'Karl Foerster' reed grass, 'Purpurkerze' astilbe, and 'Limelight' hydrangea offer many colors and textures in this planting bed. Westhauser Photography

'Karl Foerster' grass, 'Rave On' heuchera and 'Summer Beauty' allium flank either side of the front walk. Westhauser Photography
Photo of a mid-sized traditional front yard stone retaining wall landscape in Milwaukee.

Custom built Corten steel planters stair step down the slope. Grid patterns tie into the windows and architecture of the home, while ornamental grasses and native shrubs soften the spaces. A small Kentucky Blue Grass lawn allows for play, while larger grass areas are composed of drought tolerant Blue Grama Grass. Gorgeous fall colors are afforded by Little Blue Stem and Karl Foerster Feather Reed grasses, and Low Grow Sumac

Patrick & Topaze McCaffery - Taproot Garden Design & Fine Gardening "UPDATE: April 2017 - Calamagrostis foliosa (Mendocino Reed Grass) and Sesleria autumnalis (Autumn Moor Grass) surround moss and lichen covered Sonoma Fieldstone Boulders throughout this garden."

Patrick & Topaze McCaffery - Taproot Garden Design & Fine Gardening "October 2016 - Calamagrostis foliosa (Mendocino Reed Grass) and Sesleria autumnalis (Autumn Moor Grass) surround moss and lichen covered Sonoma Fieldstone Boulders throughout this garden."

'Grey Owl' junipers, 'Crimson Fire' loropetalum and edgeworthia play well off of one another with regard to color, texture and shape. Photo by Jay Sifford.

Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Boston.

Custom built Corten steel planters stair step down the slope. Grid patterns tie into the windows and architecture of the home, while ornamental grasses and native shrubs soften the spaces. A small Kentucky Blue Grass lawn allows for play, while larger grass areas are composed of drought tolerant Blue Grama Grass. Gorgeous fall colors are afforded by Little Blue Stem and Karl Foerster Feather Reed grasses, and Low Grow Sumac.

Patrick & Topaze McCaffery - Taproot Garden Design & Fine Gardening "UPDATE: April 2017 - Sesleria autumnalis (Autumn Moor Grass), Calamagrostis foliosa (Mendocino Reed Grass), Satureja douglasii (Yerba Buena), and Baccharus pilularis 'Pigeon Point' surround moss and lichen covered Sonoma Fieldstone Boulders throughout this garden."

The pathway from the pool deck to the pool equipment is anything but mundane. An abundance of texture and color lead the eye through the space and away from the equipment. Photo by Jay Sifford.

Custom built Corten steel planters stair step down the slope. Grid patterns tie into the windows and architecture of the home, while ornamental grasses and native shrubs soften the spaces. A small Kentucky Blue Grass lawn allows for play, while larger grass areas are composed of drought tolerant Blue Grama Grass. Gorgeous fall colors are afforded by Little Blue Stem and Karl Foerster Feather Reed grasses, and Low Grow Sumac

Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster,' Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight,' and Astilbe chinensis 'Purpurkerze' soften the stone garage wall. Westhauser Photography

Patrick & Topaze McCaffery - Taproot Garden Design "June 2017 - Calamagrostis foliosa (Mendocino Reed Grass) interplanted with Lavendula angustifolia (English Lavender), with a backdrop of Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' (Manzanita)."

The leaves of an Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple) begin to fade to orange among tall, golden stalks of Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (Feather Reed Grass) and the gone-by blooms of summer Heather, Lavender, + Sage in this fall perennial garden.

Situated near the water in Old Greenwich, this landscape style fits in with a more natural and relaxed look. The landscape appears to come alive when the grasses and tall perennials sway in the ocean breezes. And long blooming hydrangeas and roses contribute intense color hues throughout the summer.

Part of an overall site plan, this is a simple planting along the side of a house and front porch area. In this photo there is 'Karl Foerster' feather reed grass, 'Ruby Ribbons' switch grass, 'Goldsturm' black eyed susan, 'Endless Summer' Hydrangea, 'Sugar Tyme' crab apple, and 'Happy Returns' day lillies.

The late season stalks of Calamagrostis acutiflora x 'Karl Foerster' (Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass) tower above Salvia greggii 'Flame' (Red Sage).

Westphalen Photography
Photo of a modern landscaping in Burlington.

Patrick & Topaze McCaffery - Taproot Garden Design & Fine Gardening "UPDATE: April 2017 - Low growing Calamagrostis foliosa (Mendocino Reed Grass), Sesleria autumnalis (Autumn Moor Grass), and Satureja douglasii (Yerba Buena) surround moss and lichen covered Sonoma Fieldstone Boulders throughout this garden."