Wrought fencing, a hallmark of Spanish Colonial design, would provide little privacy from the street. Now established trees are joined by California Lilac and Coffeeberry Ito give the meadow a secret garden feel.

A stabilized granite walking path allows a natural area for walking meditation which feels like part of the surrounding landscape, yet provides a level of protection.

This private residence and backyard retreat in Dallas, Texas features an expansive natural pool and water feature with the addition of a new outdoor pool pavilion for outdoor entertaining. This new pavilion features detailed wood columns, a slate roof, stone fireplace, Big Ass fan, built-in seat benches and an outdoor shower on the backside. Lush landscaping and a personal putting green are also additional amenities provided to this outdoor space.

Bottlebrush buckeye in the background of this planted area is not only a reliable choice for the region, it also provides summer flowers which are known to attract a variety of butterflies. Lining this area are bold, sweeping duffs of fern which provide a picturesque contrast to the grass and boxwoods in front of the home.

This coastal garden is located 4 hours north of Sydney. This garden has been an ongoing project for Secret Gardens over the last decade. The original brief was for a ‘mini botanic garden’ which proved a challenge on a site with little tree or vegetation cover and limited top soil. The plantings are 95% native, from the establishing rainforest where over 25 varieties of trees have been used to the drier areas where Callistemon, Kangaroo Paw and ornamental grasses have been used in large swathes.The result now is an established garden that will continue to evolve and provide great enjoyment for our clients.

The gardens in their first year. All of the plants are native to the Northeast. Joe Pye Weed is front and center here.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional partial sun backyard stone formal garden in Portland Maine for summer.

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.

The cascading fieldstone boulder steps make a friendly request to take the informal journey to the water's edge. They are borders on both side by a variety of native plants to include hydrangea, sylvia, and feather reed grass creating a natural feel while providing much needed privacy to this narrow back yard.

Natural slab paving with native plantings modernize a traditional design while providing increased permeability and supporting pollinators.
Photo of a transitional full sun front yard stone formal garden in Boston.

New garden complete. Pea gravel path leads users through a native plant garden with the essence of a geological feature. The grassland provides year-round interest, attracts birds and pollinators, and functions as a drainage solution, efficiently diverting enormous amounts of runoff away from the home where it had previously pooled after rain showers and spring snowmelts. Photo by Jess Ray Photography

New garden complete. Pea gravel path leads users through a native plant garden with the essence of a geological feature. The grassland provides year-round interest, attracts birds and pollinators, and functions as a drainage solution, efficiently diverting enormous amounts of runoff away from the home where it had previously pooled after rain showers and spring snowmelts. Photo by Jess Ray Photography

This heavy garden gate is intended as a deer fence to protect a native plant collection within, but also provides nice detail for the craft loving owners.

Inspiration for a contemporary landscaping in Los Angeles.

Providing a natural habitat for native bee, birds and butterflies, this client asked for native plants outside the balcony porch. Our designer planted such native plants as purple milkweed, hyssop, woodland sunflowers and wild bergamot requiring less water, fertilizer and maintenance. A custom-made bird bath, hand carved from granite with a steel base attracts all kinds of nature to this secret garden. Rusted steel edging follows the path as it curves the bank of the slope. Photography: Laurel Stacy Photography

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.

Chicken share their yard with three mult-bud fruit trees and a fig tree providing 9 varieties of the 20 varieties of fruit onsite

One of three back yard gardens that Earthwise designed and installed. Blueberries and Aster provide early fall color, which will be followed by the foliage of the Oakleaf Hydrangea.

Salvia just getting established. Planting around the perimeter will eventually soften the fence and provide privacy.
Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Sacramento

A variety of plants provide juxtaposition with regard to texture, color and shape in the planting beds. The round buried boulders and repurposed 'Kaleidoscope' abelia speak to one another and provide rhythm throughout the space. Photo by Jay Sifford.