The Water Wise Entertainer's Dream

_Note: any bulleted, italicized comments you see come from our in-house landscape designer!_

See this landscape design in Simplyscapes.

In the front yard, you can see many low-growing shrubs and blooming perennials that surround an impressive dry creek bed. The owners' favorite plants are miniature lilac bushes which bloomed past Memorial Day this year.

• _Variety is the name of the game here, in plant colors, shapes, sizes, and textures_
• _Movement is created by the use of line and direction_
• _Some of the plants featured: thyme, snow in summer, juniper, columnar weeping spruce, ornamental grass_

One thing to note about the planters is that even though they used rocks for the creek bed, they still have mulch surrounding their plants. This helps the land to retain moisture better than gravel or small rocks.

On both sides of the front yard, angular fences provide privacy to the front of the house and reinforce the modern design. Behind the fences, there are many pathways of different materials, making the spaces feel individual yet cohesive.

• _Some featured plants here: Daylilies, pine, and ornamental grass_

Unique water features throughout the property add visual interest while also serving as a resource to local pollinators.

• _The mulch in this space doubles as a meandering, woodsy walkway_

Along the front of the house, a raised patio offers a non-traditional approach to a social space. Because it's in the front yard, it's accessible to neighbors and other visitors, yet the fence in front helps to make it feel more private and intimate. This space and the space in front of it are well shaded by large evergreens and smaller maple trees.

• _Groupings of three_
• _Repeated color, the pops of red-orange contrast perfectly with the slate-blue background of the house_
• _The pots are complete with a "thriller, filler, spiller"_ - _Thriller stands up tall, filler rounds it out and adds color, spiller cascades over the edge_

To reach the backyard, you pass through a gated area with artificial turf where the previous owners had their show dogs enjoy the outdoors. This space may not be for everyone, but it certainly is a clever idea for those who are concerned about having problems with their dogs with or without grass.

• _Peonies, bark mulch, rock retaining walls, and ornamental grass make for a great impression_

Upon entering the backyard, pink and white peonies steal the show in the spring, and two large waterfalls that spill into a lower pool add to the naturalist vibe.

Crossing over a metal bridge, you can see the details of the waterfall and surrounding plant life up close.

• _Unity is created as the wooden base of the bridge ties in with the wood siding on the home, and the stone in the walkway ties in with the riverbed stone below_
• _The materials bring a natural feel, as does the natural way that the plants are woven into the riverbed_
• _Some plants used: ornamental grass, ground cover, weeping Norway spruce_

• _The river is clearly the star of the show here, and its meandering properties are echoed in the weeping form of the tree and the crawling ground covers below._
• _Plants featured: irises, ornamental grass, moss phlox, English ivy, weeping Norway spruce, penstemon_

Neutral colored pavers tie in with the detached garage and carry you to the right a hot tub, a covered walkway to a deck for outdoor dining, and towards the back of the property.

• _Between the ground cover and a variety of low, clumping shrubs, this space is all the better without a grassy lawn patch._
• _Plants featured: irises, dwarf mugo pine, lavender, chameleon plant_

• _This area is begging to be explored and enjoyed, with a variety of color and beautiful things to look at._
• _Plants featured: petunias, weeping Norway spruce, pine tree, red barberry, daylilies_

• _This space is both secluded and social. The artificial turf and stone walkway make for a low-maintenance, easily enjoyed space_

Here you can find another shaded social space with a fire pit where the owners love to hang out, as well as a fairly large putting green, complete with a sand trap. Clearly this garden is suited for company and strikes the perfect balance between modern and natural. It also shows that water wise landscaping doesn't have to compromise beauty or function.

See this landscape design in Simplyscapes.