Rock garden backyard ideas
22 Rock Garden Ideas & How to Tips
Enhance your landscape with this low-maintenance solution. By Janet Loughrey, Garden Writer & Photographer
A rock garden can add height and depth to a flat area. Add a waterfall or other water feature to enhance the natural appearance. Designer: Philip Thornburg, Winterbloom Landscaping. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
Adding a rock garden to your yard is a creative way to add depth and dimension to a flat or mundane space, or to introduce an element of surprise. The rugged appearance of rock adds earthy appeal, connecting a manmade landscape to the natural world.
Rocks can be used to define a slope, act as a substitute for a lawn, or become a solution to an area where little will grow. Different areas of the yard such as walkways and beds can be outlined or separated with an attractive arrangement of rocks, pebbles or gravel. A rock garden can range from a complex large-scale project with many aspects and layers, to something as simple as a small corner adorned with gravel and river stones. Even a container can become a miniature rock landscape.
Rock gardens are low-maintenance and lend year-round structure to the landscape. In order for your finished project to have cohesion, it should be well thought out and designed. Here are some basic principles to get you started, along with a list of recommended plants.
PLANNING A ROCK GARDEN
Think outside the box. Even a front yard can be the site of a rock garden, such as this entryway shown here. Designer: Philip Thornburg, Winterbloom Landscaping. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
Choose and evaluate your site.
Where would a rock garden look best in your yard? Is the site in sun or shade? Will plants need regular water, or will it be a drought-tolerant landscape? Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Even a front yard can have a rock garden.
Research.
Gather ideas by looking at photos of rock gardens on the internet and by visiting local gardens. Make an idea board or list with attributes you want to include.
Draw up a design.
Once you have some basic ideas, make a plan and draw a rough sketch. For a bigger project, you may want to consult with a landscape designer. Larger rocks are a challenge to lift and set in place, so it’s crucial to know ahead of time where you want them.
Consider scale.
Use materials that are in scale with your home and yard. Big boulders can overwhelm a small space, while small stones will get lost in a sweeping landscape.
Choose a style.
Rough irregular rocks add rugged natural appeal, while smooth pebbles or clean white gravel lend a more formal appearance, such as with Japanese rock gardens and Zen rock gardens. Create a look that complements your home’s style as well as the rest of the yard.
Keep it natural.
Take a cue from Mother Nature by making the rock garden look like it belongs. This will make the design more visually pleasing and cohesive with the rest of the yard. Random groupings of stones will look more natural than placing them in neat rows or organized patterns.
Incorporate a water feature or stepping stones to enhance the natural appeal.
HOW TO BUILD A ROCK GARDEN
Vary materials such as pebbles, gravel and stepping stones to make a more visually interesting landscape. Designers: Adriana Berry, Plant Passion Design. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
Make a list.
In order to have the right materials on hand, make a list of what you need.
Source materials.
Peruse local garden centers, home improvement stores and specialty rock suppliers to see and compare materials before buying. For the budget-minded, Craigslist and Freecycle often have listings from people looking to get rid of rock materials. Consider rock quarries or natural areas that allow rockhounding.
Vary the rocks.
To create contrast and visual interest, vary the size and shape of the rocks. Use a mix of materials such as stones, pebbles and gravel.
Placement.
Use a few well-placed larger rocks as primary focal points to anchor the space and install those first.
Allow space between the rocks for plants to grow. Smaller complementary stones or gravel placed around the larger rocks will unify the design.
Keep color in mind.
Select larger rocks in lighter hues so the landscape doesn’t feel dark and heavy. Vary the color and tone of other materials to lend contrast and visual interest.
Instill order.
To keep the design from looking too busy, choose rocks with complementary colors and shapes. Lay out swaths of the same pebbles or gravel rather than mixing too many materials together.
HOW TO PLANT A ROCK GARDEN
This rock garden features plants that thrive in partial shade, including ferns, bleeding heart, hellebores and ‘Bowles Golden’ sedge (Carex). Designer: Philip Thornburg, Winterbloom Landscaping. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
Soil matters.
Create an environment that is hospitable to your chosen plants. Alpine plants and other drought-tolerant plants will need sandy soil with sharp drainage. Others, such as ferns and hostas, will need richer soil and more moisture.
Pick the right plants.
Choose plants that will thrive in your climate. Traditional rock gardens include varieties that are alpine in origin, as the conditions simulate their native habitat. Rock garden plants tend to be smaller to complement the scale of the rocks. Use perennials, ornamental grasses and small shrubs to add vertical height. Creeping groundcovers will soften the appearance of the hard rocks. Add sturdy bulbs such as narcissus, wild tulips and alliums for contrast. Incorporate evergreen dwarf and creeping conifers for year-round interest. For a shade garden, choose mosses, ferns and hostas.
Complement and contrast.
To lend cohesion, choose plants with harmonious or complementary colors to the rocks. Use a mix of plants with flowers and foliage interest and combine upright and creeping forms.
ROCK GARDEN PLANTS
| Sun | Shade | |
|---|---|---|
| GROUND COVERS | Sedums, succulents, creeping thyme, snow-in-summer (Cerastium), creeping phlox, gold alyssum (Aurinia), ice plant (Delosperma). | Mosses, creeping Jenny, ajuga, deadnettle (Lamium), vinca, sweet woodruff. |
| PERENNIALS | Sedges and other small ornamental grasses, dwarf conifers, dianthus, rockcress (Aubrieta), columbine, speedwell, lamb’s ear, bellflower (Campanula). | Ferns, coral bells, hostas, hellebores, astilbe, lungwort, columbine, barrenroot (Epimedium). |
| BULBS | Species tulips, narcissus, crocus, squill, reticulated iris, alliums. | Snowdrops, narcissus, muscari, squill, crocus, anemone, tuberous begonias, caladium. |
MAINTAINING A ROCK GARDEN
Designer Burl Mostul, Villa Catalana. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
Water.
Rocks absorb heat, especially in a sunny site, so plants can dry out quickly. Make sure plants receive adequate water, especially during hot spells.
Fertilize.
Some plants such as alpines and succulents need little or no supplemental fertilizer, while others such as coral bells and hostas will benefit from a boost of nutrients. Research your plants needs and fertilize accordingly.
Weed.
A layer of smaller rocks or gravel acts as a natural weed suppressant, helping to keep the landscape low-maintenance. Keep areas free from weeds so plants don’t get overwhelmed or deprived of water and nutrients. Eventually, plants should fill in enough to suppress most weeds.
Prune.
Cut out dead growth and remove spent flowers to encourage new growth and keep a neat appearance.
ROCK GARDEN IDEAS
Keep rocks in scale with the yard. In this small space, rocks are stacked to create a sculptural water feature, while a single boulder placed strategically on the other side of the path helps balance the composition. Designers: Barbara Hilty and Adriana Berry. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
See more of this garden, including before/after photos and plants used.
Photo by: Proven Winners.
Designer Burl Mostul, Villa Catalana. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
Pick a style that matches your home and landscape. This Asian-style rock garden evokes a sense of calm and order. Designer: Helena Wagner, 4 Seasons Gardens. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
Creeping groundcovers such as woolly thyme can be used to soften hard rock surfaces. Gardener: Karen Olberding. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
Large scale rock garden or hillside terrace. Designer: Burl Mostul, Villa Catalana. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
Leave spaces between rocks for plants to grow. Gardener:: Karen Olberding. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
RELATED:
Zen Garden Design
Garden Room Ideas
How to Landscape a Sloped Yard
Moon Garden Design
15 Gorgeous Rock Garden Ideas for Your Landscape
Why Rock Gardens?
1/16
Drought is an ongoing and critical issue in the U.S. According to NASA, fully one-third of the nation’s acreage is experiencing at least moderate drought and some 53 million people live in drought-affected areas.
Homeowners can help combat drought by xeriscaping. Xeriscapes are landscapes that require little water besides what the sky provides, often incorporating native plants. Reducing the land’s reliance on rain is a smart move for anyone who cares about the Earth. Rock gardens are an easy, sometimes plant-free way to give any property a little extra personality, while also being environmentally friendly. Read on for rock garden ideas that are as effective in arid areas as they are attractive.
istockphoto.com
Bright Hues and Rough-Hewn Rocks
2/16
Let’s say there’s lots of space elsewhere for patios, pergolas, and gazebos, with plenty of sloping lawn left over. Why not turn the area into a cheerful, colorful landscape? This rock garden idea pairs broad splashes of brightly hued flowers with the bold use of craggy, rugged rock. To achieve the effect, style this space like a sprawling terrace garden, with alternating sections of ground-cover plants—flowering thyme, phlox, and sedums—and wide, relatively flat rocks that can stand in as stepping stones when it’s weeding time.
istockphoto.com
A Petite Little Pond
3/16
Nothing adds pizzazz to a backyard quite like a pint-sized pond full of fish and floating lily pads. Whether you stock koi for neo-Asian appeal or raise tilapia for Taco Tuesday, surround the pond with stones in a wide variety of sizes. Large, chunky rocks interspersed with smaller pebbles will delineate its perimeter—and discourage young visitors from wading. For a more dramatic effect, seek out Mexican or Caribbean beach pebbles.
Related: Make a Splash! 10 Stunning Backyard Ponds to Enhance Any Landscape
istockphoto.com
Gravel in the Garden
4/16
You’ve heard of stopping to smell the roses; now get ready for sitting to sniff the snapdragons. A diminutive, decorative bench tucked among flat rocks that are flush with the ground gives visual appeal to an otherwise ho-hum flower bed. Here, the plants take a supporting role, yielding to the contrast between rich, dark mulch and small multi-colored stones.
A few flowering bushes in a variety of heights and shades of green are the only flora that’s needed.
Related: Pass on Grass: 7 Reasons to Landscape with Gravel
istockphoto.com
Divide and Conquer a Large Lawn
5/16
Homebuyers love the idea of a large yard, but once they’ve signed on the dotted line, that lawn can be daunting. They might wonder what to do with such a great expanse of green (besides cursing how quickly the grass grows, that is.) If it isn’t level enough to play croquet, consider dividing the lawn into discrete areas that will serve different purposes. Think herb garden, butterfly or bee garden, even beehives or a chicken coop. Use large, boulder-like rocks to set these spaces apart and save you money on pavers.
istockphoto.com
Rock That Walk
6/16
Rock garden ideas often exemplify the “more is more” philosophy, cramming in as many attention-getting elements as possible.
Not so with this minimalist row of stones edging a sidewalk. Just as a ribbon embellishes a dress hem, this narrow border of smooth pebbles running parallel to the walkway is sure to draw the eye. Any deep-green, leafy plant works well to complete this clean, asymmetrical style. (A row of low-water ornamental grasses, vibrant tiger lilies, or gladioli would be a stunning choice, too.)
istockphoto.com
An Otherworldly Atmosphere
7/16
As night falls, it gradually alters the entire vibe of an outdoor living area. Anyone who entertains after the sun has set, or who simply loves to sit in the waning light and unwind, will get double the pleasure from their property. Look into illuminated rock garden ideas to create an enchanting evening-scape. Here, hefty rocks blend into the background during the day and then transform into an eerily beautiful moonscape in the light of these softly glowing outdoor orb lights (available at The Home Depot).
istockphoto.
com
Stone Pairs Perfectly with Succulents
8/16
Residents of drought-affected areas use inorganic materials in much greater quantities than their eastern-U.S. counterparts, of course. Here, the many multicolored pebbles function like Lebowski’s rug, really tying together the natural and manmade elements of this xeriscape. A solitary palm tree, a few widely spaced succulents, and a low stone wall come together in a balanced, aesthetically appealing tableau that’s no less lovely than a grassy lawn or a garden in bloom.
Related: 14 of the Best Plants for Your Drought-Tolerant Garden
istockphoto.com
Stone Steps Elevate an Outdoor Space
9/16
A sloping yard can be a nuisance. It’s tricky to mow and challenging to garden—and all the soccer balls end up in the same downhill spot. Bi-level backyards, however, are super for entertaining, playing games, or grilling up a feast on a sun-drenched Sunday afternoon.
Define the split-level look with an elevated design (literally!). Wide, irregular stone steps both separate and connect the two distinct spaces.
istockphoto.com
A Thoroughly Modern Rock Garden
10/16
Here’s a rock garden idea for folks who never, ever colored outside the lines as a kid or who consider Marie Kondo their role model. With only three main elements—precisely pruned shrubs that look like giant green Rubik’s cubes; oversized square pavers, and a tidy rectangle of monochromatic stones—the design is simple, but its overall effect is stunning. Choosing marble chips instead of stones makes this minimalist composition next-level.
istockphoto.com
Country-Garden Charm
11/16
Although it winds its meandering way through an assortment of cheerful blossoms and stately boulders, this garden path is also straightforward. That’s due to the midsized slate chips strewn across its surface. Horizontally-oriented rock is just what’s wanted for a charming footpath, one that might lead to a wishing well or a couple of wrought-iron cafe chairs.
istockphoto.com
A River Rocks Through It
12/16
Thanks to its gently curving lines and seaweed-like tufts of foliage, this broad border brings to mind a meandering river or a rocky point at the ocean’s edge. Either way, it’s wonderfully evocative, and its resemblance to a body of water makes it a remarkable example of xeriscaping. Moreover, it helps cut back on lawn maintenance and is sure to catch the eye of visitors, pizza delivery people, or anyone who pulls their vehicle into the driveway.
istockphoto.com
Keep It Simple (with) Stones
13/16
This rather expansive rock bed serves the same purpose as the velvet background in a jewelry case: reflecting attention right back to the exquisite objects on display. Gardeners who specialize in growing rare plants could use this technique to make certain their prize specimens are appropriately appreciated. Whether the exhibited items are unusual plants, notable rocks, or even manmade treasures like sculptures, a simple surface of stones—smooth pebbles, snowy-white pea gravel, or chunky creek rocks—will set them off to their best advantage.
Related: Entertain the Whole Family at Home with 10 DIY Lawn Games
istockphoto.com
Small Format Flair
14/16
Choosing the right rock accent might require some comparison shopping. If carpeting a large section, go with less-expensive gravel and buy in bulk. For a smaller space abutting the front steps or surrounding the mailbox, check out decorative landscaping material. The parti-colored stones shown here are pretty, albeit fairly tame. Artists and dreamers who want dramatic rock garden ideas might try polished black pebbles or moonlike lava stones to add interest to an otherwise ordinary area.
istockphoto.com
Think Inside the Box
15/16
Art buffs who admire the abstract, geometric paintings of
Piet Mondrian
might be drawn to a stylized lawn. Unlike landscapes that incorporate—and emulate—the surrounding terrain’s natural contours, this design offers a deliberately boxy composition.
Yet even the strictest layout still allows for creativity. Choose either contrasting or complementary materials to fill each section for divergent (but equally striking) effects. Select stones in a variety of sizes and foliage with a mix of heights to create your “lawn-drian” masterpiece.
istockphoto.com
Channel Southwestern Culture
16/16
Evoking the spirit of the sunny southwest is easy. Step 1: Purchase an adobe-style home. Step 2: In the forecourt, arrange a selection of succulents, a few hot-pepper plants, and some hardy grasses. Step 3: Finish the Southwestern look with plenty of small stones; warm earth tones ranging from buff to burnt sienna will look the best. Step 4: Cook up a big batch of frijoles charros, crack open some cold ones, and throw open your door to the company of your closest friends.
istockphoto.com
Don't Miss!
If you have the money to hire a handyman for every household woe, go ahead.
But if you want to hang on to your cash and exercise some self-sufficiency, check out these clever products that solve a million and one little problems around the house. Go now!
12 ideas for a Zen backyard garden • inTrends
No deep understanding of Zen is needed
Shunryu Suzuki
Zen originates from Japanese Buddhism and Taoism, its mission can be briefly described as understanding the meaning of life through experience. This is not about studying the world around us, but rather about simple existence.
Regardless of religiousness, we associate the concept of "Zen" with the aesthetics of home decor. The most famous example is Zen gardens, their origins are meditative gardens, which were laid in the past at the walls of the temples of Zen monks.
It takes a lifetime to understand the spiritual essence of Zen Buddhism. But if you just want to enjoy the tranquility of nature in your own backyard, here are some ideas for setting up a zen garden.
Decor and Sculpture Ideas for Zen Gardens
Nowadays, there is a tendency to associate the Zen garden with sculpture, although known examples of Japanese gardens from the 16th century show no signs of sculpture at all, and they were often located near Zen Buddhist temples.
The zen garden aesthetic as we know it today goes well with rock garden decor. It is better to use a lantern made of stone, rather than metal or plastic, to illuminate the garden path. Fountains, birdbaths, decorative sculptures are also great options.
If your garden includes water features, consider adding a small bridge. You can choose to build on traditional Japanese bridges or opt for a more modern style. In any case, you will form a closer connection of the entire space.
Zen Garden Koi Pond Ideas
If there's one thing you hope to see in every Zen ornamental garden, it's a koi pond. It can be completely autonomous. But you can add zest to the landscape (and the quiet murmur of water) by building a small stream that flows into and out of the pond.
Ponds that look natural seem to be the most common. This visibility can be achieved by lining the reservoir with stones, adding a lot of algae to the structure. If you prefer an orderly style, opt for an even, geometric pond.
Of course, not every homeowner will be able or willing to care for live fish. You can populate the pond with vegetation and stop there. You can also use it as a natural reservoir for local wildlife, if the pond will be visited by birds, insects and other creatures, carp will not be needed.
Mini Zen Garden Ideas
If you are familiar with the art of bonsai, you already have an idea of miniature zen gardening. Many practice elaborate decoration with succulents and moss.
Designing a tabletop zen garden for relaxing in the middle of a busy day is easy. Slow growing plants are best suited. You will have the opportunity to nurture and prune small evergreen trees as needed.
For a miniature zen garden, as well as for outdoors, plants are not required.
Decorating with sand, gravel, stones may be enough. Use figurines or epiphytic plants in your homemade garden to provide yourself with the perfect retreat.
Modern Zen Garden Ideas
You may not realize it, but you don't have to look far to find a direct influence of Asian architecture in your home design. It is clear, therefore, that in the Zen garden, inspired by modernity, two worlds closely interact.
Since both aesthetics emphasize clean lines, start by dividing the space into specific sections. To do this, you can select areas of grass, create a patio or a path that goes from a hinged garden. You can use multi-colored gravel to lay out geometric patterns.
Your landscape may be composed almost entirely of squares, triangles, and circles. To break the symmetry and add interesting contrast, use vegetation. Natural stone slabs, whether functional or decorative, will also contrast effectively with crisp, modern elements.
Rock garden ideas
One of the most important trademarks of Japanese garden design is the use of stones for aesthetic purposes.
Large stones can take the place of ornamental plants, in a sense, "revitalizing" the garden. We can use them in such a way as to bring out the natural, unchanging beauty that exists regardless of our intervention.
They will help to improve the area covered with sand or gravel. If you want more greenery in the landscape, place stones at the edge of the garden surrounded by shrubs. Moss can be grown on their surface if the climate permits.
Stones can play a functional role in the landscape. Use them to create a garden path or build natural looking steps leading up to a terrace or hillock. Boulders can be installed in place of a regular fence or hedge.
Ideas for water features in the Zen garden
Although a koi pond is a classic sign of a Zen garden, this design is not available to all owners. And yet you should, if possible, introduce a water element into your garden.
Reservoirs range from ornamental ponds to exquisite fountains. Objects with flowing water are beautiful both visually and aurally.
The best choice, both in terms of tradition and modernity, is a small pond replenished from a waterfall.
The main limiting factor will be space, but if you are planning a large project, be aware that the future pond will require maintenance. Even if there are no live fish in the pond, in order for it to look its best, it will need to be maintained.
Ideas for a Zen Landscape Garden
It is now known that historically a Zen garden consisted of sand, gravel, stone and a few additions. However, Zen garden design elements are common in many landscaped gardens.
A few small changes will make your landscaping look more like a traditional Japanese garden. Replace regular soil with well-draining white gravel. Use large, rough-hewn stones to create paving stones, steps, benches, or landscape borders.
In terms of trees, evergreens and Japanese maple represent the perfect blend of zen and modernity. Instead of flowers, choose shrubs and ornamental grasses with unique leaf colors.
Carefully prune hedges and perennials to achieve the neat look associated with zen gardening.
Zen garden backyard ideas
Zen gardening is meant to bring peace and tranquility to those who visit and care for it. You can apply this principle to your garden by either completely turning the backyard into a withered landscape, or simply adding a few Japanese design elements to it.
Lay a stepped path across the yard. You can turn it around so that it returns to its beginning, you can lead it to a private hiding place, ideal for meditation. Or lay a stone path on the usual path to the terrace or pond.
If giving up the lawn isn't an option, set aside some of your backyards for sand and gravel. Place ornamental plants, larger stones, and other decor on this site to diversify the design.
Easy Homemade Zen Garden Ideas
Without an elaborate pond or house-sized boulders, creating a zen garden is one of the easiest landscaping projects. Basically, all you need is some sand, rocks, and the intention to start.
The Japanese rock garden does not require anything rare or expensive. Use stones from a previous landscaping project in your garden zen design. Old stones from construction projects are excellent for this purpose, often left in recycling and construction centers.
Plant containers are a great alternative to planting in the ground. The flower pot can be placed directly on sand or gravel without any problems. If you are investing in trees or shrubs, choose young plants that will mature in a couple of years.
Ideas for a small zen garden
A classic zen garden can be any size. But if space is limited, a more compact design may need to be strategically considered.
A small Zen garden can fit into the most unexpected place. For example, you may have an awkward area near the garage or an area under a shed that is not being used. You can cut off a portion of the lawn, or let the landscaping naturally flow into your Japanese garden.
There is something poetic about creating a hidden meditation alcove where no one would ever think to look.
And because Zen gardening places more emphasis on dry terrain rather than lush vegetation, you won't have to worry about lack of lighting or watering.
Indoor Zen Garden Ideas
For those looking for more relaxation or meditation, an outdoor garden is not the only option. Indoor rock gardens have long been popular, especially when combined with contemporary architecture.
You can create your own miniature zen garden anywhere you want to enjoy indoor plants. Japanese garden design can even be applied on the patio or in a flower pot on the veranda.
Since the classic zen garden is completely dry, its full-scale version can be seen installed even indoors. Such gardens may consist only of sand and stone, or contain living evergreens, moss and epiphytes.
Traditional Zen garden ideas
Zen gardening has become such a popular destination that seeing it in the midst of predominantly Western architecture is quite common. But only the traditional design of a Japanese home enhances the beauty and meditative properties of such gardens.
Whether or not your home is inspired by the Japanese home tradition, the next logical step is to add a zen garden. Allocate enough space for the sanded area, arranging this section will really help emphasize traditional design elements.
When planning your garden, try to emphasize its basic structure. Place the rock garden so that it can be seen from the terrace of your house. Use neatly trimmed trees to perfectly frame doorways, windows, and pond views.
Lots and gardens with stone in landscape design - 135 best photos, landscaping of the site, garden and garden
lake house
Princeton Scapes Inc
Lakeside outdoor living at its finest yard in a maritime style with good lighting, stone paving and stone in landscaping
Western Exposure
TLC Gardens
David Winger
Original design example of a large sunny, summer regular front yard modernist garden with good lighting, paving slabs and stone landscaping
Eclectic Mountain Lyons
High Desert Designs, llc
Fresh Design Idea: Large sunny drought tolerant fusion backyard garden with good lighting, stone paving and stone in landscaping - great interior photo
Hardscaping Projects
Sebastian's Tropical Landscape Design, LLC.
Again, adding this changes transforms your home into a beautiful front yard.
Pictured: huge sunny, summer drought tolerant nautical front yard garden with stone landscaping, good lighting and pebbles
niguel west mid-century modern
Moss Yaw Design studio
minimalist landscape details at exterior concrete patio and stairs
Original design example of a small sunny drought tolerant retro backyard garden with stone landscaping, good lighting and paving slabs for outdoors and gardens
Del Mar, CA
Dagos landscaping
One of our many project we execute through the years.
Design ideas for a huge sunny, summer drought tolerant nautical backyard garden with rock landscaping, good lighting, granite chips and wood fence
Oak Tree Setting With Hillside Views, Landscape Renovation, Northern California
Dig Your Garden Landscape Design
The back areas of this expansive back yard landscape lies beneath several mature oak trees.
Lounging chairs positioned to take advantage of the distant hillside views. The landscape has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design
Banyon Tree Design Studio
Urban landscape masterplan and installation.
We created continuity of color, texture, and form starting at the street and front yard, and reaching to the rear yard and alleyway. Contemporary and naturalistic plantings blur the lines of rigidity and formality of this modern garden, while the structure of hardscaping holds the composition together year-round.
Kirkland Residencial Garden
Kim Rooney Design
Fresh design idea: sunny plot and medium-sized garden in the front yard in a modern style with a driveway, good lighting, paving slabs and stone in landscape design - excellent photo of the interior
Country garden
Example of original design: sunny regular garden in classic style with good lighting, gravel and stone landscaping
Front Yard Plants Getting Established
Landscape Logic
This is the front yard designed and completed by Landscape Logic. A nice compilation of artificial turf, dry river bed, low water plants, mulch, etc.
