We executed this Scott Menzel design that incorporates drought-tolerant plantings, fire resistant hardscaping and jaw-dropping views of mountains and oceans. In the tool kit: board-formed cast-in-place concrete retaining walls; gravel, mulch and custom concrete paver hardscaping; natural grass and other California native plantings; Ipe pool deck and surround; and gas fire pit backed by a suitable-for-framing-so-we-did view. Design | Scott Menzel Image | Kurt Jordan Photography

Container garden as focal point. Photo by Ketti Kupper
Свежая идея для дизайна: маленький солнечный засухоустойчивый сад на переднем дворе в современном стиле с растениями в контейнерах и хорошей освещенностью для на участке и в саду - отличное фото интерьера

Идея дизайна: большой солнечный засухоустойчивый сад на заднем дворе в современном стиле с растениями в контейнерах, хорошей освещенностью и мощением тротуарной плиткой

This shade arbor, located in The Woodlands, TX north of Houston, spans the entire length of the back yard. It combines a number of elements with custom structures that were constructed to emulate specific aspects of a Zen garden. The homeowner wanted a low-maintenance garden whose beauty could withstand the tough seasonal weather that strikes the area at various times of the year. He also desired a mood-altering aesthetic that would relax the senses and calm the mind. Most importantly, he wanted this meditative environment completely shielded from the outside world so he could find serenity in total privacy. The most unique design element in this entire project is the roof of the shade arbor itself. It features a “negative space” leaf pattern that was designed in a software suite and cut out of the metal with a water jet cutter. Each form in the pattern is loosely suggestive of either a leaf, or a cluster of leaves. These small, negative spaces cut from the metal are the source of the structure’ powerful visual and emotional impact. During the day, sunlight shines down and highlights columns, furniture, plantings, and gravel with a blend of dappling and shade that make you feel like you are sitting under the branches of a tree. At night, the effects are even more brilliant. Skillfully concealed lights mounted on the trusses reflect off the steel in places, while in other places they penetrate the negative spaces, cascading brilliant patterns of ambient light down on vegetation, hardscape, and water alike. The shade arbor shelters two gravel patios that are almost identical in space. The patio closest to the living room features a mini outdoor dining room, replete with tables and chairs. The patio is ornamented with a blend of ornamental grass, a small human figurine sculpture, and mid-level impact ground cover. Gravel was chosen as the preferred hardscape material because of its Zen-like connotations. It is also remarkably soft to walk on, helping to set the mood for a relaxed afternoon in the dappled shade of gently filtered sunlight. The second patio, spaced 15 feet away from the first, resides adjacent to the home at the opposite end of the shade arbor. Like its twin, it is also ornamented with ground cover borders, ornamental grasses, and a large urn identical to the first. Seating here is even more private and contemplative. Instead of a table and chairs, there is a large decorative concrete bench cut in the shape of a giant four-leaf clover. Spanning the distance between these two patios, a bluestone walkway connects the two spaces. Along the way, its borders are punctuated in places by low-level ornamental grasses, a large flowering bush, another sculpture in the form of human faces, and foxtail ferns that spring up from a spread of river rock that punctuates the ends of the walkway. The meditative quality of the shade arbor is reinforced by two special features. The first of these is a disappearing fountain that flows from the top of a large vertical stone embedded like a monolith in the other edges of the river rock. The drains and pumps to this fountain are carefully concealed underneath the covering of smooth stones, and the sound of the water is only barely perceptible, as if it is trying to force you to let go of your thoughts to hear it. A large piece of core-10 steel, which is deliberately intended to rust quickly, rises up like an arced wall from behind the fountain stone. The dark color of the metal helps the casual viewer catch just a glimpse of light reflecting off the slow trickle of water that runs down the side of the stone into the river rock bed. To complete the quiet moment that the shade arbor is intended to invoke, a thick wall of cypress trees rises up on all sides of the yard, completely shutting out the disturbances of the world with a comforting wall of living greenery that comforts the thoughts and emotions.

Uber green earthy contemporary Winner of the Gold Medal and the International Landscaper Designer of The Year for APLD (Association of Professional Landscape Designers) Winner of Santa Barbara Beautiful Award, Large Family Residence

APLD 2022 Award Winning Landscape Design. We designed and installed this dramatic living wall / vertical garden to add a welcoming focal point, and a great way to add living beauty to the large front house wall. The wall includes a variety of succulents, grass-like and cascading plants some with flowers, (some with flowers, Oxalis, Heuchera designed to provide long cascading "waves" with appealing textures and colors. The dated walkway was updated with large geometric concrete pavers with polished black pebbles in between, and a new concrete driveway. Water-wise grasses flowering plants and succulents replace the lawn. This updated modern renovation for this mid-century modern home includes a new garage and front entrance door and modern garden light fixtures. We designed and installed this dramatic living wall / vertical garden to add a welcoming focal point, and a great way to add plant beauty to the large front wall. A variety of succulents, grass-like and cascading plants were designed and planted to provide long cascading "waves" resulting in appealing textures and colors. The dated walkway was updated with large geometric concrete pavers with polished black pebbles in between, and a new concrete driveway. Water-wise grasses flowering plants and succulents replace the lawn. This updated modern renovation for this mid-century modern home includes a new garage and front entrance door and modern garden light fixtures.

A simple contemporary planter is a great accent to this garden.
Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: солнечный, весенний засухоустойчивый сад среднего размера на переднем дворе в современном стиле с высокими грядками, хорошей освещенностью и мощением тротуарной плиткой

A prostrate native salvia and succulent Rock Purslane fill the parkway with fragrance and dancing blooms and are impossible to walk by without smiling.

A 1950's home gets a big update with new fencing, arbors, rear deck, and front gate. Working with a skilled finish carpenter, we created a beautiful new fence to enclose this family-friendly yard. A small lawn provides space to play and enjoy, while California natives and complimentary shrubs surround the yard. Mature trees are protected with natural wood chip mulch. Rock mulch surrounds the 5-foot perimeter of the house with a few low fuel plants for a fire-safe landscape appropriate to the California foothills.

Пример оригинального дизайна: большой солнечный засухоустойчивый сад на внутреннем дворе в современном стиле с пустынными растениями и хорошей освещенностью

Стильный дизайн: маленький летний засухоустойчивый сад на заднем дворе в современном стиле с высокими грядками, полуденной тенью и настилом для на участке и в саду - последний тренд

Photo by Matthew Niemann Photography
На фото: засухоустойчивый сад на переднем дворе в современном стиле с пустынными растениями и покрытием из гравия

Formerly unused hillside was transformed into an upper viewing patio to take advantage of the beautiful San Francisco Bay view.
Пример оригинального дизайна: солнечный, летний засухоустойчивый сад среднего размера на заднем дворе в современном стиле с камнем в ландшафтном дизайне, хорошей освещенностью и мощением тротуарной плиткой

You can read more about the project through this Houzz Feature link: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/hillside-yard-offers-scenic-views-and-space-for-contemplation-stsetivw-vs~131483772

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. Galvanized troughs used for vegetables in the side yard. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree 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

We executed this Scott Menzel design that incorporates drought-tolerant plantings, fire resistant hardscaping and jaw-dropping views of mountains and oceans. In the tool kit: board-formed cast-in-place concrete retaining walls; gravel, mulch and custom concrete paver hardscaping; natural grass and other California native plantings; Ipe pool deck and surround; and gas fire pit backed by a suitable-for-framing-so-we-did view. Design | Scott Menzel Image | Kurt Jordan Photography

Fire pit seating area with fountain and pathway to upper level landscape. ©Daniel Bosler Photography
Свежая идея для дизайна: большой засухоустойчивый сад на заднем дворе в современном стиле с местом для костра и мощением тротуарной плиткой - отличное фото интерьера

Renn Kuhnen Photography
Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: большой солнечный, летний засухоустойчивый сад на боковом дворе в современном стиле с хорошей освещенностью и покрытием из гравия

On the side yard that people rarely use we put a herb and veg garden using 2' x 6' watering troughs set up on cinder blocks.
Пример оригинального дизайна: маленький солнечный засухоустойчивый сад на боковом дворе в современном стиле с растениями в контейнерах и хорошей освещенностью для на участке и в саду