Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project. The project includes a large camaru deck with built-in seating. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. I also used Dymondia ground cover to create a natural pathways within the garden. This project was just completed. More photos will be included in Spring when the plantings fill in. Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Landscape Designer, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design.

Stone pathway leading up to the house.
This is an example of a modern landscaping in New York.

John Firak
Example of a transitional sunroom design in Chicago with a skylight

In this Florida backyard, the rock garden wall and steps lead to the boat dock. The rocks are planted with tropical ground cover plants. Backyard design and installation by Waterfalls Fountains & Gardens Inc. Tropical planting design and installation by Ultimate Landscaping

Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is an evergreen, low growing ground cover that is extremely low maintenance. It is tolerant of a wide range of conditions from sunny to part shady and with very dry to normal soil. This photo was taken just a few months after installation of one-gallon size plants. The fast growth and explosion of spring color is due to providing optimum conditions. We prepared the soil in the area 6" deep rather than planting in hard compacted clay. The client was amazed and delighted that we could turn this problem area into the envy of the neighborhood in just a few months. With another years growth, this ground cover will be a solid beautiful mass of drifting spring color. Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project. The project includes a large camaru deck with built-in seating. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. Elfin thyme planted between the pavers along with shiny Mexican pebbles. Blue Oak Grass adds a strong contrast. This project was just completed. More photos will be included in Spring when the plantings fill in. Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Landscape Designer, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design.

Steep, steep slope below a Sausalito home with dramatic views. New plantings include a combination of CA native trees and shrubs, succulents, euphorbia, new zealand flax, rubus ground cover, native grasses/grass-like plants. Designed to provide erosion control and dramatic plant textures, structure and colors when viewed from the decks above. Photos and Landscape Design © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. http://www.digyourgarden.com

⭐How to landscape the small Chicago front yard: 1. Create layers with various plant and shrub heights 2. Use plantings that have all season interest 3. Opt for a ground cover as an alternative to mowed grass 4. Hide electric boxes with tall grasses and evergreen shrubs 5. Elevate the luxury of the walkway with blue stone pavers Get more front yard landscape ideas here. >> http://www.evergreenlandscape.net/landscape-design/ Best Landscaper, St. Charles, Naperville

Lakeside outdoor living at its finest
This is an example of a large coastal full sun and rock side yard stone landscaping in Boston.

Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project along with replacing the lawn with CA native and low water plants and a total renovation. The project includes a large camaru deck with built-in seating. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. I also used Dymondia ground cover to create a natural pathways within the garden. Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Design Eileen Kelly

Inspiration for a small drought-tolerant front yard concrete paver landscaping in Los Angeles.

Jacky Surber This garden is only a year old! Thanks to quarterly applications of compost tea it is really thriving. Healthy soil makes for healthy plants and a lush look soon after planting. Bright orange kalanchoe 'Flap jacks' and aloe blossoms contrast with the subtle blues and greens from the surrounding foliage of dymondia ground cover and other succulents.

Left to right. the Chamacyparis Torulosa Pom Pom, behind it is a Thuja Rheingold on Standard. The Tall tree is Cedar of Lebanon. the 3 balls in front are Chamacyparis Psifera gold mop. a weeping blue spruce, weeping Japanese maple Tamayukama, Miss Molly Butterfly bushes are behind the yellow balls. The green ground cover is Mazus Reptans. Whew!

It was pretty much a blank area but with some elevation issues. The seating wall served 2 purposes as a seating space but also to retain some of the patio. Natural fieldstone steppers lead from the driveway area to the patio. An assortment of perennials and plantings soften the hardscape project. Serviceberry, hybrid dogwood, and a large dwarf pine are the anchor plants. We also created a raised vegetable garden space off the patio too. Marc Depoto (Hillside Nurseries Inc.)

The front areas of this landscape were transformed from a tired, water thirsty lawn into a contemporary setting with dramatic concrete pavers leading to the home's entrance and a new driveway using large concrete slabs with small black pebbles set in resin. Plants for sun and part shade complete this project. They include Bulbine frutescens 'Hallmark', a non-stop bloomer in northern california with orange/yellow flowers, with Creeping Raspberry (Rubus pentalobus) a tough ground covers that forms a dense matt. Elfin thyme ground cover softens the concrete pathway, and mondo grass on other side of pathway with a Japanese Maple tree accented with Mexican pebbles. Completed in February 2014. The back areas of this transformation are in a separate project: Modern Water-Side Landscape Remodel. Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design.

French Inspired Pool and Landscape by Marco Romani, RLA - Landscape Architect. Design and Construction of Entire Property by: Arrow
Elegant backyard stone patio photo in Chicago with a fire pit and a pergola

This pool is surrounded by a plant-covered retaining wall. © Holly Lepere
Pool - large mediterranean backyard stone and rectangular infinity pool idea in Santa Barbara

Situated in old Palo Alto, CA, this historic 1905 Craftsman style home now has a stunning landscape to match its custom hand-crafted interior. Our firm had a blank slate with the landscape, and carved out a number of spaces that this young and vibrant family could use for gathering, entertaining, dining, gardening and general relaxation. Mature screen planting, colorful perennials, citrus trees, ornamental grasses, and lots of depth and texture are found throughout the many planting beds. In effort to conserve water, the main open spaces were covered with a foot friendly, decorative gravel. Giving the family a great space for large gatherings, all while saving water.

Another fun Crestview project! This young couple wanted a back yard that reflected their bohemian-eclectic style and could add additional privacy from the ever climbing construction around them. A place for “hanging out and drinking coffee or beer in the backyard.” But what was most exciting, was the air stream they had just purchased and were in the process of restoring. With the end goal of using it as a guest home for family and friends, we were challenged with creating a space that was cohesive and connected this new living space with the rest of the yard. In the front we had another quark to fix. The sidewalk from their front door to the street suddenly stopped 5 feet from the curb, making a less than inviting entry for guests. So, creating a new usable entryway with additional curb appeal was a top priority. We managed the entertainment space by using modern poured concrete pad’s as a focal. A poured concrete wall serves as a bench as well as creates a visual anchor for the patio area. To soften the hard materials, small plantings of succulents and ground cover were planted in the spaces between the pads. For a backdrop, a custom Cedar Plank wall and trellis combined to soften the vertical space and add plenty of privacy. The trellis is anchored by a Coral Vine to add interest. Cafe style lighting was strung across the area create a sense of intimacy. We also completed the fence transition, and eliminated the grass areas that were not being utilized to reduce the amount of water waste in the landscape, and replaced these areas with beneficial plantings for the wildlife. Overall, this landscape was completed with a cohesive Austin-friendly design in mind for these busy young professionals! Caleb Kerr - http://www.calebkerr.com