BACKYARD DESIGNS

Whether you want your backyard to be a place for quiet solitude, entertaining, wildlife viewing, or all of the above, I design to each person's individual tastes. 

 The developer left my clients with a steep slope covered with ugly rip-rap. To maintain stability of the slope, large boulders were used instead of retaining walls, giving the design a natural feel. Desert natives and desert perennials were planted among the rocks, and around the seating area nestle into the slope. A mock "river run" and a flagstone footbridge add interest.

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AFTER

 

AFTER

 

 

 

MARCH 2022

 

WINTER RETREAT

Additional patio space makes room for a portable fire pit and soothing water feature.

 LAWN CONVERSION

Lawns waste water and are high maintenance. This low maintenance design incorporated a new patio, paths, and drought tolerant plants.

 

PRIVACY WALL WITH A TWIST

To provide privacy without building a fortress, I came up with a different kind of screen wall.

OVERGROWN TO JUST RIGHT

Existing plants took over this small backyard, blocking views and making a maintenance nightmare. New landscape plants will not outgrow their spaces, and will provide seasonal color and attract hummingbirds. The new patio provides a place to soak up the winter sun, and enjoy the mountain views.

 

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AFTER

 PALM DESERT TO SONORAN DESERT

The homeowner purchased a former model home, which the developer had landscaped in Mediterranean style, including many palm trees. The homeowner's wish list included removing the palms, and creating a separate patio. They wanted plantings to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, sticking with low water use desert natives and desert adapted plants.

 

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AFTER

 

 

 FOCAL POINT

This client wanted something pleasing to see outside of her music room. A rock garden with desert perennials fit her needs perfectly.

CREATING INSTANT SHADE

This townhome had NO shade, and in fact, had no place for plants because the previous homeowner had bricked over everything. I suggested lifting bricks to create planting areas, and since the yard was too small for a tree, adding a permanent shade structure.

  

TOUCHES OF COLOR

 Colorful pots add color even when plants are blooming, and so does tile. Here, I did both.