A closer view of this summer planting scene. Rudbeckia, Allium and Butterfly Weed are catching the last rays of sun in this August garden scene. During the day, bumbles and butterflies are frequent visitors. Photograph by Katherine Palmer

Photo Credit: Ryan Corrigan
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional shade backyard brick landscaping in Omaha.

Photo of a mid-sized partial sun hillside stone retaining wall landscape in DC Metro.

A very steep side yard has been made easily accessible with this gorgeous stone staircase. Many tons of stone were carefully positioned to create this walkway. Much of the stonework was man handled into place as the grade was too steep for machinery to be used. The existing plantings perform a vital function of holding the soil on this steep terrain and were minimally disturbed in the process of construction. The woodland setting seemed to ask for a few more plants of interest though. So, Witchhazel, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Blue sedges, white perennial geraniums and dwarf mound boxwoods were tucked in where there were voids in the existing ground cover swaths. Photography by Katherine Palmer

An early summer rain storm turns the drystream bed into a gurgling stream. Photograph by Katherine Palmer
Photo of a large modern full sun backyard mulch pond in DC Metro for summer.

Rudbeckia, Allium and Butterfly Weed are catching the last rays of sun in this August garden scene. During the day, bumbles and butterflies are frequent visitors. Photograph by Katherine Palmer

Photo of a huge mediterranean full sun hillside gravel garden path in Los Angeles for summer.

Photo of a huge mediterranean full sun hillside stone garden path in Los Angeles for summer.

This is an example of a huge mediterranean full sun backyard gravel garden path in Los Angeles for summer.

Paver patio with drought tolerant plant material.
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone garden path in San Diego for spring.

Inspiration for a mid-sized partial sun hillside stone landscaping in DC Metro.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard landscaping in Chicago for summer.

Inspiration for a huge mediterranean full sun hillside gravel garden path in Los Angeles for summer.

A closer shot of a few hidden surprises. Allium Millenium peeking through the Willowleaf Amsonia Photograph by Katherine Palmer
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary full sun and drought-tolerant side yard landscaping in DC Metro for summer.

The garden terraces as viewed from the home. The plant selections are chosen primarily for their foliage contrast and interest. A few flowering plants add to the interest at different times of the year. Here the Hot Lips Chelone is flowering along with the White wood aster. Phtography by Katherine Palmer

The customer called us wanting a better fire pit area, a water feature, and a “tropical vacation” feel to the space. After looking at many different inspiration pictures I found that they reacted most to old-school water features – ponds and streams of rock with sheer falls – instead of more modern designs so that added to the design challenge. In the back yard there is no place to “hide” the birth of a water feature or even make it feel like a natural part of the landscape so the goal became to design a non-contrived but non-modern water feature with a resort, tropical feel. What says tropical resort more than a lazy river and tiki torches?

Timothy Reed
Photo of a large tropical full sun side yard gravel landscaping in Tampa.

Drystack stone and small boulders were used to line the sides of this fire pit tucked into one side of this patio.
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional shade hillside stone landscaping in DC Metro with a fire pit for summer.

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, reclaimed and ipe wood, and concrete mixed with a lush drought resistant planting palette offer a homeowners and visitors a multi sensory environment. Photos by Art Gray