The team helped transform an area once filled with spotty grass to a back yard that will look amazing all year. The project included removing existing pavers and reshaping the end of the paver walkway, artificial turf, concrete slab, concrete borders, river rock, succulents, drip irrigation, and running electrical for an outdoor fridge. The space is now low maintenance and ready for entertaining.

Photo of a large and desert look backyard partial sun xeriscape in Denver with natural stone pavers.

Photo of a small and desert look contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape for spring in Los Angeles with concrete pavers.

After. Cactus and succulents add interest and drama year-round, even when not in bloom.
This is an example of a desert look eclectic front yard partial sun xeriscape in Las Vegas.

Learn more about this design or receive a quote by contacting us online: https://creativeenvironments.com/contact-us/

This photo was taken four years after completion of the landscaping. Four years ago, we renovated this desolate, weedy front yard by creating terraces with beatiful stone retaining walls. Then we added colorful, drought tolerant plants that grow so well in San Francisco's Mediterranean climate. We installed drip irrigation and concealed it with attractive ginger rock pebble mulch.

These homeowners were looking to up their hosting game by modernizing their property to create the ultimate entertainment space. A custom outdoor kitchen was added with a top of the line Delta Heat grill and a special nook for a Big Green Egg. Flagstone was added to create asymmetrical walkways throughout the yard that extended into a ring around the fire pit. Four rectangular trellises were added along the fence and shed, with an all metal pergola located at the back of the pool. This unique structure immediately draws the eye and adds a playful, artistic element to the rest of the space. The use of various sized rocks, gravel, and flagstone give a rough texture that creates a symbiosis with the metalwork. Silver Falls Dichondra creates a beautiful contrast to the rocks and can be found all over the property along with various other grasses, ferns, and agave. A large area of gravel rests on the side of the house, giving the client room to park a recreational vehicle. In front, a privacy fence was added along one of the property lines, leading into a drought resistant, eco-friendly section of yard. This fence, coupled with a giant boulder, doubles as a safety precaution in case drivers miss the turn and run into their lawn. This updated landscaping adds an effortless flow for guests to move from the front yard to the back while creating a very open, welcoming feel to all who enter.

Entry off lawn to desert/prairie style meadow. The bark path leads to red desert stone pathways around a number of shrubs, numerous grasses, ground covers and perennials along with a full spattering of annuals for season-long color.

Custom steel and limestone boulder retaining walls with xeric Texas planting. Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/

Photo by Martin Cox Photography.
Photo of a small and desert look modern backyard partial sun xeriscape for spring in Los Angeles.

These homeowners were looking to up their hosting game by modernizing their property to create the ultimate entertainment space. A custom outdoor kitchen was added with a top of the line Delta Heat grill and a special nook for a Big Green Egg. Flagstone was added to create asymmetrical walkways throughout the yard that extended into a ring around the fire pit. Four rectangular trellises were added along the fence and shed, with an all metal pergola located at the back of the pool. This unique structure immediately draws the eye and adds a playful, artistic element to the rest of the space. The use of various sized rocks, gravel, and flagstone give a rough texture that creates a symbiosis with the metalwork. Silver Falls Dichondra creates a beautiful contrast to the rocks and can be found all over the property along with various other grasses, ferns, and agave. A large area of gravel rests on the side of the house, giving the client room to park a recreational vehicle. In front, a privacy fence was added along one of the property lines, leading into a drought resistant, eco-friendly section of yard. This fence, coupled with a giant boulder, doubles as a safety precaution in case drivers miss the turn and run into their lawn. This updated landscaping adds an effortless flow for guests to move from the front yard to the back while creating a very open, welcoming feel to all who enter.

Let us show you what we can do for your outdoor landscape! Give our team a call at (480) 777-9305 or contact us online: https://creativeenvironments.com/contact-us/

This is an example of a small and desert look backyard partial sun garden in Phoenix.

Photo of a mid-sized and desert look side yard partial sun xeriscape in Phoenix with brick pavers.

This photo was taken four years after completion of the landscaping. Four years ago, we renovated this desolate, weedy front yard by creating terraces with beatiful stone retaining walls. Then we added colorful, drought tolerant plants that grow so well in San Francisco's Mediterranean climate. We installed drip irrigation and concealed it with attractive ginger rock pebble mulch.

Large and desert look backyard partial sun xeriscape in Phoenix with brick pavers and a metal fence.

The small back yard became an oasis of desert plants.
Photo of a small and desert look backyard partial sun garden in Phoenix with concrete pavers.

Design ideas for a mid-sized and desert look modern backyard partial sun xeriscape in Other with concrete pavers.

I was initially contacted by the builder and architect working on this Modern European Cottage to review the property and home design before construction began. Once the clients and I had the opportunity to meet and discuss what their visions were for the property, I started working on their wish list of items, which included a custom concrete pool, concrete spa, patios/walkways, custom fencing, and wood structures. One of the largest challenges was that this property had a 30% (or less) hardcover surface requirement for the city location. With the lot size and square footage of the home I had limits to how much hardcover we could add to property. So, I had to get creative. We presented to the city the usage of the Live Green Roof plantings that would reduce the hardcover calculations for the site. Also, if we kept space between the Laurel Sandstones walkways, using them as steppers and planting groundcover or lawn between the stones that would also reduce the hard surface calculations. We continued that theme with the back patio as well. The client’s esthetic leaned towards the minimal style, so by adding greenery between stones work esthetically. I chose the Laurel Tumbled Sandstone for the charm and character and thought it would lend well to the old world feel of this Modern European Cottage. We installed it on all the stone walkways, steppers, and patios around the home and pool. I had several meetings with the client to discuss/review perennials, shrubs, and tree selections. Plant color and texture of the planting material were equally important to the clients when choosing. We grouped the plantings together and did not over-mix varieties of plants. Ultimately, we chose a variety of styles from natural groups of plantings to a touch of formal style, which all work cohesively together. The custom fence design and installation was designed to create a cottage “country” feel. They gave us inspiration of a country style fence that you may find on a farm to keep the animals inside. We took those photos and ideas and elevated the design. We used a combination of cedar wood and sandwich the galvanized mesh between it. The fence also creates a space for the clients two dogs to roam freely around their property. We installed sod on the inside of the fence to the home and seeded the remaining areas with a Low Gro Fescue grass seed with a straw blanket for protection. The minimal European style custom concrete pool was designed to be lined up in view from the porch and inside the home. The client requested the lawn around the edge of the pool, which helped reduce the hardcover calculations. The concrete spa is open year around. Benches are on all four sides of the spa to create enough seating for the whole family to use at the same time. Mortared field stone on the exterior of the spa mimics the stone on the exterior of the home. The spa equipment is installed in the lower level of the home to protect it from the cold winter weather. Between the garage and the home’s entry is a pea rock sitting area and is viewed from several windows. I wanted it to be a quiet escape from the rest of the house with the minimal design. The Skyline Locust tree planted in the center of the space creates a canopy and softens the side of garage wall from the window views. The client will be installing a small water feature along the garage for serene noise ambience. The client had very thoughtful design ideas styles, and our collaborations all came together and worked well to create the landscape design/installation. The result was everything they had dreamed of and more for their Modern European Cottage home and property.