Some summer favorites that bloom (& provide nectar!) for weeks.

Native willow woven in portal to provide master bedroom suite shade.
Example of a mid-sized southwest backyard gravel patio design in Albuquerque with a fire pit and a pergola

The owners of this traditional ranch home in an established neighborhood wanted an update to their landscape to create a more usable and modern space in keeping with the recent interior renovations. This entry courtyard provides a much needed walkway to the front door from the driveway as well as providing additional gathering space and seating to enjoy the new native garden.

This contemporary farmhouse is located on a scenic acreage in Greendale, BC. It features an open floor plan with room for hosting a large crowd, a large kitchen with double wall ovens, tons of counter space, a custom range hood and was designed to maximize natural light. Shed dormers with windows up high flood the living areas with daylight. The stairwells feature more windows to give them an open, airy feel, and custom black iron railings designed and crafted by a talented local blacksmith. The home is very energy efficient, featuring R32 ICF construction throughout, R60 spray foam in the roof, window coatings that minimize solar heat gain, an HRV system to ensure good air quality, and LED lighting throughout. A large covered patio with a wood burning fireplace provides warmth and shelter in the shoulder seasons. Carsten Arnold Photography

This artfully crafted room provides visual delights along with the audio pleasantries that a background sound system can provide. Automation allows for control without unsightly keypads and other controls through an ipad or iphone.

Little Heath andromeda has pink new growth in spring Le jardinet

This xeric landscape design is based on a desire for a front yard that is not only water wise, but colorful, interesting, and bird and bee friendly. I was able to use some water saving ideas for the garden while working around the homeowner’s beautiful and mature silver maple tree. We started by removing all of the thirsty turf and installing a drip irrigation system that efficiently waters each plant individually at its roots. I then designed a water wise front yard garden with bermed areas for contour, moss rock boulders for year round visual interest, pathways for navigating the garden, evergreen plants for winter greenery, and shrubs and perennials that bloom from early spring to late fall for as much color as possible through three seasons. The homeowners wanted a very detailed plant design, so I created two versions of the design, one with a plant key and the other with plant labels. The plant pallet features xeric shrubs and perennials that attract pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Many of the shrubs provide berries, not only for the birds, but also for the homeowners to enjoy. There are perennial herbs, medicinal plants and Colorado natives in the landscape design as well. This variety of plants transformed the front yard into a space that is water wise and functional as well as beautiful.

Wild Geranium / Geranium maculatum

This buckeye tree is a brilliant statement tree and a native option that still provides colorful blooms in the spring.
Large arts and crafts home design photo

Inspiration for a mediterranean home design remodel in Orange County

Native and arid-region plantings were used to unify the property while providing color and texture.
Southwest backyard pool photo in Phoenix

A sizable rustic fieldstone patio was created around a native grove of aspen. There is actually 2 patio space here divided from the grove. Large stone piers create some architectural interest but also have a hammock anchored to them. The dappled light provided by the Aspen trees makes for a pleasant cool place to lounge about during the mid summer season. Large dwarf unusual conifers, hydrangea and perennials soften the stone work. Marc D. Depoto (Hillside Nurseries Inc.)

Native beach grass and Rosa Rugosa, Beach Rose, provide stability to the sand dune.
Inspiration for a large traditional full sun front yard formal garden in Boston for summer.

Beautiful brick columns and wall with wrought iron accents provides privacy to a front yard. The mix of shade-loving perennials and evergreen plantings blend in with the native Pacific Northwest.

Pale purple coneflower / Echinacea pallida

Drought-tolerant, native Kinnikinnick ground cover provides a green "carpet" in the often troublesome parking strip.
This is an example of a small contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun front yard garden path in Portland for summer.

Juncus patens provides vertical interest and an architectural structure. It exudes contemporary, clean aesthetic. Photo: Orly Olivier
Inspiration for a modern drought-tolerant front yard landscaping in Los Angeles for spring.

Beautiful native planting provides butterfly habitat, water conservation and 75% water savings to a conventional landscape.
This is an example of a modern landscaping in San Francisco.