Tamara Alvarez
Design ideas for a small tropical full sun landscaping in Miami.

Hinoki cypress at edge of bluestone walk to pool, underplanted with Japanese Painted Ferns.
Design ideas for a large mediterranean partial sun backyard concrete paver formal garden in New York for spring.

Scott & Catherine Buley. High Tech Turf & Trees , Rain Garden Nursery. Views literally "Around the Property", via our designed encircling Rain Garden with clustered trees, draw guests out into and throughout this site. Photo taken Spring 2014, immediately after trees were planted, and before final shrubs and groundcovers went in.

Amelia B Lima
This is an example of an eclectic partial sun courtyard landscaping in San Diego.

Trace Robinson
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun front yard gravel landscaping in Santa Barbara for fall.

Photo: F. D. Richards, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution- ShareAlike 2.0 Generic American Elderberry / Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis

Blush Pink nandina is an exciting new version of the old standby Nandina ‘Firepower.’ Stunning pink new growth sets Blush Pink apart from its rivals. The pink color glows throughout the growing season leading up to a spectacular fall and winter display of bright pink and red foliage. A compact growth habit makes it ideal as a mass planting or a border. FEATURES Bloom/Feature Blush-colored young foliage Plant Type Shrubs Evergreen or Deciduous Evergreen USDA Zones 6,7,8,9,10 Zone Detail Hardy to -10 F Key Features Winter/fall foliage color, dwarf, year-round interest, fall blooming Use Accent, container, mass planting, slope Exposure Full sun to part shade Bloom Season None Dimension 2' H x 1.5-2' W Growth Rate Moderate to fast growth CARE Water Water as needed Soil Type Well-drained garden soil Fertilizer Early spring Pruning None 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; fertilize in early spring

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

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

Photo by Ketti Kupper.
Inspiration for a small backyard landscaping in Los Angeles.

Slow-growing, spreading branches to 15 to 20 ft. tall and wide. Full sun. Evergreen Conifer. Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar has drooping, dramatic form which makes this evergreen plant a striking addition to the landscape. It may be used as an accent planting or a large specimen tree. It is a focal point plant which can be featured in a garden spot certain to catch the eye of any visitors, and the twisted branch habit provides year round interest. Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar needs to be trained and may be espaliered, trellised or even grown as a bonsai plant to accommodate its placement in a garden. Elegant pendant branches display icy blue needles. Must be staked to desired height

A large 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in New York City’s High Line area exhibits artisanal, custom furnishings throughout, creating a Mid-Century Modern look to the space. Also inspired by nature, we incorporated warm sunset hues of orange, burgundy, and red throughout the living area and tranquil blue, navy, and gray in the bedrooms. Stunning woodwork, unique artwork, and exquisite lighting can be found throughout this home, making every detail in this home add a special and customized look.

The project consists of a two-story private residence and involves the use of four deliberately not new containers, two for each floor, perpendicular to each other to form a Latin cross. My interest in houses built with shipping containers began around 2015, when the use of containers as building materials became increasingly popular thanks to their resistance, wide availability, low cost and eco-friendliness. Always passionate about eco-friendly and sustainable architecture, in 2016 I decided to design my own house using shipping containers with the hope of one day being able to realize my dream: building a residence designed by myself and which reflects what I am passionate about and in which I believe from an architectural point of view. Since at the time I created the project I did not yet have land on which to build, the design was designed to be totally flexible, since the two floors can be reversed according to the needs of the land, without compromising the design and/or the livability of the house. In 2019 I bought the land where the house was built, a 1,500 m² property with a 360 degree view of the sea and hills without, however, a flat area. The containers were perfect for this type of terrain: being very light structures, they do not require large foundations and, consequently, the preparation of the ground is much quicker and much less invasive. Considering the exposure and shape of the land, as well as the 360 ​​degree view of the same, I decided to locate the two bedrooms on the first floor, with a complete bathroom and the walk-in closet for the master bedroom, while on the second floor we find an open space with kitchen, dining area and living room, a complete bathroom with laundry and two terraces. Outside, the house is surrounded by concrete slabs over artificial grass, and there is also an infinity pool that overlooks the sea view. The external appearance of the containers was deliberately left "raw", without covering them or eliminating traces of time and their journey, such as dents. The interior, however, contrasts with the attention to detail and the use of designer materials, lamps, furniture and other elements. The floor was covered with an epoxy resin and different techniques were used on the walls to create accents, such as marmorino, Venetian plaster, wallpaper, murals and rough stucco. The entrance and corridor on the first floor also serve as an art gallery, with works by local artists, to support the local economy. Both bathrooms are covered in porcelain tiles from the Mirage line, the taps are Graff brand and the bathroom furniture is by Lago Design, with Depth sinks in transparent glass, made from a carved trunk of century-old Wildwood oak. The heat treatment applied to the wood allows for total impermeability to water and very high resistance. A floating iron staircase passes above the office area with Punt furniture and leads to the second floor, where the Lube brand kitchen with Dekton worktops, Smeg appliances and sink are located. The dining table is P&J by Lago Design, the Lodes lamp with Diesel and the living room furniture are from the Spanish brand Fama. Finally, the outdoor furniture is designed by Roda, Tecninova and DKL. Construction, which began at the end of 2021, was completed in November 2022.

Inspiration for a coastal bathroom remodel in Los Angeles

Zebra grass for privacy screening
Photo of a mid-sized asian full sun backyard stone formal garden in Los Angeles.

New flowers of native composite Bush Sunflower (Encelia californica, Asteraceae)

'Jacob Cline' monarda. Westhauser Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized southwestern front yard landscaping in Milwaukee.

Trace Robinson
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun front yard stone garden path in Santa Barbara.

This bathroom wall was color washed and then the bamboo pattern was painted over it.
Inspiration for a small asian 3/4 green tile ceramic tile bathroom remodel in New York with green walls