In 2014, visitors on the Santa Monica Conservancy Tour were wowed by the back garden's overflowing vegetable beds. The play-ready IdealMow lawn featured here needs less than 50 percent of the water a traditional lawn needs to thrive. Because it needs no fertilizers or pesticides, it is a smart companion to the edible gardens at its edge - and a great addition to any bee-utiful garden in need of play space. Photo: Orly Olivier

A conceptual framework of long, straight lines anchors the landscape design for this proposed contemporary house set in a rural wetland environment. Against this datum, the site’s subtleties reveal themselves for interpretation and appreciation. The iconic element of a strong axial grass ‘runway’ serves both as a horizontal extrusion against which to read the natural topography and also as a platform for viewing the site’s wetlands. A monolithic retaining wall stratifies the entry area into a lower, private parking court and an upper, public one, which is further defined by a series of rough-hewn stone planters containing formal plantings of dogwoods. These planters break the plane of the retaining wall and extend to the ground, alluding to the substantial bedrock deposits that underlie much of the site. Stepped down from this plane is the fire pit terrace, nestled into the rocky structure of the site and offering views towards a vernal pond. Scott Carman

Photo by Jocelyn H. Chilvers
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in Denver.

Virginia bluebells growing under an English walnut. Mid-April 2014. Photo credit: Curtis Adams, 2015
Inspiration for a rustic landscaping in DC Metro.

Invincibelle® Spirit II Smooth Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens
Photo of a landscaping in Chicago.

Kirsten Coffen
Photo of a small asian partial sun courtyard gravel landscaping in Baltimore.

Design: Eric Blanz of Blanzscape LLC Photo: Margot Hartford © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for a tropical landscaping in San Francisco.

A beautiful bronze lockable bar latch (50-420) with a lovely Iron lock and hand made cute handles for decoration.
Mountain style detached shed photo in Los Angeles

Artificial grass requires no mowing, watering, or fertilizing. Dog urine won't stain or discolor the artificial grass. Clean ups on artificial grass are easier than on natural grass. If you're tired of re-sodding year after year due to your dogs then consider an artificial grass dog run from PlushGrass. Additionally, your dog(s) won't track dust or mud into the house with an artificial lawn or dog run area.

Indian Pink and Foamflower planted in a border in Haymarket, VA. Photo and design by Lea Wolf/Lush Life Landscapes, used with permission.
Inspiration for a landscaping in Other.

Mirador Builders
Inspiration for a large tropical full sun backyard gravel driveway in Houston for spring.

Modern landscape with custom IPE deck and in ground spa, drought resistant planting, outdoor lighting
Design ideas for a large mid-century modern drought-tolerant and full sun backyard wood fence raised garden bed in San Francisco with decking for summer.

Lila Delman
Inspiration for a timeless shed remodel in Providence

Philadelphus 'Manteau d'Hermine' is a small, deer resistant plant with fragrant white flowers in May-June. Designing Eden llc
Inspiration for a landscaping in New York.

This is an example of a farmhouse landscaping in Sacramento.

Terran Landscapes http://www.terranlandscapes.com Project Entry: Fishers Woodland Garden 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Theme Garden $15,000-$30,000 Award Level: Bronze Photo Description: We were contracted by the client to design a calming space for their staff to relax, take a walk, and enjoy a leisurely lunch as well as to provide their grandchildren a place to run and pick flowers. The space was originally dominated by large trees and had been overgrown with ivy, sumac and aggressive vines, providing an unwelcome, dark space with little color or visual appeal. The client requested a colorful blend of shrubs and perennials that would provide interest throughout the seasons, as well as provide privacy by screening the street traffic along Carisbrooke Road. Our goal was to create the privacy screen along the road by layering plants from the ground to the tree canopy. The theme was to let nature inspire the landscape, allowing a space that was originally woodland to become an enhanced version of itself, creating a beautiful habitat for birds and butterflies to excite the senses and satisfy all who enjoy the beauty of nature. We began by clearing the brush and removing all aggressive vines and ivy that jeopardized the health of the trees. We kept and transplanted all non- invasive or native plant material in the area to various locations throughout the property. Several yards of compost were then tilled into the soil and the existing trees fertilized to provide a rich growing environment. A few challenges occurred during the design process. It was decided that a new generator was to be installed in the woodland and due to a future addition to the house, we were forced to eliminate planned additional impervious pathway surfaces. We provided screening to hide the generator and buffer the noise, and created a meandering path and sitting area out of natural woodchips instead of the proposed bluestone to solve the impervious space issue. The woodchips add a sense of informality and invite the viewer to walk slowly through the space. The reduced noise from the additional screening of the generator allows for quiet reflection as chipmunks scurry and hummingbirds dart about between the flowers. Our plant palette consists of shady understory plants that thrive and flower vigorously from spring through fall. A tall, lush, evergreen backdrop of Ilex opaca and Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’ provides the screening and blends into a middle layer of ‘Ivory Halo’ dogwood, hydrangeas and winterberry hollies. Beautiful perennials and groundcovers bloom along the woodland path, providing a low visual layer of color and texture. Movement throughout the garden is provided by the graceful Calamagrostis brachytricha and Hakenchloa that soften the nearby hardscaping. The woodland floor is full of shade-loving Solomon’s seal, hosta, astilbe, ferns, bleeding heart, Tiarella and Aconitum. The street side of this woodland required plants with a preference for a little more sun and drought tolerance. A palette of oakleaf hydrangea, Agastache, Liatris and Rudbeckia softens the fence line and provides the desired color. As designed and installed, the woodland garden successfully provides the client’s family and office staff a quiet space where they can take a peaceful moment and enjoy nature. Photo Credit: Lisa C. Falls

A block of compressed, dried coir (coconut husk fiber). Coir soaks up 5 times its weight in water, and holds it in the potting mix for plants. Unlike peat moss, coir won't repel water if it dries out. An abundant byproduct of the coconut industry, it's more sustainable than peat. I still add some peat to potting mixes for acid-loving plants like blueberries, but use coir for all other uses. Photo by Steve Masley

Artificial grass requires no mowing, watering, or fertilizing. Dog urine won't stain or discolor the artificial grass. Clean ups on artificial grass are easier than on natural grass. If you're tired of re-sodding year after year due to your dogs then consider an artificial grass dog run from PlushGrass. Additionally, your dog(s) won't track dust or mud into the house with an artificial lawn or dog run area.

A “Little Free Library” with a bespoke rustic bench on the outside of the wall has become a neighborhood gathering spot.
Photo of a small eclectic drought-tolerant and full sun front yard stone and stone fence landscaping in Los Angeles for spring.