accurately controlled with a timer. The system is main- tenance friendly and repairs are a breeze," says Holger Rust, founder, Terraforce. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS; MUTUAL MATERIALS; SANDERSON CONCRETE; TERRAFORCE

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