Congratulations to your mom on the house. The options are endless. I wonderful outdoor kitchen and and living area where your family can gather would be a great use of space. Also maybe some wonderful landscaping that is low maintenance. Here are some ideas.

Please let us know if we can help in any other way!

The Western Outdoor Designs Team

www.westernoutdoordesigns.com

You posted this in before and after so it probably wont get as much answers as if you posted in design dilemna..just fyi. I can see that the lawn is lower than the patio and if your mom doesn't have dogs I might suggest getting rid of the lawn and installing synthetic at the height of the concrete. Any step down will make the area feel smaller. So I would level it out.

This would be a fun place to play with plants. Looks like you have already gotten some good ideas. Where are you? looks like warm weather place and if so endless ideas for plants.

Quite a little walled enclosure. I love the way they avoided right angles in this tiny space. It might be best to keep all new plants in containers for a couple years, until she gets comfortable with the idiosycracies of the tight spaces.

Looks like the former owner took his pool equipment with him, or was it not installed yet?

She could always put a deck over the gorgeous pool to keep it intact for when your mother sells it to you.

Thank you all! Its pretty sunny down here, I though I could plant this along side in the back wall. What do you think about it?

Check out our online design services we provide landscape designs for the the DIY gardeners, at very affordable prices P.S. Monstera delociousa commonly called split leaf Philodendron can be extremely vigorous is better suited for shaded areas, or places where it can have its roots in the shade and its leaf in the sun as it prefers cool rich soil conditions. First impressions is to strap the wall with and interesting wood detail then combine with a diversified vine selection

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xeriscaping with natives would soften this small space while providing habitat for endangered pollinators. They provide life, motion and endless fascination. Pool maintenance can be a drag, especially all the chlorine commonly required. There is a movement to create pools with native plants on the sides of swimming area that cleanse the water without chemicals. In your case that could be a gorgeous planting area that now is just open space. Imagine tumbling water, prolific blooms, and all the life that is attracted to the fresh as opposed to chemicalized standard pool water. We are based in Upper Midwest, but there is a company specializing in these pools that is just wrapping up the first commercial size, public swimming pool here in Minneapolis. Much simpler installation with just your family & friends using it.

How lovely---does she want low growing plants or taller ones---hibiscus would be lovely there and some of the lower growing palms---might be nice to create a stone path across the grassy area---maybe even a hopscotch design as a play area for the kids. If she doesn't want to be bothered with grass, putting in some ground cover would solve that problem in that area.

Is this southern cal. or florida?? If it is florida do not fill in the yard to bring it up to the deck. The reason not to is rain, which down here needs a lower area to run to. How old is your mom and how much gardening does see wish to do, or is she going to have a gardener care for it. Looks like a new pool or a new finish just applied, it will be lovely with water in it. Instead of the split leaf philo look at the variegated philo. It is less messy and will adhere more closely to the wall. Also peace lilys in the areas by the pool where it curves out will fill in without dropping a lot of stuff into the pool. Do you plan to sceen the pool area? let us know which area you are in and what your mom is looking for and will try to help.

If you're looking for something low-growing and easy-care I suggest Bloody Cranesbill, especially for areas that get some shade. It fills out to lovely leafy mounds and is very easy to plant and to remove. It can be used as a ground cover, or just limited to along a walkway or wall. Pink flowers in the spring, and does not drop leaves or spent blooms. A climbing hydrangea or clematis could add color against the walls.

You've got a great space to work with--that's half the battle! Why doesn't the pool have water in it? That would be the first thing I would do is to fill it--the blue bottom is absolutely wonderful. With so much sunlight, take advantage of colorful plantings: bushes that bloom, flowering trees, bulbs, etc.

A creative pathway to the BBQ, rocks, yard art, nice outdoor furniture all add interest. I'd spend some money on a new face for the BBQ area. You can put Mexican tiles over what is there, I think that would go well with the blue of the pool and give it a warmer feel. Lighting over the BBQ area should be adequate to light it up well with warm lights.

Get great ideas from landscape books, often they describe how to do the look you want.

Hi, How's it going? You can start with a rain harvesting system for all vegetation and grass watering needs, (This pays off big in the long run) (Smile) Also while hanging out in the evenings don't forget some cool lighting. Then what about a lighted Wall water feature as the center piece or a couple of solar garden fountains (They are cheap now days) and leave it open since your limited on space. Also it will be cheaper and less expensive in the long run. ;) Have a Great day!!

It's a super space. Not too big nor too small. It would help to know where it is or at least what zone though it does look like a warm place. Also to know what sort of gardner your Mom is. Does she like super easy care or does she like to putter around in the garden? Flowers or green? Is she a rose nut? Will the area be used by children or adults? Personally I'd have flowers because that's what I love. Every second I spend on a lawn is a wasted second I could spend with my flowers. I'd be growing flowering plants up the walls and have a real super English style garden in the area that's just ugg now plus some large and wonderful pots on the porches.

Paint the concrete wall. Maybe a soft grey, green. Put trees in pots in front of the wall. Maybe four, with a fountain area in the center, as mentioned before. Dinning table near kitchen, curved couch or bench, plus chairs on curved patio. Shelf on long wall above the hose for food or plants.

Without knowing where she is (at least in general terms - state at least), you won't be able to get good plant advice. Florida vs. Virginia vs. Minnesota makes a huge difference in recommendations.

Since the area is already enclosed with concrete walls, I would treat it as a room. You already have creeping fig on some of the walls. I would let it continue to grow and cover all of the existing walls. This would also help with heat buildup if you live in a hot climate. Remove the fig from the BBQ structure and install some kind of barrier to keep those walls free of it, or trim as needed. I would use the colors of blue, white and yellow.........the same shade as those on the lights by the BBQ...........to pull your "room" together. Three big blue pots on the pool rim by the wall with some type of plant that has architectural lines that would show up against the fig.....or even white bird of paradise. Something that doesn't shed, low water needs, etc that you could light up at night. Mexican tile, as mentioned above, installed on part of the BBQ. If there is room, a table and chairs by the BBQ.Ornamental peanut, a new ground cover, has been developed to be used instead of grass in sunny areas. Low growing, yellow flowers, and doesn't need to be mowed that often. In the grassy area you could do a fire pit surrounded with chairs...maybe Adirondack painted in differing colors of the tile. Unless you need that area for the table. Could go on and on.......just don't forget the lighting.........so important for outside as well as inside!

I am thinking that she lives somewhere with a fairly warm/temperate climate all year round--with a pool and outdoor cooking set up like that. So I am going to be fairly bold in some of my suggestions here.

I think the first priority is to get that big cement block wall covered in vine-growing plants. She will need to put up some sort of crude trellis in front of it for the vines to hold on to--nothing too elaborate, I would think. But if she needs some help, this is something that *does* need to be well anchored, so that it doesn't end up falling over into the pool at some point later on!! Trumpet Creepers and Hydrangeas are both very good climbers if that wall gets sunlight exposure. Also, the simple Morning Glory should never be over looked.

She may also want to think about putting in a path of good sized stepping stones from the pool to that small patio (the one pictured with the two oriental vases on it) if she plans on putting plants In the ground or in pots)--or even just a lawn--into that entire space. That way there will be a walking path in there among all the vegetation.

I found a great list for you--I am assuming a lot here--by doing a search on "florida perennials". Here is the link: http://floridafriendlyplants.com/plant_database_results.asp?TLst=1

If she is not in Florida, there should be other similar sites for wherever she is located. Best of luck!!

Here are a couple ideas you could do with the blank wall, adding a bit of color and or whimsy!

These aren't mine, I found them here somewhere and saved them for later use :)

There are great ideas for this garden in this month's "Better Homes & Garden" check it out.

I suggest a boxwood border around the concrete edge. If Planted spaced apart, and maintained trimmed down into balls. And with landscape fabric and mulch, it remains easy to care for and ads softness and visual interest and texture. You can always ad some solar lights as well, and it's sure to be a great place to sit in the evenings. See pic attached : )

And, perhaps consider a trellis like pic below, with a climbing give such as wisteria, as will help provide some shaded areas.

You likely don't want the expense to undo all of the hardscaping. So create a 'planter garden' with either free standing pots (variation of sizes) and / or combination of actual planters. You can google and see lots of examples - help your mother pull her own look together.

The big news is that I would help her out with maintenance by using artificial turf in the grass area. It stays green, handles pets well and requires zero maintenance.
Our experience is that the medium to higher quality product is the best one to purchase and have installed (or install yourself).

Hope this helps! It certainly helped our shaded, small yard (with 3 pets)

There is so much you could do with this. I highly recommend consulting one or preferably two landscape architects, even through commercial nurseries, for preliminary ideas. Don't just DIY.

Xeriscaping is better for front yards that are mostly unused than for backyards where people want to hang out. In the back most people want grass, trees, water, flowers, and birds. Not cactus and gravel. Especially at resale time.

Pampass grass is easy and drought resistant! Also, crepe myrtle are extremely hardy and no bother. I f you want to put a flower bed in Vincas are good for sun and Impaitents are good for shade. My reccommendation some type of ornamental grass with a crepe myrtle in the background

Hi. I lived in a Central Florida pool home for 15 years. It was located approx. 100 meters from the ocean and the salt air prohibited some plants from doing well.

1. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you acquire and use plant specimens that will grow well in your location. Salt spray will kill many kinds of plants so it's a factor when making decisions.

2. Plantings near poolside require commonsense. You don't want a lot of the plant material falling or blowing into the pool, ie. leaves, flower petals, etc. Plant your items wisely to avoid extra pool maintenance.

3. Many exotic specimens suited to warm weather, thrive in the heat and will grow quite large. Make sure you are aware of the full mature size of the plants you purchase to avoid finding out later that your garden has turned into a jungle because the plants have outgrown your expectations.

4. There are many vines which flower that would look lovely along the concrete wall. Consult with a design professional about whether there is a need for some hardscape improvements, ie., a wood or wire trellis system to be installed to support vining plants etc.

5. Remember if you have grass it will need to be cut and that means grass clippings. If you have a lawn service providing lawn care they will mow, blow and trim in no time which is great. Thing is, the grass clippngs are still in the lawn and if wet feet are in the grass and then in the pool, you'll end up with some extra pool maintenance skimming grass out.

6. where in the photo is the pool equipment? pump, skimmer, etc? The pump motor might be noisy, or unslightly.. many people try and camoflague them out of view...

7. are there plans for overhead sunshade? ie., pergola, gazebo, or a screened patio? it would be helpful to know if that is a need for future development of the patio.

Hope these are helpful! Good luck :)

Find clean, modern designs at urbilis.com to complete your patio! Here are some ideas:

The Edgley Windowbox

The Fairfax Planter

The Funston Firepit and Ice Chest

The Grovert Wall Planter

You can also check out plenty of other products on our website. Good luck with the design!

Your concrete wall is intimidating paint it with a wave decor. You can not expect someone to love looking at a grey concrete wall.

We would love to help you with a water fountain....

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Keep throwing grass seed down especially if you know it is going to rain.

And let it keep growing before mow it down.

This backyard space has so many options! I would start with the basics. First by adding some structural shrubs, depending on what zone you are in, hydrangeas, viburnums and lilacs are wonderful options! This will create some good structure and height variation in your backyard. Then add some perennials to really add some color.

Also, since the sod isn't really doing much for the yard right now, think about creating a fully vegetated space fully vegetated space in that area. Heres a picture for some inspiration! Good luck!