Situated in old Palo Alto, CA, this historic 1905 Craftsman style home now has a stunning landscape to match its custom hand-crafted interior. Our firm had a blank slate with the landscape, and carved out a number of spaces that this young and vibrant family could use for gathering, entertaining, dining, gardening and general relaxation. Mature screen planting, colorful perennials, citrus trees, ornamental grasses, and lots of depth and texture are found throughout the many planting beds. In effort to conserve water, the main open spaces were covered with a foot friendly, decorative gravel. Giving the family a great space for large gatherings, all while saving water.

The pathway terminates just beyond the door to the guest cottage in a small, informal cigar patio.
Photo of a shabby-chic style backyard stone landscaping in Philadelphia for summer.

Terran Landscapes http://www.terranlandscapes.com Project Entry: Fishers Woodland Garden 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Theme Garden $15,000-$30,000 Award Level: Bronze Photo Description: We were contracted by the client to design a calming space for their staff to relax, take a walk, and enjoy a leisurely lunch as well as to provide their grandchildren a place to run and pick flowers. The space was originally dominated by large trees and had been overgrown with ivy, sumac and aggressive vines, providing an unwelcome, dark space with little color or visual appeal. The client requested a colorful blend of shrubs and perennials that would provide interest throughout the seasons, as well as provide privacy by screening the street traffic along Carisbrooke Road. Our goal was to create the privacy screen along the road by layering plants from the ground to the tree canopy. The theme was to let nature inspire the landscape, allowing a space that was originally woodland to become an enhanced version of itself, creating a beautiful habitat for birds and butterflies to excite the senses and satisfy all who enjoy the beauty of nature. We began by clearing the brush and removing all aggressive vines and ivy that jeopardized the health of the trees. We kept and transplanted all non- invasive or native plant material in the area to various locations throughout the property. Several yards of compost were then tilled into the soil and the existing trees fertilized to provide a rich growing environment. A few challenges occurred during the design process. It was decided that a new generator was to be installed in the woodland and due to a future addition to the house, we were forced to eliminate planned additional impervious pathway surfaces. We provided screening to hide the generator and buffer the noise, and created a meandering path and sitting area out of natural woodchips instead of the proposed bluestone to solve the impervious space issue. The woodchips add a sense of informality and invite the viewer to walk slowly through the space. The reduced noise from the additional screening of the generator allows for quiet reflection as chipmunks scurry and hummingbirds dart about between the flowers. Our plant palette consists of shady understory plants that thrive and flower vigorously from spring through fall. A tall, lush, evergreen backdrop of Ilex opaca and Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’ provides the screening and blends into a middle layer of ‘Ivory Halo’ dogwood, hydrangeas and winterberry hollies. Beautiful perennials and groundcovers bloom along the woodland path, providing a low visual layer of color and texture. Movement throughout the garden is provided by the graceful Calamagrostis brachytricha and Hakenchloa that soften the nearby hardscaping. The woodland floor is full of shade-loving Solomon’s seal, hosta, astilbe, ferns, bleeding heart, Tiarella and Aconitum. The street side of this woodland required plants with a preference for a little more sun and drought tolerance. A palette of oakleaf hydrangea, Agastache, Liatris and Rudbeckia softens the fence line and provides the desired color. As designed and installed, the woodland garden successfully provides the client’s family and office staff a quiet space where they can take a peaceful moment and enjoy nature. Photo Credit: Lisa C. Falls

Joslyn Amato
Inspiration for a contemporary gravel landscaping in San Luis Obispo.

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Photo of a large farmhouse full sun side yard stone landscaping in DC Metro for summer.

Situated in old Palo Alto, CA, this historic 1905 Craftsman style home now has a stunning landscape to match its custom hand-crafted interior. Our firm had a blank slate with the landscape, and carved out a number of spaces that this young and vibrant family could use for gathering, entertaining, dining, gardening and general relaxation. Mature screen planting, colorful perennials, citrus trees, ornamental grasses, and lots of depth and texture are found throughout the many planting beds. In effort to conserve water, the main open spaces were covered with a foot friendly, decorative gravel. Giving the family a great space for large gatherings, all while saving water.

This West Village rooftop garden features a custom ipe horizontal fence and planter, concrete pavers, and outdoor dining and sectional seating. It also includes black fiberglass planters filled with Japanese maples, bamboo, maiden grasses, hydrangeas, and knockout roses. This project was designed by Amber Freda in collaboration with Michael Wood Interiors. See more of our projects at www.amberfreda.com.

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Mark Tessier Landscape Architecture designed this textural, drought tolerant, warm modern garden to complement the mid-century design of the home. The use of various materials including gravel, wood, and concrete mixed with a lush drought resistant planting palette offer a homeowners and visitors a multi sensory environment. Photos by Art Gray

Wes Stearns
Inspiration for a traditional side yard landscaping in Charlotte.

A rustic walkway of irregular bluestone and a garden space heavily dependant upon texture: the robust foliage of Hosta and the feathery fronds of Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), contrast well with the delicacy of the Variegated Ribbon Grass (Phalaris arundinacea var. picta) across the path. A lot of interest can be generated within a small plant palette.

Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Atlanta.

Jacky Surber This garden is only a year old! Thanks to quarterly applications of compost tea it is really thriving. Healthy soil makes for healthy plants and a lush look soon after planting. Bright orange kalanchoe 'Flap jacks' and aloe blossoms contrast with the subtle blues and greens from the surrounding foliage of dymondia ground cover and other succulents.

Private layered green garden with stone, concrete and decomposed granite. The garden provides an intimate seating area adjacent to the family room - indoor outdoor living. Home design/renovation by Klopf Architecture. Acacia Cousin Itt, Lomandra 'Platinum Beauty', Dianella and no mow lawn create part of the overall planting palette.

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Step into a world of elegance and tranquility with our Japanese-inspired landscape design. Featuring a beautifully crafted wooden gateway, this serene garden path leads you to a peaceful retreat surrounded by lush greenery and natural stone elements.

The combination of natural stone walls and hedges assisted with the challenging site grading and was an opportunity to create the desired ‘secret’ garden feel.