During Construction - Michael Brennan
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in San Diego.

The stunning white walls of this Rosemary Beach house contrast with the Mediterranean Blue tiles of the pool. The five scuppers pour a stream of sound into the small pool courtyard, providing an oasis in this busy neighborhood. The compact, native landscape provides year-round color and interest. Photographed by: Alan D. Holt

Native to Africa and the island of Madagascar, these two forms of the ‘Madagascan Palm’, Pacypodium lamerei, are quirky, relatively easy to grow plants with leaves and spectacular, fragrant flowers appearing primarily at its top. Modest watering and full sunlight make this spiny specimen happy indoors or out. The shorter ‘crested’ example on the right is quite an anomaly, sought after by Pacypodium enthusiasts and amateur plant lovers alike. Although known commonly as a ‘Palm’, this particular variety is actually a succulent. If kept happy with sun and well-drained soil, expect to see growth of about 12 inches a year and regular blooms throughout the spring and summer.

This new 6400 s.f. two-story split-level home lifts upward and orients toward unobstructed views of Windy Hill. The deep overhanging flat roof design with a stepped fascia preserves the classic modern lines of the building while incorporating a Zero-Net Energy photovoltaic panel system. From start to finish, the construction is uniformly energy efficient and follows California Build It Green guidelines. Many sustainable finish materials are used on both the interior and exterior, including recycled old growth cedar and pre-fabricated concrete panel siding. Photo by: www.bernardandre.com

Saturday July 18, 3:30 to 6:00pm | Lakeville Native Wildflower Meadow and Woodland Garden Larry Weaner of Larry Weaner Landscape Associates In the area surrounding Lake Wononskopomuc in northwest Connecticut, two landscapes, each distinct yet inspired by the region’s natural environment, offer insight into the design of native landscapes and the role of the landscape architect in determining the trajectory of site evolution. Once a field of barren turf located along the lake’s northern shoreline, the first site has been transformed into a mature, native meadow, with spectacular diversity and full floral display. The second site, a more recent woodland planting on the lake’s eastern shoreline, supports a landscape in an earlier stage of evolution. While evidence of establishment techniques remain visible, this season marks a distinct moment in the landscape’s advance toward full maturity. Despite their modest size, these landscapes provide a momentous occasion to better understand designed, native landscapes and their growth and evolution. Born in the mind of the designer and bearing his thumbprint, these native landscapes spring from the dance between humans and the patterns and processes of nature. Photos courtesy of Larry Weaner Landscape Associates

Black chokeberry / Aronia melanocarpa

'Shoal Creek' Vitex Tree planted in a backyard by Treeland Nursery. This cultivar of Vitex was selected for it vigorous growth habit, large flower spikes and it produces the best blue-purple flowers. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.tree-land.com/tree-finder/tree/vitex-shoal-creek/?

Saturday July 18, 3:30 to 6:00pm | Lakeville Native Wildflower Meadow and Woodland Garden Larry Weaner of Larry Weaner Landscape Associates In the area surrounding Lake Wononskopomuc in northwest Connecticut, two landscapes, each distinct yet inspired by the region’s natural environment, offer insight into the design of native landscapes and the role of the landscape architect in determining the trajectory of site evolution. Once a field of barren turf located along the lake’s northern shoreline, the first site has been transformed into a mature, native meadow, with spectacular diversity and full floral display. The second site, a more recent woodland planting on the lake’s eastern shoreline, supports a landscape in an earlier stage of evolution. While evidence of establishment techniques remain visible, this season marks a distinct moment in the landscape’s advance toward full maturity. Despite their modest size, these landscapes provide a momentous occasion to better understand designed, native landscapes and their growth and evolution. Born in the mind of the designer and bearing his thumbprint, these native landscapes spring from the dance between humans and the patterns and processes of nature. Photos courtesy of Larry Weaner Landscape Associates

'Shoal Creek' Vitex Tree planted in a backyard by Treeland Nursery. This cultivar of Vitex was selected for it vigorous growth habit, large flower spikes and it produces the best blue-purple flowers. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.tree-land.com/tree-finder/tree/vitex-shoal-creek/?

Photo of a southwestern landscaping in Phoenix.

'Skylands' oriental spruce, male cones. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Eclectic home design photo in Charlotte

Photo of a farmhouse full sun stone landscaping in San Francisco.

Big Berry Manzanita / Arctostaphylos glauca

Low growing, spreading, American native with light lavender flower clusters. Incredibly heat tolerant. Use as ground covers or in planters. Southern Living® calls this perennial “bambi-proof.” FEATURES Bloom/Feature Lavender flower clusters from spring until fall Plant Type Annuals Evergreen or Deciduous Deciduous USDA Zones 7,8,9,10,11 Zone Detail Hardy to 0°F Key Features Heat tolerance, attracts birds/butterflies, water-wise, dwarf Use Border, container, groundcover, mass planting Exposure Full sun Bloom Season Spring, summer Dimension 12-14" H x spreading Growth Rate Moderate to fast growth CARE Water Keep on the dry side of moist Soil Type Well-drained garden soil Fertilizer Monthly in garden; bi-monthly in containers Pruning Prune as desired, but not required 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

Korean traveler fern. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Inspiration for an eclectic landscaping in Charlotte.

The way one chooses to maintain one's garden is an important element of design. One option is to leave intact last year's growth on warm-season grasses for their sculptural quality. We love how the native Meadow Petunia fills in all the gaps, while the Black Eyed Susans provide bright and bold contrast to the mix. We call these gardens "living landscapes" because the native plants they contain seed off and change locations from year to year in a dynamic, dramatic show. The gardener becomes audience, director, and dramaturge--all in one--rather than one who tightly controls the results. (What is a dramaturge, one might ask if their friends are not in the theater?) Oxford languages explains: "1. a dramatist. 2. a literary editor on the staff of a theater who consults with authors and edits texts." In living landscapes, the native plants become a sort of text which the gardener edits in order to shape the unfolding drama for the current and next season. The gardener chooses where to pull back overly assertive plants, when to nudge forward the under-confident actor waiting to shine, when to let the mystery unfold and surprise. It is not laissez-faire or "what will be will be"--rather, it is an ongoing movement rooted in observation and reflection. This is the living landscape we strive to design and build at The Natural Garden.

This compact, urban backyard was in desperate need of privacy. We created a series of outdoor rooms, privacy screens, and lush plantings all with an Asian-inspired design sense. Elements include a covered outdoor lounge room, sun decks, rock gardens, shade garden, evergreen plant screens, and raised boardwalk to connect the various outdoor spaces. The finished space feels like a true backyard oasis.

Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina jessamine). Tulinda's Garden, LLC

Patrick & Topaze McCaffery - Taproot Garden Design "October 2015: Connecticut Bluestone Full Range Pavers"
Design ideas for a large traditional full sun front yard stone formal garden in San Francisco for spring.