Fall container garden

A small traditonal urban garden with beds scaled to accommodate low-maintenance color and foundation plantings, a stone patio, containers, roses and river rock. Roundtree Landscaping.

This was a fun and straightforward planting project in West Chester. The homeowners wanted to enhance their front yard landscaping and create a more attractive, inviting garden. After removing all the old, overgrown plants, we had a blank canvas to work with. We started by laying down 4 cubic yards of rich bio-soil to prepare the beds for planting. To anchor the front foundation, we installed two crape myrtle trees, one at each end, providing structure and seasonal interest. Near the walkway entrance, we added a Japanese black pine, which adds beautiful shape and texture to the garden. We then filled in the remaining open spaces with a variety of shrubs, including hypericum, clethra, weigela, boxwood, and dwarf butterfly bush, creating layers of greenery and depth. To bring color and seasonal blooms, we incorporated perennials such as aster, penstemon, coreopsis, and iris. We finished the project with a fresh layer of mulch and a perimeter band of deer deterrent to keep the garden safe from curious wildlife. The homeowners were thrilled with the transformation. They are enjoying a fresh, inviting garden that truly enhances the curb appeal of their home.

Even just a little moisture in the air in the middle of Texas August will produce an abundance of neon purple blooms on Texas Sage!
This is an example of an eclectic landscaping in Dallas.

White planters were one of the most significant design trends in NYC gardens this year. This garden on Manhattan's Upper West Side also includes evergreen junipers, crape myrtle trees, hydrangeas, Japanese andromedas, rhododendrons, and a yellow-leaf Japanese maple. All of the planters contain automated drip irrigation and low-voltage lighting lines. Read more about this garden on my blog, www.amberfreda.com.

Working closely with the architect and owners, we designed an estate landscape that realized this family’s vision for rugged charm that both recalls their Southern roots and draws upon the horticultural richness of the Bay Area. Photography by Marion Brenner

Photo of a southwestern landscaping in Phoenix.

This was a fun and straightforward planting project in West Chester. The homeowners wanted to enhance their front yard landscaping and create a more attractive, inviting garden. After removing all the old, overgrown plants, we had a blank canvas to work with. We started by laying down 4 cubic yards of rich bio-soil to prepare the beds for planting. To anchor the front foundation, we installed two crape myrtle trees, one at each end, providing structure and seasonal interest. Near the walkway entrance, we added a Japanese black pine, which adds beautiful shape and texture to the garden. We then filled in the remaining open spaces with a variety of shrubs, including hypericum, clethra, weigela, boxwood, and dwarf butterfly bush, creating layers of greenery and depth. To bring color and seasonal blooms, we incorporated perennials such as aster, penstemon, coreopsis, and iris. We finished the project with a fresh layer of mulch and a perimeter band of deer deterrent to keep the garden safe from curious wildlife. The homeowners were thrilled with the transformation. They are enjoying a fresh, inviting garden that truly enhances the curb appeal of their home.

Kalmia latifolia 'Olympic Fire' - Pink late spring flowering Mountain Laurel - evergreen shrub
Inspiration for a shade landscaping in Bridgeport for spring.

Photos by Debby Evans. This property slopes from the street to a seasonal creek in the back yard. Navigating the various spaces was troublesome so we created various, natural - as well as concrete steps, crushed granite pathways, stone steps, and flagstone - travel options throughout the landscape. Updated irrigation, efficient drainage, as well as dry creek beds to catch rain water that previously had simply gone directly at the residence were added. Many diseased, dangerous (hanging over the residence) oaks were assessed by several arborists. Sadly, more than 100 (mostly scrub oaks) required removal. This changed the natural lighting to the garden, how the sun impacted the residence, and offered opportunities to plant drought tolerant trees and shrubs of both visual interest, and fitting the space. Client had quite a few Japanese Maples that had originally been volunteers from a very large maple at another residence. All have been used and are doing beautifully. Olive trees and Little Ollie shrubs were used along with Carpet Roses, Lorapetalum, several varieties of Grevellia, Crape Myrtle Natchez and Red Rocket trees and shrubs, Maiden Hair grass, Blue Fescue, Redwoods, a specimen Limelight Hydrangea, Cistus, native Redbud, Vinca, Tree Hibiscus, Tree Roses, Birch, Dogwood, Penstemon, Pittosporum, Heavenly Bamboo, Miniature Roses, Succulents, Euphorbia, Bloodgood Maple, Redtwig Maple, Podocarpus and Oleander (screening), various groundcovers, evergreen shrubs and more were selected for their ease of care, color, seasonal color, and dynamic - but not busy - plant palette. The dated deck was redone with a relocation of the stairs to go directly to the pool. with a little effort, we saved the client hundreds of dollars on lighting by shopping for knock offs of higher priced lighting. A partial retractable awning, now provides an area of shade that was previously a non-issue over the deck with the oaks. The seasonal creek was completely cleaned out, made to be deeper and wider in anticipation of the heaving 2016 rains, with large native boulders from the property. Pistache trees were strategically planted for fall color. With one neighbor, on the West side of the property, vines were planted along their chain link fence for privacy for a private garden off the master bedroom. Wood fencing provides the majority of necessary enclosures.

Patio - mid-sized traditional backyard stone patio idea in Richmond with a fire pit and no cover

This project was designed and installed by Cottage Gardener, LTD. These photos highlight our effort to create seasonal interest throughout the entire year.

repetition of stone columns along stone capped stucco wall
Inspiration for a mediterranean drought-tolerant backyard stone retaining wall landscape in San Diego.

Combining colorful flowers and foliage with controlled growth, Purple Diamond® is a gem. Unlike some other loropetalums that can swallow your house, this one grows 4 to 5 feet tall and wide. Showy pink flowers appear in spring and sometimes summer. Deep, rich purple foliage holds its color all season. FEATURES Bloom/Feature Magenta ribbons in spring Plant Type Shrubs Evergreen or Deciduous Evergreen USDA Zones 7,8,9,10 Zone Detail Hardy to 0 F Key Features Deer resistant, reblooming, dwarf, year-round interest Use Accent, container, mass planting, slope, hedge Exposure Full sun to part shade Bloom Season Spring Dimension 4-5' H x 4-5' W Growth Rate Moderate to fast growth CARE Water Water as needed Soil Type Acidic, moist, well-drained, humus-rich Fertilizer Early spring Pruning Shape after spring bloom PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS water before planting plant in full sun to part shade dig hole 3X the width of pot, backfill and plant 1”-2” above soil level water and add more soil if needed mulch plants

Large transitional backyard concrete paver and rectangular pool landscaping photo in Richmond

Living room - traditional formal dark wood floor living room idea in Phoenix with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a media wall

Saturday, May 30, 10:30am to 12:00pm | Pacific Palisades Pacific Palisades Residence Isabelle C. Greene of Isabelle Greene and Associates, Inc. A paradisiacal cornucopia of fruit trees - apples, apricots, almonds, pears, and plums – is the first inkling this is more than just an older property remodeled for a family with four growing children. There are also pomegranates, limes, oranges, tangerines, lemons, persimmons, and berries; and the brilliant trunk of a specimen Mexican Fig Tree guides the color scheme for the entire project, and its structure provides a major focal point in the garden. In the entrance, the artfully feral use of California natives – drought tolerant radiant greens and subtle flowering accents – augments the stead of majestic Oaks that also provide a barrier from the street, creating a border between public and private. The driveway, lined with carefully sculpted boxwood hedges, leads to a gravel path that wends through woodland ferns, flowering Magnolias and an allée of Crape Myrtles. The theme of formality meets rusticity plays out in numerous features including a raised bed kitchen garden, a glass-tiled sandstone fountain, broken concrete terracing, an outdoor fireplace and a pool/spa. One lucky visitor will be able to enjoy all of this from the hammock. Photos by Matt Dayka

We were asked to create something really special for one of our most admired clients. This home has been a labor of love for both of us as we finally made it exactly what she wanted it to be. After many concept ideas we landed on a design that is stunning! All of the elements on her wish list are incorporated in this challenging, multi-level landscape: A front yard to match the modern traditional-style home while creating privacy from the street; a side yard that proudly connects the front and back; and a lower level with plantings in lush greens, whites, purples and pinks and plentiful lawn space for kids and dogs. Her outdoor living space includes an outdoor kitchen with bar, outdoor living room with fireplace, dining patio, a bedroom-adjacent lounging patio with modern fountain, enclosed vegetable garden, rose garden walk with European-style fountain and meditation bench, and a fire pit with sitting area on the upper level to take in the panoramic views of the sunset over the wooded ridge. Outdoor lighting brings it alive at night, and for parties you can’t beat the killer sound system!