Photo of a large southwestern partial sun backyard stone formal garden in Atlanta for spring.

Offset Buff stone slab staircase- accent black granite boulders - LED Vista Professional lighting. ELCPhoto.com
Photo of a traditional stone garden path in Denver.

Inspiration for a modern backyard pond in San Francisco.

Ralph Mercer
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Boston.

In the same woodland garden in spring you can see a carpet of tiarella, violas, golden seal, columbine, sedums with virginia creeper on the wall and goat's beard in the corner between the steps and the wall. This image was captured in late May.

Ralph Mercer
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in Boston.

This is an example of a large rustic full sun hillside stone formal garden in New York for summer.

Ralph Mercer
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Boston.

This propery is situated on the south side of Centre Island at the edge of an oak and ash woodlands. orignally, it was three properties having one house and various out buildings. topographically, it more or less continually sloped to the water. Our task was to creat a series of terraces that were to house various functions such as the main house and forecourt, cottage, boat house and utility barns. The immediate landscape around the main house was largely masonry terraces and flower gardens. The outer landscape was comprised of heavily planted trails and intimate open spaces for the client to preamble through. As the site was largely an oak and ash woods infested with Norway maple and japanese honey suckle we essentially started with tall trees and open ground. Our planting intent was to introduce a variety of understory tree and a heavy shrub and herbaceous layer with an emphisis on planting native material. As a result the feel of the property is one of graciousness with a challenge to explore.

This is an example of a large coastal full sun hillside stone formal garden in New York for summer.

Our client in Emerson has a beautiful home, perched on a magnificent mountain slope with incredible views. They asked Dreamscapes to design outdoor living spaces for them in order to fully utilize the property. Their wish list included a water feature, a deck for outdoor living, a patio to take in the distant views of the mountains, a place to garden, and a natural and native planting design to fit into the existing southeastern native woodlands and mountain environment. Living on the side of a mountain means bedrock. The design incorporates the natural slope and stone and works with the terrain. A new deck was constructed to extend out from the house, floating over the bedrock where it meets the new pond. From the top of the hill, a waterfall cascades down through the native plantings into the pond below. Natural boulders were used to build seating along the pond’s edge, where you can watch the fish, tend to the aquatic plants, listen to the frogs, and even take a dip to cool off. Two natural flagstone patios were built at two different elevations to sit and enjoy the views of the landscape and the mountains. Both patios are accessible by cut stone crab orchard steps set into the slope. The space at the end of the driveway was a blank canvas and the perfect place to design and build a garden of raised beds, enclosed in a traditional picket fence. It is now filled with vegetables, herbs, and cutting flowers. The local bees and butterflies love it too. And the beautiful landscape takes on a magical look after sunset. Landscape lighting was expertly placed, using a variety of fixture types to enhance the pond, waterfalls, trees and plants, bringing the spaces to life after dark. The homeowners are both multi-talented and wanted a place to incorporate their skills. They create original art, build detailed wood work and plant edible gardens, just to name a few. This new landscape gives them and their family and friends a place to work and play and relax. It has become a haven for people and wildlife alike. Outdoor living at its finest!

Inspiration for a large coastal full sun hillside gravel formal garden in New York for summer.

Ralph Mercer
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Boston.

Ralph Mercer
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Boston.

Ralph Mercer
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in Boston.

Ryan James
Design ideas for a large full sun hillside landscaping in New York.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard formal garden in San Francisco with decking for summer.