Garden

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard garden in Portland with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun garden in Boston with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Hawkeye Landscape Design We began this project with the idea of making a friendly entryway and social area under the Mulberry tree which provides much needed shade in this hot, mountainous area. The 'red fescue' meadow grass has a cooling effect and the agaves reduce the need for excess water and maintenance. The backyard has a covered dining area with a corner lounge and fireplace. The large barbecue offers a cantilevered counter for entertaining. The waterfall into the pool is surrounded with bamboo and plantings that emulate the hillside beyond the property. The permeable paving and mix of Vitex and Olive trees provide shade for smaller seating areas to enjoy the variety of succulents throughout the garden

Schiefer - Naturstein - Trockenmauer Slate - natural stone - dry stone wall Verbena bonariensis - Eisenkraut - Argentinian vervain Stipa gigantea Stipa tenuissima Thymus praecox Pinus mugo Rocks Clematis Magnolia Salvia Achillea filipendula 'Feuerland'

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

This space originally was dirt and steep hill. TLC designed not only a functional space but also a drainage issue.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun garden in Charlotte with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Photography by Allen Russ.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun garden in DC Metro with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Country backyard full sun formal garden in Other with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers for summer.

terraced backyard, beautiful natives, masonry
Photo of an expansive modern backyard partial sun formal garden in Boston with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

A fantastic outdoor entertaining area next to the spring house on this beautiful historic Doylestown property. Boulder walls and steps were used to fix the grade and a bluestone patio makes a great area for a fire pit and entertaining. Nick Pugliese

An ancient oil jar, tipped and planted with succulents. Wendy Harper
Photo of a large mediterranean backyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in Los Angeles with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

This small patio space and bi-level garden was created to convert a back garden space that was difficult to utilize for the home owners and their small children. A small lawn adds outdoor play space surrounded by screening trees and low water grasses, Pin cushion shrubs, Kangaroo paws and Hydrangea ‘Limelight’ to add to the soft light yellow, green and sage color pallet.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional side yard full sun garden in Seattle with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Beach Front Lookout.
This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard full sun garden for summer in New York with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Zoysia turf grass with limestone retaining wall and cistern. whales tongue agave below
Expansive contemporary backyard full sun formal garden in Austin with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers for spring.

Relaxed Family Garden, Channel Islands, UK
Large country backyard full sun garden in Channel Islands with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers for summer.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary front yard partial sun formal garden for spring in DC Metro with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun garden for summer in San Francisco with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Brad Lois
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun garden in Milwaukee with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.