The homeowner wanted to incorporate more native plants and pollinator plants into her existing garden, but was overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to do so since her property had been landscaped years ago and was filled with well-established plants. Her side yard turned out to be the perfect space for a redesign such as this.

Instead of a formal walkway, the naturalistic layout allows the plants to shape the pathway. A desert willow, Chilopsis linearis 'Bubba,' anchors the planting, which includes shrubs to soften walls, and a diverse yet cohesive underplanting of perennials and succulent plants.

For this design to work, proper plant placement was critical, not just for the planned color and textural combinations, but also to ensure ample square footage for plants to grow into their space.

This side yard has become the property's "secret garden," and it has an almost magical quality when it is backlit by the morning sun streaming in. "It is so beautiful," the homeowner says, adding, "I love the way it feels!"

Design and photos Perennial Garden Consultants.