The existing excavated limestone boulders were strategically repositioned to not only serve as functional components but also as visually striking features to the modified design of the dry creek pathways and planted areas. The trees are viewed as an opportunity to utilize dark Whittlesey mulch to provide contrast, water retention, and tie in to other defined beds and oak clusters on the property. The front walk is comprised of sawn limestone pavers surrounded by crushed limestone rock mulch and accented by river rock dry creek bed that follows through to the backyard. The pavers lead down to a poured-in-place concrete path that grants access to outdoor utilities and matches the driveway seamlessly.

The trellised terrace opens up to a quieter view of a magnificent existing redwood grove. A bluestone footbridge crosses a bioswale filled with clusters of ornamental grasses and perennials. In the distance, an existing below-grade greenhouse, renovated as part of the project program. Photography by Marion Brenner

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard stamped concrete and custom-shaped hot tub remodel in Dallas

The “handrill” of Corten steel follows the peastone and steel steps down a steep slope to pour into a round basin, emptying into a channel that meanders through the narrow back garden at ground level, ending finally in a boulder fountain. Devised to minimize root disturbance for the tall existing pines on the property, the continuous Corten steel structure is supported by concrete tubes rather than a foundation that would have required extensive excavation. Architect: Wolf Architects, Inc. General Contractor: GF Rhode Construction, Inc. Landscape Contractor: Robert Hanss, Inc. Steel Fabrication: Wovensteel and Richard Duca Water Systems: Pond Creations by Sean Photo by Susan Teare.

The upper level of this gorgeous Trex deck is the central entertaining and dining space and includes a beautiful concrete fire table and a custom cedar bench that floats over the deck. The dining space is defined by the stunning, cantilevered, aluminum pergola above and cable railing along the edge of the deck. Adjacent to the pergola is a covered grill and prep space. Light brown custom cedar screen walls provide privacy along the landscaped terrace and compliment the warm hues of the decking. Clean, modern light fixtures are also present in the deck steps, along the deck perimeter, and throughout the landscape making the space well-defined in the evening as well as the daytime.

A rain garden dry stream bed.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary full sun backyard river rock landscaping in Houston.

Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard gravel garden path in San Luis Obispo for spring.

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.

Over a span of two years we completed several projects at this Tokoma Park, Maryland property. We cleaned up the backyard, renovated an existing swale, and installed water loving plants. The following year, we replaced the old pea gravel driveway with a permeable paver driveway. While doing the driveway we encountered spongey clay that was saturated from a leaking water line. We had to install concrete piers down to virgin soil to bear the weight of the walkway. The driveway excavation had to take into account the root zones of large trees. To avoid the surface roots we used a minimal excavation design. Our ultimate goal with this project was to ensure that the new walkways provided a safe and comfortable path for the homeowners and guest to get from their cars to porch whether parked along the street or in the driveway. To provide an extra layer of security, we added low-voltage lighting to accent trees and light the walkway, which were programmed to come on at dusk and turn off automatically at dawn. The new plantings are native species including River Birch, Swamp Hibiscus, Blue Flag Iris, and Common Rush, that are adapted to growing in wet soils. The permeable paver driveway will reduce runoff by storing rain in gravel base while allowing it to be absorbed into the soil below. The paver surface eliminates the tracking of pea gravel into the house while allowing heels to walk on it without sinking in. The swale handles runoff from all the uphill properties and the gravel keeps it from becoming a soggy mess. 
 During seasonal months, snow and leaf removal are greatly eased by having a hard surface to shovel or rake. The permeable pavers used are Techo-Bloc Villagio in Shale Grey and we installed a granite Belgian block border. We replaced existing broken concrete walkway with new curving flagstone walkway and connected the front steps to the driveway and side steps. All projects were consulted with the City of Takoma Park’s Urban Forest Manager, and the Montgomery County Historical Preservation Commission.

The swale creates an interesting and beautiful focal point for the shaded front yard
Photo of a traditional front yard river rock landscaping in Philadelphia.

Dry creek bed with ledger stone, pebbles, trailing sedums and ornamental grasses.
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard gravel garden path in San Luis Obispo for spring.

Design ideas for a mid-sized mediterranean drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard gravel garden path in San Luis Obispo for spring.

Photo by Falon Mihalic A dry riverbed/ rock swale carries water from the home's downspout around a shade garden to infiltrate in the lawn. Plants include Ostrich Fern, Sensitive Fern, Carex 'evergold', Native Bottlebrush Buckeye, Astilbe, Anemone, Virginia Bluebells, Japanese Painted Fern, Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea', Woodland Phlox, and Jack Frost Brunnera. Several types of stone were used to create the rock swale: Smooth Blue Mexican Pebble Beach Stone, Granite and Quartz Boulders.

We built a 6 foot bridge over the swale so that our client could get their mower from one side of the yard to the other
Photo of a traditional front yard river rock landscaping in Philadelphia.

Rainwater ran off the front yard, which is a septic field, toward the house. In addition, downspouts and non guttered roof lines compounded the problem. A dry creek bed was a great solution, both aesthetically and functionally. Aesthetically, it provides a focal point for the front garden.

We created a 1 foot deep, 2 foot wide swale that was lined with large river jack rock to gutter the water
Inspiration for a traditional front yard river rock landscaping in Philadelphia.

Photo by Falon Mihalic A dry riverbed/ rock swale carries water from the home's downspout around a shade garden to infiltrate in the lawn. Plants include Ostrich Fern, Sensitive Fern, Carex 'evergold', Native Bottlebrush Buckeye, Astilbe, Anemone, Virginia Bluebells, Japanese Painted Fern, Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea', Woodland Phlox, and Jack Frost Brunnera. Several types of stone were used to create the rock swale: Smooth Blue Mexican Pebble Beach Stone, Granite and Quartz Boulders.

verdancedesign
Design ideas for a large craftsman full sun front yard landscaping in San Francisco.

Ornamental grasses such as Karley Rose pennisetum, blue dune lyme grass and Karl Foerster feather reed grass soften the banks of the dry creek bed. Photo by Jay Sifford.