Located on a steep hill above downtown Ventura, this modern Spanish house features panoramic views of town with the ocean and Channel Islands beyond. While the views are amazing from a large front deck, the steep slope presented some constraints on the landscape design. Although the property is about a third-of-an-acre, the only useable and open garden space is a small (about 500 square feet) area to the West of the house. The house sits at the back of the property, and another steep hill on the neighboring property behind is held back by a tall retaining wall, leaving just enough room for a narrow, hardscaped patio in the back yard. Bright plantings along the back of the property delineate the home from the neighboring property, and we chose plantings to help stabilize the soil and further develop the Spanish garden look while creating a lush, inviting feel. Additionally, we added 52 pieces of pottery to soften and add interest to the back garden and patio areas. Succulents, herbs, and California natives fill the pottery along with bright, sweet-smelling, tropical-looking, and climate-appropriate plants. Slope stabilization was paramount for the front hill. Beyond that, finding plants that would thrive on the steep slope was the next obstacle. Finally, the aesthetics could be addressed, and we worked to find plants that meshed with the architecture—blending plants with white and orange to play off the red-tiled roofs and white-plastered walls that are emblematic of the Spanish style of this house as well as the predominate style of the neighborhood. The flattish area to the West was designed with the idea of creating a contemporary take on the parterre garden. Reminiscent of Mediterranean gardens, this vegetable and herb garden substitutes formal hedges with formal Corten steel planters to honor the modern Spanish architecture of the house. The citrus, herbs, and vegetables serve the foodie clients well.

Interesting colorful perennials along path the sitting area. Photo by Jan Nelson
Inspiration for a small rustic full sun front yard stone garden path in San Francisco.

This is an example of a mid-sized rustic full sun front yard stone formal garden in Boston for spring.

NSPJ Architects
Photo of a traditional full sun front yard stone garden path in Kansas City for summer.

Gary Ward
Photo of a mid-sized coastal drought-tolerant and partial sun front yard mulch vegetable garden landscape in Seattle for summer.

The uneven back yard was graded into ¬upper and lower levels with an industrial style, concrete wall. Linear pavers lead the garden stroller from place to place alongside a rain garden filled with swaying grasses that spans the side yard and culminates at a gracefully arching pomegranate tree, A bubbling boulder water feature murmurs soothing sounds. A large steel and willow-roof pergola creates a shady space to dine in and chaise lounges and chairs bask in the surrounding shade. The transformation was completed with a bold and biodiverse selection of low water, climate appropriate plants that make the space come alive. branches laden with impossibly red blossoms and fruit.

Mike Dean
Photo of a contemporary backyard vegetable garden landscape.

Front yard with mortared stone wall and stairs, level gravel area with raised wood vegetable beds, custom steel screen, mixed shrub and perennial plantings

Photo of a mediterranean drought-tolerant front yard mulch vegetable garden landscape in Los Angeles.

The indoor/outdoor chicken coop is the charming focal point of the private vegetable garden.
Photo of a farmhouse full sun side yard stone vegetable garden landscape in Denver for summer.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard stone formal garden in New York for summer.

Edibles can be incorporated into designated veggie planters or planted directly into the garden. Incorporating fruit trees, blueberries, and huckleberries allow for convenient harvesting and munching by kids young and old.

Photo of a large asian partial sun front yard stone formal garden in Phoenix.

Photo of a large tropical full sun front yard stone driveway in Miami for summer.

A tiny outdoor space was made to feel larger by replacing the lawn with paved paths and a courtyard. New steps replaced a sloping path to the front door. This home now has great street appeal and the courtyard provides a pretty flower filled living space throughout the year. There is even a small vegetable box squeezed in.

Florida front yard garden design landscape design
This is an example of a tropical front yard landscaping in Miami.

A newly planted front entry garden in late June. I used a combination of Plumbago, Boxwood, Ajuga, Lobelia, Allysum, Vinca, Rhododendron, Petunia and Geranium. Landscape architecture, garden, masonry design and construction services in the NJ and NY areas

Custom designed front yard chicken coop made of western red cedar. Plantings in the foreground include Feather Grass, multiple citrus varieties, and edible artichokes.

Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in San Francisco.