Heucherella Pumpkin Spice used as entrance plant on both ends of the walkway, Star Magnolia visually separates the driveway space from the intimate space; limestone sundial was gift from parents.

The transition to several garden rooms, a gravel path leads from the rear terrace to the many spaces. The entry is flanked by the New England fieldstone seat wall, capped in blue stone. The path is lined with cushwa brick outlining the formal garden filled with boxwood, pachysandra ground cover, hydrangea, magnolia, and eastern redbud. Photo Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

This delicate Red Bud acts as a perfect frame for the boulders and white marble dry garden.
Photo of an asian landscaping in Manchester.

Situated on a long level lot in the small town of Kenwood, with fantastic views of Sugar Loaf Ridge, this client wanted their country home to meet their needs in a way their city house could not. The Master Plan included the layout and material selection for the following elements: a large rectangular pool with raised spa, pool/guest house, shade arbor, outdoor shower, children’s play structure, bocce ball court, fire pit patio, dining patio, outdoor kitchen, raised vegetable beds, composting bins, orchard and rose garden. With fuller plantings in the heavy use areas and minimal drought tolerant plantings for screening around the perimeter, this plan created a lush garden close in - while limiting maintenance overall.

During the construction of the addition to this centuries old San Francisco home, our firm was brought in to create a design for the upper and lower outdoor decks, and surrounding garden space. The spiral staircase was the link that allowed for maximum deck space below. The bottom deck was brought lower by taking two broad steps down from the house thus eliminating the need for railing. This was very important to the owners’ desire to feel connected to the surrounding garden. A fire pit, placed off of center, created the focal point for the seating area. A cobalt blue water feature was placed close to the house so it could be enjoyed both from within the house and while sitting on the deck. The many vibrant colored pots placed along the deck edges were planted with a small Meyer Lemon tree, herbs for cooking, and mint for tea, as well as some colorful ornamental grasses and perennials. On the upper rooftop deck, we installed numerous skylights to allow light to the lower addition, and added appropriate native plants and succulents. In the front of the house, we cut in two large street planters and added matching Olive trees, under planted with colorful Mexican Salvia and orange New Zealand Wind Grass.

A tight outdoor space was transformed into a natural backyard oasis. The multi-tiered deck leads onto a natural flagstone pathway with paver edging. The path opens into a circular fire pit tucked into the edge of the garden, enclosed with purple-leafed redbud trees and anchored with a mature fig tree. Dry stacked stone creates the curved bench, which also retains the elevated garden bed that wraps the fire circle. The natural cedar fence encloses the space and the custom gate becomes a garden feature of its own with a stained glass window.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard stone landscaping in Grand Rapids.

This house is a classic cottage located on a secluded, wooded street below street level. The goal with this project was to create a garden that fit the east coast feel of house while allowing the plants to flourish in the Southern California climate. Looking to Mediterranean adaptive plants we went with a plant pallet consisting of deep green foliage with white and purple flowers. We added the Purple-leaved Eastern Redbud trees to provide nice contract with the other deep green foliage used in the project. These deciduous trees will also work to help moderate the temperature in and around the house. In the heat of the summer when the trees are leafed out they shade the patio iand front rooms of the house. In the winter when the trees lose their leaves sun is allowed in to warm the patio and help heat the home.

This house is a classic cottage located on a secluded, wooded street below street level. The goal with this project was to create a garden that fit the east coast feel of house while allowing the plants to flourish in the Southern California climate. Looking to Mediterranean adaptive plants we went with a plant pallet consisting of deep green foliage with white and purple flowers. We added the Purple-leaved Eastern Redbud trees to provide nice contract with the other deep green foliage used in the project. These deciduous trees will also work to help moderate the temperature in and around the house. In the heat of the summer when the trees are leafed out they shade the patio iand front rooms of the house. In the winter when the trees lose their leaves sun is allowed in to warm the patio and help heat the home.

This house is a classic cottage located on a secluded, wooded street below street level. The goal with this project was to create a garden that fit the east coast feel of house while allowing the plants to flourish in the Southern California climate. Looking to Mediterranean adaptive plants we went with a plant pallet consisting of deep green foliage with white and purple flowers. We added the Purple-leaved Eastern Redbud trees to provide nice contract with the other deep green foliage used in the project. These deciduous trees will also work to help moderate the temperature in and around the house. In the heat of the summer when the trees are leafed out they shade the patio iand front rooms of the house. In the winter when the trees lose their leaves sun is allowed in to warm the patio and help heat the home.

This house is a classic cottage located on a secluded, wooded street below street level. The goal with this project was to create a garden that fit the east coast feel of house while allowing the plants to flourish in the Southern California climate. Looking to Mediterranean adaptive plants we went with a plant pallet consisting of deep green foliage with white and purple flowers. We added the Purple-leaved Eastern Redbud trees to provide nice contract with the other deep green foliage used in the project. These deciduous trees will also work to help moderate the temperature in and around the house. In the heat of the summer when the trees are leafed out they shade the patio iand front rooms of the house. In the winter when the trees lose their leaves sun is allowed in to warm the patio and help heat the home.

This house is a classic cottage located on a secluded, wooded street below street level. The goal with this project was to create a garden that fit the east coast feel of house while allowing the plants to flourish in the Southern California climate. Looking to Mediterranean adaptive plants we went with a plant pallet consisting of deep green foliage with white and purple flowers. We added the Purple-leaved Eastern Redbud trees to provide nice contract with the other deep green foliage used in the project. These deciduous trees will also work to help moderate the temperature in and around the house. In the heat of the summer when the trees are leafed out they shade the patio iand front rooms of the house. In the winter when the trees lose their leaves sun is allowed in to warm the patio and help heat the home.

This house is a classic cottage located on a secluded, wooded street below street level. The goal with this project was to create a garden that fit the east coast feel of house while allowing the plants to flourish in the Southern California climate. Looking to Mediterranean adaptive plants we went with a plant pallet consisting of deep green foliage with white and purple flowers. We added the Purple-leaved Eastern Redbud trees to provide nice contract with the other deep green foliage used in the project. These deciduous trees will also work to help moderate the temperature in and around the house. In the heat of the summer when the trees are leafed out they shade the patio iand front rooms of the house. In the winter when the trees lose their leaves sun is allowed in to warm the patio and help heat the home.

This house is a classic cottage located on a secluded, wooded street below street level. The goal with this project was to create a garden that fit the east coast feel of house while allowing the plants to flourish in the Southern California climate. Looking to Mediterranean adaptive plants we went with a plant pallet consisting of deep green foliage with white and purple flowers. We added the Purple-leaved Eastern Redbud trees to provide nice contract with the other deep green foliage used in the project. These deciduous trees will also work to help moderate the temperature in and around the house. In the heat of the summer when the trees are leafed out they shade the patio iand front rooms of the house. In the winter when the trees lose their leaves sun is allowed in to warm the patio and help heat the home.

Situated on a long level lot in the small town of Kenwood, with fantastic views of Sugar Loaf Ridge, this client wanted their country home to meet their needs in a way their city house could not. The Master Plan included the layout and material selection for the following elements: a large rectangular pool with raised spa, pool/guest house, shade arbor, outdoor shower, children’s play structure, bocce ball court, fire pit patio, dining patio, outdoor kitchen, raised vegetable beds, composting bins, orchard and rose garden. With fuller plantings in the heavy use areas and minimal drought tolerant plantings for screening around the perimeter, this plan created a lush garden close in - while limiting maintenance overall.

This house is a classic cottage located on a secluded, wooded street below street level. The goal with this project was to create a garden that fit the east coast feel of house while allowing the plants to flourish in the Southern California climate. Looking to Mediterranean adaptive plants we went with a plant pallet consisting of deep green foliage with white and purple flowers. We added the Purple-leaved Eastern Redbud trees to provide nice contract with the other deep green foliage used in the project. These deciduous trees will also work to help moderate the temperature in and around the house. In the heat of the summer when the trees are leafed out they shade the patio iand front rooms of the house. In the winter when the trees lose their leaves sun is allowed in to warm the patio and help heat the home.

This house is a classic cottage located on a secluded, wooded street below street level. The goal with this project was to create a garden that fit the east coast feel of house while allowing the plants to flourish in the Southern California climate. Looking to Mediterranean adaptive plants we went with a plant pallet consisting of deep green foliage with white and purple flowers. We added the Purple-leaved Eastern Redbud trees to provide nice contract with the other deep green foliage used in the project. These deciduous trees will also work to help moderate the temperature in and around the house. In the heat of the summer when the trees are leafed out they shade the patio iand front rooms of the house. In the winter when the trees lose their leaves sun is allowed in to warm the patio and help heat the home.

This house is a classic cottage located on a secluded, wooded street below street level. The goal with this project was to create a garden that fit the east coast feel of house while allowing the plants to flourish in the Southern California climate. Looking to Mediterranean adaptive plants we went with a plant pallet consisting of deep green foliage with white and purple flowers. We added the Purple-leaved Eastern Redbud trees to provide nice contract with the other deep green foliage used in the project. These deciduous trees will also work to help moderate the temperature in and around the house. In the heat of the summer when the trees are leafed out they shade the patio iand front rooms of the house. In the winter when the trees lose their leaves sun is allowed in to warm the patio and help heat the home.

This house is a classic cottage located on a secluded, wooded street below street level. The goal with this project was to create a garden that fit the east coast feel of house while allowing the plants to flourish in the Southern California climate. Looking to Mediterranean adaptive plants we went with a plant pallet consisting of deep green foliage with white and purple flowers. We added the Purple-leaved Eastern Redbud trees to provide nice contract with the other deep green foliage used in the project. These deciduous trees will also work to help moderate the temperature in and around the house. In the heat of the summer when the trees are leafed out they shade the patio iand front rooms of the house. In the winter when the trees lose their leaves sun is allowed in to warm the patio and help heat the home.