Plantings

 Sun

'Baggesen's Gold' honeysuckle shrub and 'Bowle's Golden' sedge balance fine texture against the coarse heaviness of this Post Modern block house.

The round form of blue fescue 'Elijah Blue' is reaffirmed by sculpture.

Vertical foliage of carex, liriope and flax break up the horizontal lines of the wall.

Lavender and Italian cypress reinforce this home's Mediterranean Style.

Heather, hebe, Spanish lavender and sedges make a colorful winter display.

Grasses, spiraea, and aspen are low maintenance and stabalize a slope.

A raised vegetable bed, purple sage, Spanish lavender, creeping thyme and heathers soften the sunny side of a patio.

A useless, sloping front lawn was replaced by grasses, heathers and perennials for a variety of color and texture.

   Lamb's Ear and sedum carry the house color into the garden and thrive next to a hot driveway.

 Shade

A shaded out lawn has been replaced with a firepit, seating area and shade loving plants.

Hosta 'June', adds boldness to a traditional shady plant composition.

Shady areas need not be devoid of a lush undergrowth. Here, a variety of leaf size, shape and color create interest.

Mix

A mix of sunny and shady areas are filled with a tapestry of low maintenance plants in this front yard.

Vine maple, sedge and sword fern provide contrast against a brick background in an area that recieves morning but not afternoon sun.

 Before

Donna's house shortly after purchase had a fairly typical yard planted with lawn and severly tortured shrubs.

After

Years later the shrubs that were retained have assumed more natural proportions and the lawn has been replaced with a gravel path, courtyard and an informal planting style, creating a place to relax and chat with the community.

Donna's informal front path in early spring is flanked by heather, euphorbia and veronica.