Design ideas for a small traditional shade backyard formal garden in Portland for summer.

Design ideas for a large modern drought-tolerant and shade backyard gravel retaining wall landscape in Austin for spring.

Inspiration for a large modern drought-tolerant and shade front yard gravel retaining wall landscape in Austin for spring.

Meg Messina Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern shade backyard concrete paver garden path in San Francisco.

We mixed soft plumes of astilbe with striking spikes of veronica to create a tranquil tree-shaded garden. These contrasting textures blend beautifully with other shady perennials like dark purple heuchera, brunnera, and ferns.

We mixed soft plumes of astilbe with striking spikes of veronica to create a tranquil tree-shaded garden. These contrasting textures blend beautifully with other shady perennials like dark purple heuchera, brunnera, and ferns.

Out back, we were asked to tame a difficult slope. Erosion, shallow tree roots and fairly dense shade created a problem for the clients. We installed two types of carex: Everillo and divulsa' and created a pattern that simulates light piercing the forest canopy. Additional plants are autumn ferns, 'Soft Caress' mahonia and repurposed camellias.

Completed in the summer of 2013, this modern garden is located in Highland Park, Texas just north of Dallas. This garden features a modern edge with a swimming pool, concrete terraces, Ipe wood decks, a unique wood fence an outdoor shade structure with fireplace. The garden also includes and outdoor cooking area with Kalamazoo appliances.

Inspiration for a large modern drought-tolerant and shade backyard gravel retaining wall landscape in Austin for spring.

Close up of native woodland spiderwort. Have this purple, and pink and magenta (photos to be added later) This plant is a woodland ephemeral, slow grower, and it will go dormant by the heat of July and hide below ground.

Inspiration for a mid-sized shade side yard stone landscaping in Boston.

Inspiration for an asian shade side yard landscaping in New York.

This is an example of an asian shade side yard landscaping in New York.

2014 - Carolina Alspice - brown fragrant flowers - a woody shrub native to areas to the east, I am hoping it works well planted under the giant American Elm.

Shade garden designed and installed by Nature's Designs Low maintenance
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary shade front yard garden path for summer.

Caladium bulbs were planted with African iris along a fence to create an attractive border under the shade of an oak tree.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional shade backyard formal garden in Tampa.

Richard P. Rauso, ASLA
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard stone water fountain landscape for summer.

So you see the year 2 of this native woodland planting bed extending between the 2 white rocks at center left. As these plants succeed and fill in, the daylilies at right are phased out.

Shade Garden with Hosta's, Lamium, Ferns as the main focal points
Photo of a mid-sized shade backyard formal garden in Denver for summer.