prostrata yew
Photo of a landscaping in Charlotte.

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

Trillium Ovatum / Pacific Trillium Photo: brewbooks, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic Woodland garden in Seattle
Photo of a landscaping in Other.

This fine-textured broadleafed evergreen grows as tall as it is wide, reaching a maintainable size of 3 feet and resembling a little green muffin. It’s an exceptionally compact boxwood excellent for use in smaller gardens for borders and focal areas. Densely branched, the tiny, green foliage is abundant and adds a distinctive note to the landscape, retaining its color particularly well in winter. The moderate rate of growth makes these boxwoods ideal for carefree edging in a wide area of the US. Other splendid characteristics include deer resistance and tolerance of dry soils once established. FEATURES Bloom/Feature Plant Type Shrubs Evergreen or Deciduous Evergreen USDA Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Zone Detail Hardy to -20°F USDA zones 5–9 Key Features Deer resistant, evergreen foliage provides year-round interest. Use Hedge, border, mass planting Exposure Full sun to part shade Bloom Season Insignificant Dimension 3' H x 3' W Growth Rate Moderate CARE Water Keep soil moist Soil Type Well-drained garden soil Fertilizer Apply a balanced slow release each spring. Pruning Shape in early spring to maintain shape PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS • water before planting • plant in full sun to part shade • dig hole 2X the width of pot • backfill and plant 1”-2” above soil level • water and add more soil if needed • mulch plants

River rock slows water and prevents soil erosion. Plantings dress up the edge of a paver driveway.
This is an example of a large contemporary full sun front yard brick driveway in Austin.

Intense, powder blue foliage. Color stays bright throughout the season without browning. FEATURES Bloom/Feature Plant Type Groundcovers/Grasses Evergreen or Deciduous Evergreen USDA Zones 4 Zone Detail Hardy to USDA zones 4 Key Features Use Perfect in beds, borders, containers and rock gardens Exposure Full sun Bloom Season N/A Dimension 9-12" H x 18" W Growth Rate Slow to moderate CARE Water Water as needed Soil Type Well-drained garden soil Fertilizer Spring Pruning None needed PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS water before planting plant in full sun to part shade dig hole 2X the width of pot, backfill and plant 1”-2” above soil level water and add more soil if needed mulch plants; fertilize in early spring

Example of a transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Photo of a mid-sized traditional front yard concrete paver landscaping in Other.

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

Photos by Brian Reitz, Creative Vision Studios
Example of a small trendy gray one-story stucco house exterior design in Los Angeles with a shed roof

Brilliant spring-blooming deciduous azaleas with colorful showy blooms. Great for light shade and even sunnier locations. With the added attraction of honey-suckle fragrance, these are a perfect addition to your garden. FEATURES Bloom/Feature Glowing orange-red with yellow shades Plant Type Shrubs Evergreen or Deciduous Deciduous USDA Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Zone Detail Hardy to USDA zones 5-9 Key Features Use Exposure Full sun to part shade Bloom Season Spring Dimension 6-8' H x 4-5' W Growth Rate Slow CARE Water Water as needed Soil Type Well-drained, slightly acidic soil Fertilizer Early spring Pruning Shape after spring bloom PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS water before planting plant in high-filtered shade or sunny areas dig hole 2X the width of pot, backfill and plant 1”-2” above soil level water and add more soil if needed mulch plants; fertilize in early spring

Brilliant white blooms make the Diana Camellia fit any garden color scheme. Compact with a medium growth rate, Diana blooms in October to November. FEATURES Bloom/Feature White semi-double flowers in fall Plant Type Shrubs Evergreen or Deciduous Evergreen USDA Zones 7,8,9 Zone Detail Hardy to 0 F Key Features Ffall blooming Use Accent, hedge Exposure Full sun to part shade Bloom Season Fall Dimension 8-10'H x 6-8'W Growth Rate Slow to moderate CARE Water Keep moist, but not consistently wet Soil Type Rich, acidic, moist, well-drained soil Fertilizer Spring Pruning Shape in early spring PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS water before planting plant in full sun to part shade dig hole 3X the width of pot, backfill and plant 1”-2” above soil level water and add more soil if needed mulch plants

Garden 6 in Oxford Square
Design ideas for a landscaping in Los Angeles.

This Mid-Century home had been updated except for the kitchen and master bath. After a few years of being empty nesters, and with the neighborhood turning over drastically to infill property in the millions, this couple decided the time was right to update the last remaining rooms. Starting in the Kitchen Taking a dark, u-shaped kitchen out of the past and updating it for the future, was a dream come true for this family. They knew what they wanted in order to entertain their large extended family, which included their three kids; plus, his family, consisting of nine children, spouses, and now grandchildren. Requirements of an open space to hang out and help out, a banquet for food presentation without obstruction, bright and clean, easy storage, a place for her mother’s china decanters, and an instant hot for tea were all part of the “must haves” for this kitchen. We also needed to work around the homeowners’ existing appliances since many of them were practically new. Vaulted ceilings, lots of high windows, and large openings to other spaces in the house, were challenges that only a galley style kitchen could address. Blending and lacing the hardwood floor with new flooring required both the new and existing to be sanded down and refinished. This provided a coherent look to the entire first floor of this home. Matching casings, baseboards and base shoe helped to make the updates look fresh, but original to the house. In the kitchen, choosing the sandstone slate finish on our Wellborn Maple select series cabinets kept the space soft; but really opened it, making the space lighter and brighter. The Harmony style door choice blended with the décor in the rest of the house, while also giving straight clean lines the homeowner desired. Grounding the row of cabinets with their refrigerator and a pantry cabinet, gave symmetry to this side of the kitchen. On the opposite side, a built-in pantry cabinet mirrors the refrigerator. A row of drawer cabinets expanded the storage and banquet space, to lay out food for entertaining. Also added were some much-needed wall cabinets with glass inserts to mirror the windows and keep the space open. This also allowed the taller canister to be displayed and admired. A few smaller shelves were added above the window space, to house the smaller canisters so loved by the homeowner. An artist by trade, this homeowner added two narrow cabinets to the side of the pantry and the side of the refrigerator panel to house and create easy access to the various spices her husband loves to use while cooking. She painted them to blend with Wellborn’s Sandstone finish. The Caesarstone countertop with a 3cm eased edge in London Gray has a small pattern that is subtle and interesting. Cutting down the Caesarstone to 2 cm and carrying the same London Gray pattern up the backsplash area, lended to the clean lines and easy cleaning this homeowner requested. Choosing chrome plumbing fixtures from Moen’s Brantford line is timeless choice. Chrome is always popular and yet in today’s market, also very trendy. The Brantford faucet has a pull-down spray and one side handle, leaving space for the all-important request of a Transcape hot water dispenser, also in chrome. Scraping away the past included smoothing out the popcorn ceiling. Adding LED slope cans to the vaulted ceilings provided the necessary task lighting to elevate these homeowners’ joy of cooking. Removing the dated “popcorn look” enhanced the clean and spacious feel created by the architecture of the ceiling. Adding Top Knob chrome hardware was the final element that tied the kitchen all together. Master Bathroom The original dated Master Bathroom had dark cabinets, a huge Jacuzzi tub and a small shower stall that provided barely enough room for even a child to shower. Removing the Jacuzzi tub that was never used, opened this floor plan to a grand shower that is comfortable and spacious. For easy cleaning, these homeowners opted for a panel system in their shower. Onyx shower walls with a shower seat and recess wide shower caddy were installed in place of the old Jacuzzi style tub. The large panels were quite a challenge for our team, with an eight foot door and vaulted ceilings; but they were determined not to have a seam. These seamless panels are beautiful and very easy to clean. Keeping with the original floor plan, a double sink vanity from Wellborn’s select line with the Harmony door style in a pebble finish was installed. New Kohler Caxton under mount sinks were installed, along with the Moen Kinsley 8” wide spread faucets in chrome. Matching Kingsley 18” grab bars were added to the shower area, along with the Kohler Brantford fixed shower head and handheld slide bar. The countertop was a beautiful Caesarstone in Frosty Carrina with an eased edge and 4” back and side splash. Matching Kinsley towel hooks were added, along with mirrors the homeowner purchased and we installed for her. Top Knobs chrome cabinet hardware finished the look along with a beautiful tile floor AO Mira 1224-S Silver Maple laid in a broken joint pattern. Matching marble sills were added on top of the knee walls and threshold in the doorway. A 3/8” frameless custom shower door with fixed panels surrounded the shower creating an open airy feel to the space. Not shown: Kohler’s Wellworth highline toilet with a slow-close seat replaces the original toilet. The original shower stall became a space used to house a stackable washer and dryer, a top a safety pan and drain to slop sink in the basement. There was even enough room for small shelving to provide storage for laundry essentials. Adding a louver door keeps the laundry area behind the scene and opens the master area to multiple tasks needed. Master Bedroom Fireplace This homeowner really missed a bedroom fireplace they had in a previous home. Since we were going to be working on their master bathroom anyway; was there a way to create a fireplace without making it feel too odd in their large bedroom area? They had purchased a ventless gas fireplace and they had their original television as well. Challenged by windows, a vaulted ceiling and the natural light streaming from the back window; this divided wall was created, keeping the lighting from the other side of the room and providing a dressing area opposite the fireplace. This was a perfect idea since the closets are now in the dressing area and the creative wall houses the fireplace and TV for cold winter nights of snuggling to a movie. Better yet, the fireplace and TV are all on remote control!

Even deep in winter, the Matloff's exit the front door to a garden filled with blooms, texture, and vivacious color. The Indian Mallow to the left blooms with stunning sprays of yellow flowers most of the year.

The exciting new Southgate™ Rhododendrons are heat tolerant and thrive in the Deep South while performing equally well in traditional Rhododendron areas. FEATURES Bloom/Feature Light pink buds open to white with purple flecks Plant Type Shrubs Evergreen or Deciduous Evergreen USDA Zones 6,7,8,9 Zone Detail Hardy to -10 F Key Features Heat tolerance, attracts birds/butterflies, year-round interest, dwarf Use Accent, container, mass planting, slope, hedge Exposure Part shade to shade Bloom Season Spring Dimension 4-5' H x 4-5' W Growth Rate Slow to moderate CARE Water Regular water Soil Type Well-drained garden soil Fertilizer Early spring Pruning Shape after spring bloom PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS water before planting plant in part shade to shade dig hole 3X the width of pot, backfill and plant 1”-2” above soil level water and add more soil if needed mulch plants

Deep Purple flowers cover these tough plants from early spring to frost. Like her cousin Wendy’s Wish Salvia, this Salvia will form a ball of color in your yard, with no pruning or deadheading. A portion of plant proceeds go to Make-A-Wish® AU. FEATURES Bloom/Feature Dark purple flowers bloom year-round in frost-free climates, or until frost Plant Type Perennials Evergreen or Deciduous Herbaceous USDA Zones 9b, 10 Zone Detail Hardy to 25°F USDA zones 9b-10 Key Features Blooms won't fade in the heat; forming a ball of color with no pruning or deadheading Use Perennial, borders, garden beds, containers Exposure Full sun to part shade Bloom Season Year-round in frost-free climates, or until frost Dimension 3-4’ H x 3' W Growth Rate Fast in spring and summer CARE Water Moderate to regular water Soil Type Well-drained garden soil Fertilizer Apply a balanced slow release each spring Pruning Cut back to 3" in early spring to maintain shape PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS • water before planting • plant in full sun to part shade • dig hole 2X the width of pot, • backfill and plant 1”-2” above soil level • water and add more soil if needed • mulch around plants

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

Our client wanted a colorful garden with long blooming flowers and ornamental grasses. We used foliage/leaf color to ensure that the garden looks beautiful all year. To eliminate the flat-lawn-look, we created small hills called berms made of sandy loam soil. This allowed us to use plants that require soil that drains quickly as opposed to the slow slow draining clay soil that covers much or Orange County, CA. The irrigation, designed by H2 XERO, was based on the plants water requirements and installed after planting. H2 XERO Landscape designed and maintains this landscape. Photo by Tina Cremer, H2 XERO Landscape