Jealous! Nothing soothes me more than the sound of running water! Just needs some plantings to settle it into the landscape.

Thank you! I am thinking some tall grasses. Something along these lines. Anyone have suggestions on grass types etc?

Here are some ideas:

Manzanita and grass. Pampas grass next!

Looks amazing! Now I want to build a waterfall even though it wasn't my childhood dream.

Thanks. Do it!

Add some plants and planting pockets.

Thanks. Thinking pampas grass…

I'm confused as to which type of waterfall you are thinking of, an enclosed water pump feature, or a decorative drainage system for rainfall runoff. You show both types in your inspo photos.

Judging by the work started it appears to be for drainage. I would be concerned about runoff eroding the steep hillside at the end of your man-made stream.

OOPS, I just noticed this is an older post. I hope everything turned out okay.

I decided to do a pondless waterfall. Put in a retaining wall below

Planted some aspen

Thinking of putting a putting green near the bottom falls? Would synthetic grass kill the natural feel?

Something like this

Personally I do think it would clash with the natural vibes too much, especially considering the inspiration pics you shared months ago, but only you can judge the practical pros and cons! I never did landscape design besides tiny rock gardens so the following will be the point of view of a complete amateur, and of course entirely subjective, so please take it with a grain of salt. :)

That said – I think pampas grass sounds awesome if it was in smaller area, placed somewhere where it wouldn't cover your view of the water. Taller ornamental grasses seem to easily take over the landscape so the placement would really matter imo.

(source)

The smaller rocks that were visible on the side when you added manzanita (and if I'm not mistaken, you added more of them after planting the trees?) really helped a sort of natural transition between the water and grass, that's lovely! Looks a lot more natural to me.

The rocky hill above the waterfall (on the right of the little seating area) looks like it'd be great with some low, dense, colorful plants/herbs so you'd get a variety of colors and "textures" breaking up the rocky surface? I don't know which plants would work with the climate and be low-maintenance, but I do think small pops of color with something bright like thyme or aubretia and then some neutral greenery and grasses around it could look great. (The photos below are more decorative and colorful than what I'm imagining.)

(source 1, source 2)

You might even do a "wilder" section (with your trees, tall grasses etc. which would probably require less upkeep) transitioning into a rock garden on the side? Or keep some herbs in the more accessible area.

I hope you'll keep updating us as the plants grow, because it already looks so lovely!!

A real grass putting green would be great for practice and really the only way to go for a natural look... but to maintain it must be a challenge. I think fake turf for just the green with a lot of real grass and plants around it could work to blend it in, especially with the great realistic look that some have.

It's a recreational purpose....I think you can be forgiven for turf instead of sod. Maybe some type of winding path-like footprint or edging would help make it look less like a putting green. And no flagpins lol.

Looking at getting some outdoor furniture to enjoy the space. Having trouble deciding between teak and aluminum. I like the teal to have more of the natural feel but also like sleek look of black. Thoughts?

I am eventually going to build out deck with trex extending out over hillside so current deck will be changing in future. Here are the sets I am considering.

How much time do you want to spend on furniture maintenance? Do you like the silver color that teak weathers to? There are some aluminum furniture lines with a striated finish which actually look like they are made from wood. That might be the best of both worlds for a natural look and ease of maintenance.

Went with some blue metal and other switch grasses, some mosses and tigers eye!

Astoundingly beautiful. You have a great eye.

Thoughts of how to structure fire pit? It is a four foot drop off so I was thinking maybe half circle seated bench structurally like last photo but different stone design. Also I was thinking a thinking a concrete bowl like third picture. I appreciate any comments or suggestions!

Animal life is starting to find a new water source. Anyone lose a cat?

Wow a bobcat!

Planting update

Deck furniture update. Thoughts on a pergola?

Before committing to a pergola, mock up its full volume rather than only the four-post footprint. Mark the post locations, run string at the proposed beam height, and hang a few temporary ribbons or shade-cloth strips where the rafters would sit. Then check it from the deck seats, the house, and the waterfall path at morning, midday, and late afternoon. That will show whether it frames the water or visually cuts the space in half, and whether the slat direction would actually block the difficult sun. Keep posts clear of the main walking route and views, and verify deck/footing capacity, wind loads, drainage, utilities, setbacks, and permit rules before choosing attached versus freestanding construction. With this landscape, I would start with a light, simple structure aligned to the deck edges and keep the waterfall-facing side as open as possible; the temporary mock-up will tell you whether it adds a destination or competes with the feature.