This delightfully private patio sits under expansive tree canopy in the front garden. Wrapped in dense, native foliage it is full of fragrance and wildlife. Natural stone with decomposed granite joints allows water to sink into the soil to feed the surrounding foliage. The homeowners enjoy taking their coffee and lunch under the vintage chandelier.

April showers bring April flowers too! Flowering Cherries are bursting with color right now, bringing splashes of pink to landscapes across the world. Stay tuned for Pears, Magnolias, Dogwoods and Redbuds.

At the top of the trail, a Western Redbud deepens shade. It's pink blooms and seeds lift the eye from the magenta of Hummingbird Sage blooms and an expansive river-rock-filled divot, designed to help sink stormwater.

John Cole Photography
Inspiration for a modern shed remodel in DC Metro

---Landscape Design and Photography by: Marco Romani, RLA. ---Construction/Installation by: www.thearrowshop.com
Design ideas for a traditional front yard landscaping in Chicago.

Streamlined walls complement the modern architecture of the home, retain slope, and offer a crisp backdrop for lush, colorful foliage. Photo: Orly Olivier

Home design - contemporary home design idea in New York

This is an example of a craftsman landscaping in Salt Lake City.

This overgrown, rectangular yard in San Francisco is home to a young couple, their 3-year-old daughter, and twins that were on the way. Typical of many San Francisco yards, it is accessed from the back deck down a long set of stairs. The client wanted to be able to spend quality time in the yard with her two new babies and toddler. The design includes a play structure, a covered sand box, a small raised planter for playing in the dirt. Due to the limited space, several trellises were added to the side and back fence so that vines could add color surrounding the new play area. Covering an existing concrete pad with cut Connecticut Bluestone enhanced the adult seating area and was surrounded by low maintenance colorful planting beds. A simple but beautiful walkway of stones set in lose pebbles connects these two use areas. Custom lattice was added onto the underside of the deck to hide the large utility area. The existing deck and stairs were repaired and refurbished to improve it’s look and longevity. The clients were very happy with the end result which came in on time and budget just as the twin girls were born.

With this client who has been passionate about plants all his life, there was naturally a close collaboration and a lot of input from him. Upon closer inspection you'd find some very exceptional plants that are sort of experimental but "all worth the try" in Gordon's eyes. And he is right! I relished the opportunity to use Star Magnolia stellata, Redbud Cercis 'Avondale' and 'Silver Cloud', Arabian Lilac 'Grand Duke of Tuscany', Royal Bromeliad Vriesea imperialis, also many unusual bulbs such as Scilla. Besides structure providing shrubs and trees (Tecoma, existing Indian Hawthorne with beautiful structures, Sweet Pea Bush, Golden Breath of Heaven, Ilex, Ginkgo, Bronze Loquat etc.) you'll see here also my favorite perennials, succulents and grasses, all as low care and undemanding as well as low-water as possible, to keep the landscape colorful and interesting year round. One of the highlights of this garden are the dry stream beds, bird bath and garden bench that we added. Built originally by himself and his wife, the dry stream beds were overgrown, mostly hidden by plant debris, or half rolling down hill. We had fun selecting a mixed collection of colorful and richly textured boulders of various sizes over, and with the input from 7 team members: Gordon, me, the contractor, the supervisor and three workers, we re-created the stream beds, making sure that anchor stones on the sides were well embedded in the slope, and that stone shelves and “top dressing” with smaller pebbles would add to the visual interest. Now these beds form very pleasing architectural features that look like they have always been there. We were all surprised how quickly all plants adapted to the site and started growing and putting out bloom. Now the old birdbath, a traditional white thing with dove figurines resting on the scalloped bowl, looked out of place, and I suggested to replace it with a stone bowl. And that part of the garden just called for a bench under the Macademia nut tree, to observe the birds and contemplate the whole creation. Only stone would do, but not any stone! Gordon picked a Basalt boulder that was naturally bowl shaped. It’s so heavy that it took 8 men to heave it into place! The Basalt bench was not much lighter, and together they make a very inviting scene. This job should last for a while. Photographed by Emma Almendarez at http://www.emmatheodoraphotography.com/

King Garden Designs
Photo of a traditional landscaping in New York.

Simply gorgeous at tour time, the water positive features at the Retreat go to work during rainy season. Expansive tree canopy slows rainfall. Large shrubs and ground covers help spread it. Rock bands in the driveway catch and redirect it into planted spaces. Bioswales help the garden sink water into the groundwater table. In fall and winter, the copper leaves of a Western Redbud add a pop of seasonal color to an abundance of lush, leafy greenery. Along the right, several native holly leafed cherry shrubs define the property line, providing privacy as they feed the birds.

Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in New York

This flowering tree is a Alley Cat Redbud it is an deciduous Texas Native large tree growing about 15'x15' blooming in early spring.
Design ideas for a large full sun front yard landscaping in Dallas for spring.

Eastern Redbud leaves emerge from a riot of candy-pink blooms in spring and transition to a deep maroon in fall.
This is an example of a mid-sized mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun front yard gravel garden path in Los Angeles for fall.

John Cole Photography
Minimalist shed photo in DC Metro

photo-Caitlin Atkinson This is one of the new pathways that we were able to create where there had formally been lawn. By mounding the planting areas, we were able to introduce healthy new soil.

Dry-stacked natural stone wall completed with grading and new sod installation. Cherry, Redbud and Dogwood trees were added to the top lawn terrace space. Photo by Garth Woodruff

Upper Walkway
This is an example of a large mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone garden path in Other for summer.