Super fragrant hyacinths in the colors of easter eggs --a great spring bulb that actually repels deer from your garden--strong fragrant plants like hyacinths, lavender and catnip are good additions to the front of your garden beds to keep deer from nibbling

As per the overall design, the owner built additional tiers flowing out from his existing Ipe decking to create a small 'Viewing Deck' close to upper waterfall. Ipe planters were installed in between the upper and lower deck with broad steps in between to leave the wide possible opening for an optimal view from kitchen window and the entertaining areas on the main deck out to the Wellspring area. The planters were finished with copper fronts and copper pipe detailing to match copper details in the existing deck railings. These planters are currently planted with lavender for their scent and strawberries for easy nibbles. photos Jane Luce

The open plan home leads seamlessly from the kitchen to this great social area. A comfortable seating area for coffee and cake or wine and nibbles on an evening.

Enclosed kitchen - traditional galley medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen idea in Santa Barbara with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets and a peninsula

Planting cone flowers in your garden ensures visits by butterflies and Goldfinch during the summer and early fall. Protect the early plants from deer as they are great nibbling food for them until fully open and cones hard. Beautiful varieties in pinks and whites and is a favorite in the Garden State. J. Lewis Photography

Spirea japonica 'Big Bang Double Play' - fall colors Le jardinet
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Seattle.

The open plan home leads seamlessly from the kitchen to this great social area. A comfortable seating area for coffee and cake or wine and nibbles on an evening and also a hanging chair, great for reading a book or watching the waterfront traffic sail by.

This outdoor area was designed to function as a mecca for all things fun for this family! There are two wicker "egg" chairs with upholstered seats, a funky blue bar cart, a sectional and outdoor kitchen, and a deck dining area that can be closed with fabric panels!

The open plan home leads seamlessly from the kitchen to this great social area. A comfortable seating area for coffee and cake or wine and nibbles on an evening and also a hanging chair, great for reading a book or watching the waterfront traffic sail by.

The open plan home leads seamlessly from the kitchen to this great social area. A comfortable seating area for coffee and cake or wine and nibbles on an evening and also a hanging chair, great for reading a book or watching the waterfront traffic sail by.

The open plan home leads seamlessly from the kitchen to this great social area. A comfortable seating area for coffee and cake or wine and nibbles on an evening and also a hanging chair, great for reading a book or watching the waterfront traffic sail by.

The open plan home leads seamlessly from the kitchen to this great social area. A comfortable seating area for coffee and cake or wine and nibbles on an evening and also a hanging chair, great for reading a book or watching the waterfront traffic sail by.

One of the homeowners favorite things about this kitchen is that the island is large enough for her to put food out buffet style. This allows friends and family to come and go as they need to get as much to nibble on as they would like. It also allows her to be in the functional areas of the kitchen without sharing that space. Photography by: Libbie Martin

This master bedroom suite with lounge area is finished with mountain modern furnishings from Aspen Design Room. Dark hardwood floors contrast starkly with the cream colored hide bed.

Ecosystem Ponds are the crown jewel of the Water Feature world. They soon become the centerpiece of your landscape. These low-maintenance, natural-looking water gardens work with Mother Nature, not against her, to stay clean and clear without using chemicals or UV sterilizers or anything artificial. The key is the symbiotic relationship between the Pond Fish, the beneficial bacteria, and the Aquatic Plants. There is no sound in nature quite as relaxing as moving, falling water. It soothes away your stress at the end of a long day and you instantly start to feel more relaxed. Watching the Koi and other Pond Fish gracefully swimming around and nibbling from the underwater rocks and gravel can be almost hypnotizing. A variety of birds come to drink and bathe in the stream and colorful dragonflies flit here and there on mosquito patrol. Water lilies bloom in almost every color you can imagine and you'll soon see that frogs really DO sit on lily pads! Having one of these Ponds in your landscape is like coming home every day to a private vacation retreat right in your own backyard! Texas Ponds and Water Features creates some of the most beautiful and natural looking Ecosystem Ponds and Water Gardens in the Austin and Central Texas area. We also work in the Houston, Southeast Texas area and almost anywhere in between. Working with only natural stone, our specialists craft waterfalls and ponds that look as if they had been carved by the hand of nature. Our two main pond guys have over 27 years of experience between them. We are at the Master level of Certified Aquascape Contractors--among the best in the world at what we do. Contact us today to get started on your own backyard paradise.

Photo of a farmhouse landscaping in San Francisco.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of a small city, a forested valley, which was previously overgrown with invasive plants, has become the home of a remarkable custom treehouse and native woodland garden. The owner wanted to create a small meadow garden as a place of respite from which to enjoy the woodland. This original concept progressively evolved to include pathways through the space, a pond to attract wildlife, an expanded native woodland garden, a firepit, and finally a treehouse with multiple green roofs. Its unique character and custom detailing are the result of the vision of the owner, the contractor, and the landscape architects. Thousands of native plants have been placed to restore the valley, but not without challenges. A large deer herd regularly visits the garden, as well as a flock of turkeys pecking at the seeds and smaller plants. Despite these nibbling visitors, the garden flourishes, and it is truly a peaceful retreat for the owners and a place of great exploration for their grandchildren.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of a small city, a forested valley, which was previously overgrown with invasive plants, has become the home of a remarkable custom treehouse and native woodland garden. The owner wanted to create a small meadow garden as a place of respite from which to enjoy the woodland. This original concept progressively evolved to include pathways through the space, a pond to attract wildlife, an expanded native woodland garden, a firepit, and finally a treehouse with multiple green roofs. Its unique character and custom detailing are the result of the vision of the owner, the contractor, and the landscape architects. Thousands of native plants have been placed to restore the valley, but not without challenges. A large deer herd regularly visits the garden, as well as a flock of turkeys pecking at the seeds and smaller plants. Despite these nibbling visitors, the garden flourishes, and it is truly a peaceful retreat for the owners and a place of great exploration for their grandchildren.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of a small city, a forested valley, which was previously overgrown with invasive plants, has become the home of a remarkable custom treehouse and native woodland garden. The owner wanted to create a small meadow garden as a place of respite from which to enjoy the woodland. This original concept progressively evolved to include pathways through the space, a pond to attract wildlife, an expanded native woodland garden, a firepit, and finally a treehouse with multiple green roofs. Its unique character and custom detailing are the result of the vision of the owner, the contractor, and the landscape architects. Thousands of native plants have been placed to restore the valley, but not without challenges. A large deer herd regularly visits the garden, as well as a flock of turkeys pecking at the seeds and smaller plants. Despite these nibbling visitors, the garden flourishes, and it is truly a peaceful retreat for the owners and a place of great exploration for their grandchildren.