Not sure of the forum on which it was mentioned but someone liked the circular pattern of different colored blocks I used for some of my raised beds. The blocks are 4Hx8Wx12L and came in gray, brown, and red. Purchased from Lowe's and they may now have an additional color or two. Requires 12 for the bottom layer and, since they are alternated over the joints and have an inside locking 'lip', 11 on the top layer plus half of a brick to fill a leftover gap.

Single layer for a tree/patio rose mulched with white marble chips for contrast.


Double layer for a newly transplanted peony.


This makes a circle of about 34 inches which is adequate for one peony or rose. It would also be perfect for one 'drop dead gorgeous' iris to be displayed and not disturbed for a few years. The cautions to be considered are a raised bed with cracks will dry out quickly in the heat of summer and, also, humus and organic material tend to rot and shrink more quickly than one would think so the filler material should be compacted to approximate natural soil and mounded slightly to compensate for shrinkage.

Interesting sites for plants. Most irises are spectacular (he he). I would reccommend 'Queen's Circle' white with a blue edge to the falls.

Love the idea! I have been raising my beds with this 'bullet' shaped bricks this year, and in fact just completed an iris only bed. I am glad to get the information on the compaction and stuff, thank you. I expect my iris will enjoy the raised bed better because of the better drainage, but. It is a good comment to keep an eye on them during the heat and dryness of some summers ~ Jan

Just wanted to say hi to Jan. I've seen you over on DG, glad to see you here too.

Jerry, those look great! I think I would have to do something funky in them, like a bed with black and white irises, maybe some 50s or 60s color combos.

Gosh, I think that is really, really beautiful. What a fabulous idea

A couple more beds. The first is an oval of about 8 feet made for 2 new peonies. The irises are for filler until the peonies expand.


The second is another bed made for 4 new peonies with alternating irises along the side until the peonies expand. It was made of leftovers from other projects and set up on a slope which drops a full 8 inches in 6 feet. These are just samples of how simple parts can be rather attractive just by using imagination. In this particular case, if the peonies like it as well as the irises, it should look nice in another 3 or 4 years.