Creating a Focal Point

This corner of a yard cried out for a reason to be noticed and a water feature was the perfect solution. The design of the waterfall lets water tumble into a pool so there is the soothing sound of moving water. The plants are perfectly placed to give the waterfall a natural and relaxed look. The designer chose a tropical palette that included colorful Canna lilies and lacy ferns.

Hardscape

This functional path allows access to the air conditioning unit which also benefits from the addition of well chosen plants. The creative design of the path makes it eye appealing but its stamped concrete effect, the path’s shape and color of the concrete that harmonizes with the home’s stucco color combine its functionality with attractive elements. See how it also picks up the color found in the brick retaining wall? Compare this to a plain concrete walkway and you’ll see a walkway’s possibilities!

Beautifying a Fence

Walls and fences provide an excellent foundation for creating a focal point. Vines such as bougainvillea can soften the harsh lines of a fence while also providing privacy. Complement them with plants differing in height, texture, and color then fill in with ground cover. Here, the contrast in foliage provides color interest even when the blooms aren’t in season.

Before & After

An empty palette with boring hardscape can become something beautiful. This homeowner was prepared to lose some existing landscape in exchange for a softer, rustic look. Achieve a natural or rustic look by using railroad ties, split rail fencing, oaks and Eucalyptus.

Before:

After: A natural look was created in this yard by breaking up the solid paths. This look can be achieved by using stamped concrete or flagstone. Texture was added by using ornamental grass, which provides movement, and scattering some boulders about. When the plants mature and fill in, the look will be relaxed and casual. Don’t forget to add lighting to highlight your focal points and note the seating area that takes advantage of the newly created view.

Before & After:

This homeowner had a good foundation for creating a tropical paradise. A big property that became overgrown and needed taming got some help with the addition of plants from a tropical palette as well as the addition of a tiki hut. The existing landscape required additional hardscape, had drainage issues to address along with mature palms that were poorly located. All but one of the palms was integrated into a new design that included the addition of grass and plants offering color by way of foliage and blooms. Your designer should question in detail how you want to use your landscape as well as identify plants that can be recycled into the new design. This completed design also included a fountain, seating area, a pathway to create a ‘jungle’ stroll, and an outdoor kitchen that was made more convenient for entertaining by designing patio space to flow easily around it.

Before:

After:

Sideyards Sideyards don’t often provide much room for creativity and often become an unsightly storage place for trashcans, tools and yard equipment. Our designers can take advantage of this hidden treasure to create a garden retreat or add picturesque rock for an unstructured path. Draw from a suitable plant palette to enhance the look and add interest. Don’t forget the opportunities that can arise by using garden art such as this Galapagos tortoise or even a bench.

Thinking Big

Large properties lend themselves to massive plantings, multiple vignettes and the opportunity to work with mature landscaping already in place. Incorporating existing trees into this design not only saved the homeowner money but created a natural look offset with ornamental grass and a stone retaining wall.

Achieving The Look

A good designer will ask you how long you’d like to wait before your yard fills in. That has a bearing on the cost of your project as it is more expensive to buy larger, more mature plants than smaller ones that will need time to look established. You’ll also be asked about the colors you’d like to see in your garden as well as the shape of plants. Mixing things for an eclectic look is an art and should be done by someone with plant knowledge. You’ll want suggestions that work well with your existing irrigation and soil quality as well as things that when paired together require similar maintenance.

A small corner of a yard can become a focal point. This landscape design incorporates a water feature in the form of a very small pond and complements it with plants selected from a tropical palette. A tropical look is described as being lush and overgrown and uses bamboo, ferns, bougainvillea, palms and mounded formations.

Adding Shapes

Squares and rectangles provide clean lines that work well in modern or Asian landscapes. There are times when they can be useful and other times when they create a challenge by lending hard lines that need softening. In this landscape (above) a designer has successfully added wave-shaped beds of color. To add interest, the designer spaced tall palms and shorter nandinas at appropriate intervals. Below, the eye moves along a square back yard to follow an unexpected curve that not only softens the hardscape but provides additional space for plants.

Hardscape

Landscape design is not limited to plants, or softscape. Designers can design patios, patio covers, fire pits, pools and outdoor kitchens. Here, an outdoor space has become an entertaining area. What could have been a large expanse of patio receives interest from having the fire pit slightly elevated. Most importantly, the area flows with lots of traffic areas.

Color Without Blooms

This design looks very simple. It is effective and manages to use a lot of plants. Note the variations of color, yet there are very few blooming plants! The large Norfolk pine provides shade for the colorful impatiens. Dramatic foliage color is supplied by spotted ligularias, Coleus, and plectranthus. Giant bird of paradise provides a nice tropical background against a stone retaining wall and the potted zamia furfuracea lends height and helps define the edge of the patio from the shade plantings.

No Room For Landscaping?

Landscape design isn’t limited to putting things in the earth. Here a designer has created a colorful wall tapestry. Containers can also be designed to create effect where there is limited space.

Creating Curb Appeal

One of the many elements of curb appeal is simplicity from a distance. By using large areas of contrast, this design catches the eye of every passerby. Our designers can apply all curb appeal elements to your project. A close-up view of the planting bed shows how plants and a gentle curve are further enhanced by the graceful lines of a statute.

Creating Distance By utilizing perspective, a designer can make a small distance appear much longer. The use of multiple focal points, such as plants, art and seating help ‘propel’ the visitor to meander through this garden.

Create Excitement on Hillsides & Slopes Stone walls and steps can turn a boring hillside into a place for exploration and discovery. By using a ‘wild garden’ style, maintenance can be kept to a minimum.

Incorporating Architectural Features

A landscape design needs to work from every direction, not just the front. The entry to this home needed to be from the driveway rather than the street therefore, prominence of the entry gate was achieved by a low colorful planting on the street side. The curves of the plantings and walkway integrate the round turret and architectural curves of the house while providing a relaxing mood. By varying the heights of the plants, the long walkway is not a focal point from the street, but instead frames the entry gate.

Theme Gardens This garden (below) is actually the entrance to a ‘tea garden’, based on Alice In Wonderland. Landscaping can take a long time. This ‘tea garden’ took three years to create and take shape. The entry is created by cloaking a trellis with ‘Joseph’s Coat’ rose. You can see the entry (right) to the theme garden tucked in the back of the yard. Hardscape is softened by using the broken rock for pathways and mound shaped plants. Curved planting beds along the perimeter of the garden add to the rustic appearance and provide consistency to the rambling, full look of the plants.

Showcase Worthy In 2003, Walter Andersen Nursery landscape designer, Sharon May was asked to design the landscape of the 30th Annual San Diego Historical Society Showcase. It was a craftsman style home in Mission Hills and the one requirement she faced was having to work with the persimmon colored front door. Sharon chose a plant palette that coordinated with the persimmon door as well as emphasized the architectural window details.

Finding Balance

This design makes the most of playing up what little planting areas many tract homes have today. A bright color palette is eye catching and balance is provided by Mandevillas flanking the corners of the planting bed to showcase a New Zealand Flax. The tall Star jasmine in the back camouflages the corner and provides a reason for the eye to travel up without stealing the spotlight.