We created a stunning front yard by taking out an old lawn and putting in lush plantings with walls. We made great use of the new flattened space by putting a putting green on top of the walls. Working with the natural grades of the land, the retaining walls create a real wow factor when viewed from both above and below. We updated the 20 year old all plantings with colorful shrubs with burgundy, silver, and green foliage. Perennial flowers give the added touch of color that we want all throughout the yard. Make sure you read to the bottom to see the before picture!

Matching the New to the Old

Taking the time and care to match the new stone that we purchased for the new retaining walls to the old 20 year old stone that was on these columns resulted in a harmonious look. The new caps that we poured look the same as those on the old column caps: both in color and in cantilever style.

Plantings: Deer and Drought Resistant, Colored Foliage

We kept the old tall pot which had once been a pot fountain. We surrounded it with lush plantings, mainly drought-tolerant and deer resistant. The gray, almost white foliage of the Dusty Miller pulls out the same color in the columns. Notice the different foliage colors of the plants: burgundy, white, and green. This is a trick that landscapers use to achieve color in a yard without having to rely on flowers, which are higher maintenance. The white Dusty Miller is particularly striking against the Purple Barberry.

Cutting Garden Plants Blended In

Most homeowners think that if a cutting garden is desired, it needs to be in a separate part of the yard. We just blend the cutting flowers right in with the other landscape plants. And foliage is one of the most important elements for making floral arrangements. The many different foliage colors serve as foils for the flowers. The roses are a delicate light purple color, along with the purple of the Statice flowers. These, along with the yellowy-orange of the Kangaroo Paws, look great next to the old abandonned pot fountain.

The View Towards the Pool House

This view towards the pool house accentuates the elevation changes which become an asset when planned for correctly. It took us over an hour to set just the one boulder that is between the two walls that support the putting green. Notice how well the new walls match with the old ones. Most of the plants are evergreen (or everpurple or evenwhite) so that it looks good all year.

The View to the Main House

The resultant view to the main house, after our changes, is much more interesting than the boring lawn was. Trees planted 20 years ago anchor the house to the yard. The homeowners enjoy using the putting green with their guests and for their own relaxation. The low voltage lights make it usable by night.

How It Looked Before

Before the renovation took place, an old patchy lawn and overgrown plantings dominated the landscape.