Examples

Humming Garden

Before

After

All drought tolerant, deer resistant, long blooming perennials were added - such as Coreopsis, Anigozanthos (Kangaroo Paws), Marguerite Daisies, Lantana, Tapien Blue Verbena, Bidens, Dahlias, Black and Blue Salvia, Gazanias, as well as White Oleander Bushes between vines along fence).

Before

Gold Coreopsis, Lantanas, Dahlias, Lavender Perovskia (Russian Sage), Daisies, Verbena were added into these retaining wall gardens. Wild flowers are in the background top level.

All deer resistant and drought tolerant.

After

Front Yard Lawn Replacement Project

AFTER

The front yard lawn was removed, and a curved decomposed granite pathway was added through the middle for convenient access to the front door. (I had proposed slate flagstone, however, the client decided to limit their costs with the walkway material. However, it could be changed to stone at a later date.) A red bubbling pot fountain is placed along the pathway as well. Two crepe myrtle trees are planted at the end of the pathway which will bloom brightly in summer, provide fall color

BEFORE

and afternoon shade on the driveway for parked cars. They will also visually soften the roofline and front door entrance. The garden has changing seasonal interest, and the Star Magnolia (Magnolia Stellata) tall shrub (back left) will bloom profuse white flowers in spring. A deep burgundy red smoke bush (Cotinus coggryria) is at the beginning of the sidewalk path (in front of the car), and the deep wine color is repeated with fountain grasses (pennisetum seataceum rubrum) on either side in the foreground. This front yard is more vibrant and interesting while using less water than the lawn they had before.

Detailed Design Plans

Bright yellow/chartreuse variegated leaves of Cornus 'Hedgerow Gold ' grows well in part shade or bright light behind the fountain. Roses in the background with large lilac bushes behind them bloomed in Spring.

The pathway was originally a single wide step stone path, which was actually very awkward! Later, I increased the width of the path to a more comfortable two stepping stones wide, and also added the three foot deep perennial border between the pathway and the lawn, which was not originally there. White Iceberg roses and other perennials line the path now to the right side of the pathway. Bright pink and light pink flower carpet roses to the left are easy care and have grown over time to 3 feet tall at least! Minty green 'Beacon siver' Lamium (dead nettle) groundcover in front of the left rocks spreads and grows easily. Lamium is also excellent to use in deer resistant landscapes (althought this particular one is not.) Yellow- green 'citonelle' heucheras brighten below the plum tree year round.

Above and below: A mostly shady border. Bright chartreuse feverfew (tanacetum parthenium) blooms little white daisy flowers. Wide leafed hostas reappear in summer, paired with annnual pink impatiens. Pictured below- Three shades of purple in Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Brunfelsia pauciflora'floribunda') shrub in part sun as well.

Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant Public Median Space

The above is a public median space I volunteered to do. These all summer and fall blooming perennials are drought tolerant, deer and pest resistant and low maintenence. From front to back: 'Tropical Punch' Salvia Gregii (Autumn Sage), Salvia Leucantha (Mexican Sage) and 'Anthony Parker ' blue salvia, also attract hummingbirds! Red Fountain Grass(pennisetum setaceum) is also pictured behind that with soft plumes in fall.

All Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant Front Yard

Unfinished Project

This project is not yet finished. A very narrow strip at the end of a pool was bare fence . My suggestion was to place a wall fountain at the end of the pool as a focal point, (as seating is at the opposite end of the pool.) Additionally there was no arbor previously, and I proposed to have the narrow arbor built , which will have summer flowering red trumpet vines growing up each post and across and hanging down a bit across the top of the arbor. Additionally, hanging pots of annual summer flowers will be hung inside either end of the arbor, framing the fountain. The minty white and light green variegated, 'Marjorie Channing' pittosporum on either side of the fountain (just planted and low now) , will grow to six feet , and will add evergreen brightness and cover of the fence. It will surround and draw attention the fountain, and can also be neatly sheared in the future, so that the very narrow walkway will not be obstructed.