lights along walks
An old work bench outfitted with a sink makes a potting area in the back entry. One of many interior windows in the home lets the spaces share light while giving a sense that the rooms were added on over time.
A piece of agricultural history. At this farmhouse in Washington’s Skagit Valley, the designers repurposed an old cow water trough from the site to become a pleasing garden feature. The trough is a casual element in a front yard that has a formal axial plan.
West Coast Homes SaveEmail 8. Concealed electrical receptacles. This particular installation is a relatively new design detail, and finding the proper electrical requirements for your local electrical authority may be a challenge right now. But this is a trend that is likely to become more popular. Having the receptacles on the underside of your upper cabinets keeps your backsplash clear, but bear in mind that the plugs will be slightly less accessible and you will have a cord hanging down from the upper cabinets. This is something to consider if you are going to keep certain small appliances always plugged in.
cooking pit
Wood paneling. If shade is what you need to make your outdoor zone more usable, a wood-lined pergola could be the way to go. Consider incorporating a couple of panels of clear, corrugated roofing to let some light in.
Transparent. Indoor-outdoor living is what many of us aspire to, but it pays to consider the seasons when you’re designing a covered outdoor area. This glass-covered pergola attached to a home in Perth, Australia, lets the sunshine flood in when needed, but it also gives the homeowners the chance to keep sweltering temperatures at bay. Remote-controlled retractable awnings above the glass are the solution to the intense heat, and overhead fans keep the air moving.
10. Zephyrlily (Zephyranthes candida) Native to Texas, Mexico and Central America The ephemeral white blossoms of zephyrlily, also called rainlily, and its bright green foliage are a rather unexpected treat for those who live in hot, dry climates. This is one tough plant that can easily handle the heat and cold. Planted from bulbs, zephyrlily produces white blossoms in late summer and fall, often in response to rain. Z. candida’s foliage is evergreen, and it can be grown throughout most of the southern United States. Create natural-looking drifts with at least three plants growing alongside colorful perennials, such as angelita daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis, Zone 5) or autumn sage (Salvia greggii, Zone 7), for great color contrast. Zephyrlilies can also be planted next to spiky succulents, such as desert spoon (Dasylirion wheeleri, Zone 6), for a pairing of distinct textures. Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 18 degrees Celsius (Zone 7) Water requirement: It’s moderately drought-tolerant once established; water weekly in summer and every three weeks in winter. Light requirement: Full sun (partial shade in low-desert gardens) Mature size: 6 to 12 inches tal...
9. Trailing Indigo Bush (Dalea greggii) Native to Texas; also found throughout much of Mexico Passers-by often first notice the attractive lacy gray-green foliage of this ground cover and how it softens the landscape. That is, until they walk closer and see a welcome surprise with trailing indigo bush’s tiny purple flowers. Flowering of the half-inch-wide globular flowers begins in spring and lasts into summer. Occasional blooms may also appear in the fall. Trailing indigo bush, also called Gregg’s prairie clover, makes an excellent ground cover, as its stems root where they touch the ground. Flowers also attract bees. The silvery-green ground cover can be used to soften the landscape visually while helping to reduce the reflected heat from landscape rock and sidewalks. Use it alongside your favorite succulents or boulders for great texture contrast. Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 18 degrees Celsius (Zone 7) Water requirement: Water deeply every two weeks in summer, every three weeks in spring and fall, and monthly in winter. Light requirement: Full sun; reflected heat Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide Planting notes: Plant in well...
8. Pink Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla) Native to the deserts of southeastern California, southern Arizona, New Mexico and western areas of Texas; also grows in northern Mexico Pink fairy duster’s foliage is made up of tiny leaflets, which create an airy green backdrop throughout the drought-tolerant landscape. This medium-size shrub transforms when fuzzy pink flowers shaped like small feather dusters appear. Flowers appear in late winter into spring and can reoccur in late summer or fall. The 1-inch-wide flowers attract hummingbirds, as well as other wildlife that eat the seeds. Use in an informal, naturally themed garden by pairing it with cactus or other succulents, such as agave, where it can show its feathery foliage to maximum effect. Pink fairy duster can also be used to create an informal hedge, planted alongside large boulders or to help anchor a wildflower garden. Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (Zone 7) Water requirement: It’s able to survive on natural rainfall once established, but its appearance and flowering are improved when watered deeply twice a month in summer and monthly in spring and fall. Light requiremen...
7. Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana) Native to New Mexico, Texas and northern Mexico Damianita’s aromatic foliage is made up of dark green needlelike leaves. This Southwestern native has an attractive mounded growth habit, which is dramatically transformed by the appearance of deep yellow flowers. Although small, they almost completely cover the foliage and create a stunning impact from their sheer number. The heaviest bloom season begins in spring and reoccurs in fall. Sporadic flowering can also occur in summer. For maximum color impact, plant in groups of three or more along pathways, near swimming pools or use to dress up a boulder. Damianita also looks great when planted in the garden foreground, with flowering shrubs in the background, or alongside drought-tolerant perennials. Lightly shear after flowering to promote additional bloom. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23 degrees Celsius (Zone 6) Water requirement: Water every three weeks in summer and monthly in spring and fall. In low-desert gardens, water weekly in summer and every two weeks in spring and fall. Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide Planting...
4. Angelita Daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis) Native to the western and central United States; also found in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada, as well as northern Mexico Don’t be deceived by angelita daisy’s small size. It’s tough, thriving in both the cold and extreme heat that characterizes many of the arid regions of the western half of the United States. Yellow daisies are borne aloft dark green grassy foliage. For zones 5 and 6, the bloom season is in summer. In warmer zones, the bloom season lasts longer, with flowers appearing spring through fall. For those who live in low-desert zones, the flowering never stops adding a welcome spot of color, no matter what time of year it is. Due to their compact size, angelita daisies can get lost in the landscape when planted singly, so always plant them in groups of at least three. Place next to boulders along with a brightly colored penstemon, or plant in rows along a pathway or narrow raised bed. Use them to soften a landscape planted with cactuses and succulents. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 29 degrees Celsius (Zone 5) Water requirement: Water weekly in summer, every two weeks in spring and fall, ...
3. Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum) Native from the Central Plains to the Southwest and into northern Mexico Daisies brighten up any landscape, and this drought-tolerant ground cover is no exception. One-inch-wide daisies appear on blackfoot daisy, also called prairie blackfoot, in spring over dark green foliage. Although spring is when most daisies show up on this ground cover, flowering can also occur throughout summer and early fall. Blackfoot daisy’s natural mounding habit makes it a great choice for tucking into crevices next to boulders or planting in groups of three for greater impact. Pair it with pink, red or yellow flowering perennials for great color contrast. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 29 degrees Celsius (Zone 5) Water requirement: Extremely drought-tolerant once established, it does best when watered two or three times a month during the summer and once a month in winter. Light requirement: Full, reflected sun to filtered shade Mature size: 1 foot tall and 1½ feet wide Planting notes: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to light shade.
2. Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) Native to the desert regions of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado In spring, the deep green foliage of firecracker penstemon takes a back seat as 2-foot-tall spikes covered in 1-inch flowers burst forth, adding beauty to the landscape as well as providing a welcome treat for hummingbirds and bees. Flowering occurs primarily throughout the spring in most regions; in low-desert gardens, blooming begins in winter, and flowers begin to appear in high-elevation gardens in summer. Plant alongside boulders or scatter throughout the landscape for a natural look. For maximum color impact, group three together. Prune away spent flowering stalks to stimulate another flush of blooms. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 29 degrees Celsius (Zone 5) Water requirement: Drought-tolerant once established, it should be watered weekly when in bloom. Thereafter, water every two weeks in summer and monthly in winter. Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 1 foot tall and wide (2 feet tall when in flower) Planting notes: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun.
1. Tufted Evening Primrose (Oenothera caespitosa) Native to the higher elevation regions (4,500 to 7,500 feet) of the western United States In spring, the dark green foliage is covered in 3- to 4-inch-wide flowers, which can last through summer and early fall when provided supplemental water. The large white flowers burst forth toward the end of the day, fading to a delicate shade of pink the following day and adding a touch of drama to this hardy ground cover. This plant is best appreciated where people can view it in the late afternoon or early evening and early morning hours, when flowers are at their peak. Placing it along pathways or near a front entry ensures that you can get up close to enjoy the flowers. Use it as an understory plant for cold-hardy blue-gray or greenish-gray succulents, such as candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphilitica, USDA Zone 8; find your zone), whale’s tongue agave (Agave ovatifolia, Zone 7) and desert spoon (Dasylirion wheeleri, Zone 6), or plant underneath the iconic ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens, Zone 7). Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 29 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 5; find your zone) Water requirement: Water eve...
Perforated drains can be used as hidden drainage structures underground to collect and move water in poorly draining soils. Buried drains effectively pull moisture away from foundation walls and move water away from site walls and other structures. The Best Method for You You should choose the best option based on your site conditions and in consultation with a landscape architect. Ideally, the landscape architect will design a system that works best for the overall site. The cost of these systems depends on the amount of site grading and hard structures required for installation. Landscape contractors who regularly build swales and do major grading will most likely have a competitive price for doing this kind of work. I recommend getting several opinions before proceeding with the work. In considering your options, the size of your yard and the amount of runoff will be the biggest factors in determining the best method.
When Drainage Should Go Underground Subdrainage is preferred when there is not enough ground to work with for shaping and grading a swale that can handle all of the stormwater runoff. Tight urban courtyards are an example of when a homeowner might opt for buried drainpipes to carry away roof runoff from a large home. Subdrainage is hidden, occurring in underground systems of concrete catch basins and PVC pipes. Subdrains have become less popular as swales have grown in popularity. Swales can be used in conjunction with drain inlets or buried drains when there is not a sufficient infiltration area. Drain inlets are also often used as backup drainage for rain gardens. The rain garden is designed to handle runoff from the majority of storms, but in the event of a major 100-year storm, the overflow water will have a place to go via a drain inlet that connects to the city system. The far corner of the yard in this photo has a drain inlet that connects to a larger pipe drainage system. Drain inlets can be used in small urban gardens that do not have space for swales or do not have adequate soil depth for infiltration. Sometimes there just is not enough space on the ground to handle t...
Materials. The homeowners wanted low-maintenance floors that they could hose down (floor drains run along the perimeter of the room). The floors are salvaged antique bricks in a herringbone pattern. The walls are beadboard painted black. The rafters and V-groove boards on the ceiling are pine. They used flagstone on the sills around the room, which are large enough to hold pots. Heating and cooling. “The greenhouse is on its own zone and tied into the upgraded mechanical system so it can be heated and cooled appropriately throughout the seasons,
Q