During excavation for this new modern home, large granite boulders rose to the surface from the primordial hillside. Instead of displacing these monoliths from the site from which they were created, they were arranged to define space. A circle of boulders stand guard around a custom built fire pit, providing protection from the wind while offering a place to climb or sit. The extended landscape view from the lawn is kept intact by the introduction of a ha-ha, a traditional landscape feature, that hides the productive garden and keeps it from breaking the view. Native and drought tolerant plantings hug the outer edges of the property for minimal use of irrigation and to visually blend into the surrounding hillside. This project also features a custom ipe bench with integrated lighting, waterjet address numbers with night lighting, and hardscape that complements the form and materiality of the architecture to create a harmonious transition into the horizontal plane. Photography: Louie Jeon Photography

As you enter through the front door, you can see straight through the house into the backyard. Photographed by David Lauer Photography
Inspiration for a modern drought-tolerant front yard garden path in Denver for summer.

Designed by Stephanie Curtis, Landscape Architect. Installed by Curtis Horticulture, Inc.
This is an example of a mid-sized mediterranean full sun and drought-tolerant backyard gravel landscaping in San Francisco.

Photo By: Jude Parkinson-Morgan
Design ideas for a large transitional drought-tolerant front yard landscaping in San Francisco.

Already partially enclosed by an ipe fence and concrete wall, our client had a vision of an outdoor courtyard for entertaining on warm summer evenings since the space would be shaded by the house in the afternoon. He imagined the space with a water feature, lighting and paving surrounded by plants. With our marching orders in place, we drew up a schematic plan quickly and met to review two options for the space. These options quickly coalesced and combined into a single vision for the space. A thick, 60” tall concrete wall would enclose the opening to the street – creating privacy and security, and making a bold statement. We knew the gate had to be interesting enough to stand up to the large concrete walls on either side, so we designed and had custom fabricated by Dennis Schleder (www.dennisschleder.com) a beautiful, visually dynamic metal gate. Other touches include drought tolerant planting, bluestone paving with pebble accents, crushed granite paving, LED accent lighting, and outdoor furniture. Both existing trees were retained and are thriving with their new soil. Photography by: http://www.coreenschmidt.com/

Design ideas for a mid-century modern landscaping in Orange County.

Entrance walk edged with pineleaf penstemon and daylily. Spears Horn Architects
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun front yard stone garden path in Albuquerque for summer.

Photo by Caitlin Atkinson
This is an example of a modern landscaping in San Francisco.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional full sun and drought-tolerant backyard stone landscaping in Denver for summer.

Fire pit seating area with fountain and pathway to upper level landscape. ©Daniel Bosler Photography
Design ideas for a large contemporary drought-tolerant backyard concrete paver landscaping in Los Angeles with a fire pit.

Succulent wall
Photo of a small contemporary backyard landscaping in Orange County.

Sum and Substance Hosta. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Inspiration for an eclectic landscaping in Charlotte.

A low water-use drought tolerant succulent and ornamental grasses planting project in Pasadena, California. We used contrasting colors and textures of plant material to create a curb appeal for this spec home. The aloe and Agave american's are the focal points and add a great architectural element to the project.

This propery is situated on the south side of Centre Island at the edge of an oak and ash woodlands. orignally, it was three properties having one house and various out buildings. topographically, it more or less continually sloped to the water. Our task was to creat a series of terraces that were to house various functions such as the main house and forecourt, cottage, boat house and utility barns. The immediate landscape around the main house was largely masonry terraces and flower gardens. The outer landscape was comprised of heavily planted trails and intimate open spaces for the client to preamble through. As the site was largely an oak and ash woods infested with Norway maple and japanese honey suckle we essentially started with tall trees and open ground. Our planting intent was to introduce a variety of understory tree and a heavy shrub and herbaceous layer with an emphisis on planting native material. As a result the feel of the property is one of graciousness with a challenge to explore.

An Eichler remodel with a steep hillside garden. This project pushed the limits of creating flat space where there was none! The angular architecture of the garden is balanced with bold and textural free form plantings. Color, texture and juxtaposed angles.

Inspiration for a large eclectic drought-tolerant, full sun and rock backyard stone landscaping in Denver.

Photography: Gerardine and Jude Vargas
This is an example of a mid-sized mid-century modern drought-tolerant and full sun backyard concrete paver water fountain landscape in Phoenix for winter.

From the street, a round rock pathway leads to a small seating area next to the water with a small fire pit. Low maintenance, drought resistant and salt tolerant plantings were used in mass and clumps. This garden has become the focus of the neighborhood with many visitors stopping and enjoying what has become a neighborhood landmark. Located on the shores of Puget Sound in Washington State. Photo by R. Scott Lankford

Inspiration for a large contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun front yard gravel landscaping in San Diego.