Search results for "Tough outdoor" in Home Design Ideas

Sustainable landscaping featuring low maintenance plants. The orange blooming plants are Dwarf Firebush shrubs. I paired them with Dwarf Natal Plum and Paspalum Ornamental grass. Dwarf Firebush shrubs sport orange flowers tipped with gold, which set off their beauty. A great nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds adds to it's appeal.
They are really tough, so tough they are used in commercial locations and on some roadways. This delightful shrub blooms on and off all year - more during warmer weather - and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to its brightly-colored, tubular flowers.
It has a light and airy charm and looks best when it's hand-trimmed to form a natural mounded shape, rather than trying to keep it manicured with hedge trimmers.
Now this is not the native variety, for all you native plant purists out there, though many nurseries sell the dwarf as just "firebush," which can get confusing.
Here's how to tell the difference:
The native grows larger and has slightly "hairy" leaves and deep red to red-orange flowers. It's dwarf "cousin" can be kept smaller and more compact, though with a similar informal look.
The smaller variety has smoother leaves and a touch of yellow to the blossoms...and requires a bit more care.
This shrub is a fast grower that can be kept 3 feet tall and wide, though you can let it grow larger if you prefer.
Though considered evergreen, the plant can lose leaves during a cold winter, though with proper pruning in spring it should sprout new growth and flush out again. A location sheltered from winter winds will help protect it.
These plants prefer full to partial sun, though they'll grow in part shade, where they'll flower less with more open growth.
Landscape uses for dwarf fire bush:
• accent for a mixed bed
• informal hedge
• butterfly garden plant
• lining a walkway or garden path
• along a medium-height or tall fence
• around a poolcage, patio, porch or deck
• understory planting for tall palms
• backdrop planting for smaller plants

Barbara Ries
Inspiration for a traditional partial sun stone garden path in San Francisco with a pergola.
Inspiration for a traditional partial sun stone garden path in San Francisco with a pergola.

We converted an underused back yard into a modern outdoor living space. Functions include a cedar soaking tub, outdoor shower, fire pit, and dining area. The decking is ipe hardwood, the fence is stained cedar, and cast concrete with gravel adds texture at the fire pit. Photos copyright Laurie Black Photography.
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The 1,000 sf. long and low main cottage is sited to capture both mountain and sea vistas while the adjacent barn is designed to hold large family gatherings and act as a seasonal residence.

Peter Murdock
Example of a mid-sized trendy deck design in New York with no cover
Example of a mid-sized trendy deck design in New York with no cover

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Free consultation for landscape design!
Peabody Landscape Group
Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

Jerry Hayes
Pool - mid-sized farmhouse backyard rectangular infinity pool idea in Austin
Pool - mid-sized farmhouse backyard rectangular infinity pool idea in Austin

The 10x16 Sentry is extremely tough and spacious! This vinyl shed is 10 ft. wide with 6'6" ft. sidewalls and an 9'4" ft. high peak. The 16-ft. depth allows you to store off-road vehicles or mowing equipment and garden/lawn tools. Thanks to the vinyl siding, this is one low maintenance shed.
Our sheds are designed to be easily customized online by you. Our vinyl sided sheds include vinyl siding with 8 colors to choose from. In addition, you can choose from 5 different shingle colors.
The Sentry also features a flexible door location so that you can choose whether to place the door on the eave or gable side. Next, you can add a window to invite extra light inside. If you plan on storing ATV's, bicycles or lawn tractors, be sure to add a wood ramp too. Let your inspirations set sail and we can handle the rest!
We have other sizes available: 10x8, 10x12 and 10x16.

Mountain style medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Other with white walls, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace

This ocean-front shingled Gambrel style house is home to a young family with little kids who lead an active, outdoor lifestyle. My goal was to create a bespoke, colorful and eclectic interior that looked sophisticated and fresh, but that was tough enough to withstand salt, sand and wet kids galore. The palette of coral and blue is an obvious choice, but we tried to translate it into a less expected, slightly updated way, hence the front door! Liberal use of indoor-outdoor fabrics created a seamless appearance while preserving the utility needed for this full time seaside residence.
photo: Michael J Lee Photography

This outdoor living space is has motorized Phantom Screens recessed into the openings to create a bug free environment at the tough of a button.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard stone patio kitchen remodel in New York with a roof extension
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard stone patio kitchen remodel in New York with a roof extension

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

This ocean-front shingled Gambrel style house is home to a young family with little kids who lead an active, outdoor lifestyle. My goal was to create a bespoke, colorful and eclectic interior that looked sophisticated and fresh, but that was tough enough to withstand salt, sand and wet kids galore. The palette of coral and blue is an obvious choice, but we tried to translate it into a less expected, slightly updated way, hence the front door! Liberal use of indoor-outdoor fabrics created a seamless appearance while preserving the utility needed for this full time seaside residence.
photo: Michael J Lee Photography

This ocean-front shingled Gambrel style house is home to a young family with little kids who lead an active, outdoor lifestyle. My goal was to create a bespoke, colorful and eclectic interior that looked sophisticated and fresh, but that was tough enough to withstand salt, sand and wet kids galore. The palette of coral and blue is an obvious choice, but we tried to translate it into a less expected, slightly updated way, hence the front door! Liberal use of indoor-outdoor fabrics created a seamless appearance while preserving the utility needed for this full time seaside residence.
photo: Michael J Lee Photography

Joe Fletcher Photography
Example of a transitional formal and open concept living room design in San Francisco
Example of a transitional formal and open concept living room design in San Francisco

Example of a classic backyard deck design in New Orleans with a roof extension and a fireplace

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Free consultation for landscape design!
Peabody Landscape Group
Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

This outdoor living space is has motorized Phantom Screens recessed into the openings to create a bug free environment at the tough of a button.
Example of a mid-sized classic backyard stone patio kitchen design in New York with a roof extension
Example of a mid-sized classic backyard stone patio kitchen design in New York with a roof extension

This ocean-front shingled Gambrel style house is home to a young family with little kids who lead an active, outdoor lifestyle. My goal was to create a bespoke, colorful and eclectic interior that looked sophisticated and fresh, but that was tough enough to withstand salt, sand and wet kids galore. The palette of coral and blue is an obvious choice, but we tried to translate it into a less expected, slightly updated way, hence the front door! Liberal use of indoor-outdoor fabrics created a seamless appearance while preserving the utility needed for this full time seaside residence.
photo: Michael J Lee Photography

Irregular bluestone stepper path and woodland shade garden.
Inspiration for a traditional shade stone landscaping in Boston.
Inspiration for a traditional shade stone landscaping in Boston.
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