Blue grey Festuca provides an interesting contrast to Carex pansa and mimics its mounded growth pattern. Photo: Orly Olivier
Photo of a modern landscaping in Los Angeles.

In the rear of the garden we built a deck and arbor. The stain we used was a Cabot stain color called "Driftwood". Although this garden was installed more than 20 years ago, it holds up well as an early attempt at using a native carex as a lawn substitute. Photo Chris Jacobson, GardenArt group .

The free-form flagstone walk leads from the living room through the Carex lawn to a carved stone water feature on the left, and a raised patio and arbor on the right. Photo, Chris Jacobson, GardenArt group

Photo by Pete Veilleux, East Bay Wilds California native meadow of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Carex pansa and Solidago californica. Photo by Pete Veilleux.

Visitors couldn't resist the IdealMow meadow of Carex pansa! Luckily, this Californa native grass can manage relatively heavy foot traffic and needs only 25-50 percent of the water needed by a traditional lawn. It maintains its green through high-heat and needs no chemical fertilizers of pesticides to thrive in Los Angeles. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

A trellised terrace opens up to a quieter view of a magnificent existing redwood grove and bioswale filled with clusters of ornamental grasses and perennials. Photography by Marion Brenner

Photo of a small modern courtyard concrete landscaping in San Francisco for summer.

Photo by Jay Sifford.
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in Charlotte.

Orly Olivier
Example of a minimalist home design design in Los Angeles

Streamlined walls complement the modern architecture of the home, retain slope, and offer a crisp backdrop for lush, colorful foliage. Photo: Orly Olivier

The simple, delicate blooms of Cassia and the plum tree have similarities, but the purple and yellow color provide yet another wonderful set of contrasts. Photo: Orly Olivier

Additional color is provided by Cassia artemisioidis (yellow), Aloe sp (coral) and Kangaroo Paw (deep pink). Photo: Orly Olivier
Design ideas for a modern landscaping in Los Angeles.

Naturalistic meadow.
Design ideas for a large rustic drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel garden path in San Diego.

Garden 38 in Pasadena
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Los Angeles.

This was a backyard renovation. There was an existing plastic tub pond with many perennials around it. We took out everything, saved as many perennials as we could and installed a new rubber lined, natural ecosystem pond, stream and waterfall. We redesigned the area and created a couple different seating areas along with a pathway over the stream. Transplanted the perennials and added a few new plants to add interest all year long. A year after installation we added an accent spillway bowl to the feature. They make great additions to existing water features or make great stand alone features. They can add extra movement to dead spots in ponds and more oxygen to the water. We put tropical plants in the bowl for extra filtration as well.

Garden 11 in San Pedro http://www.nativeplantgardentour.org/gardens/garden-11-in-san-pedro/

A South African Restio separates two pieces of art .. the water feature on the right comes from Living Green in San Francisco, and the perched figure on the left is from Vietnam. Photo, Chris Jacobson, GardenArt group

Irene Kalina-Jones
Photo of a contemporary landscaping in New York.

Mid-sized trendy backyard deck photo in San Francisco with decking and no cover