APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Snowberry / Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus Photo: Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Situated in German Village this garden consists of an extensive perennial garden that has taken the place of the lawn. The garden provides a tremendous amount of privacy for the homeowners and at the same time provides a food source and the birds, bees and butterflies. Planted with many native species this garden is a true urban prairie.

Design ideas for a modern backyard pond in San Francisco.

There is no better hummingbird feeder than California native Hummingbird Sage. They will fight for the blooms! Even when not in bloom, its large, leathery leaves maintain its delightful fragrance and provide a beautiful, slowly-spreading groundcover.

Mockernut Hickory supports 235 species of caterpillars, including the Luna and Regal moths. Hickory nuts provide food for mammals and many birds. Trees give cover for birds and mammals, cavity nesting sites, and den habitats for squirrels.

Wood ferns (Dryopteris spp.) serve as host plants for several caterpillars, including Gueneria similaria. It provides year-round cover for small animals along with toads and lizards. Parts can be used in songbird nest construction.

These modest homeowners were looking for drainage solutions, low maintenance plantings, and an entertainment space they could enjoy outside. Mowing the grass had been a pain in the past, so with this design we decided to remove it entirely. Instead, more native grasses were utilized to take in water and reduce erosion. A new fence modernized and updated the space and allowed the interior of the backyard to be leveled providing more opportunities for design elements like a floating bench and custom built fire pit.

DRM Design Group provided Landscape Architecture and construction services for this Bixby country residence. The project consisted of a native plant palette, drip irrigation system, outdoor lighting, tree protection and low impact construction practices, custom metal trellis and arbors. The layout was simple and clean so as to not distract from the natural beauty of their surroundings.

I was thrilled to be selected as one of 10 designers around the country to design a bathroom space for Speakman faucets. Dave Kessler of Native Structures in Providence, RI was the amazing contractor. www.speakman.com www.nativestructures.com

Wild Ginger is the larval host for the Pipevine Swallowtail. Foliage provides cover for small wildlife and flowers attract pollinating insects (primarily flies and beetles). Ants eat the elaiosomes (small structures on seeds that contain lipids).

This shady front yard now has a screen of evergreen Camellia and Oakleaf Hydrangea. Astilbe will bloom for months in the summer. Native sword ferns provide year-round interest.

Situated in German Village this garden consists of an extensive perennial garden that has taken the place of the lawn. The garden provides a tremendous amount of privacy for the homeowners and at the same time provides a food source and the birds, bees and butterflies. Planted with many native species this garden is a true urban prairie.

This impressive rain cistern was installed to provide water to the raised keyhole vegetable garden and the owners' extensive houseplant collection.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard stone and wood fence landscaping in Austin for summer.

We built the deck around the tree that provides shade in the summer. Daniel Bosler Photography
Photo of a small contemporary partial sun backyard concrete paver outdoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court in Los Angeles.

This custom stone, woodburning firepit is surrounded by a stone sitting wall. Landscape boulders were placed for visual interest as well as sitting features. Native plants were installed at the woodland edge.

The Eastern Redbud is an excellent early pollen and nectar source for bees. It also is the larval host for 12 species of moths and butterflies including the Io moth. The seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals. Mature trees provide cover for wildlife.

New plantings added to planting bed behind outdoor kitchen to replace overgrown shrubs. Summer flowering native perennials were added to provide more interest during outdoor dining events.

Access to the lake from this charming home required navigating a steep slope. db landscaping LLC was able to negotiate this terrain and provide comfortable lake access using oversized natural stone steps and landings that meander through native plant material. The upper patio space provides natural outdoor gathering space directly off the main living area and allows for a perched view of the lake beyond.