The Abundant Garden Makes Room for Plants

Creating space for outdoor living has grown as a landscape trend since the middle of the last century, especially regarding small gardens, taking priority over using the garden to grow plants. But for some, the

Soak It Up: How to Manage Stormwater in Your Landscape

Snowmelt and spring rains are on their way, and in many places, excessive runoff from them is a recurring springtime problem. As a homeowner, you can help by allowing water to infiltrate your property instead of

Garden Walls: Gabion Evolves From Functional to Fabulous

In February, Seattle hosted the 27th annual Northwest Flower & Garden Show at the Washington State Convention Center. With 23 show gardens, nine city-living displays (balcony gardens aimed at apartment and c

15 Ideas for a Stunning Garden Path

Paths are invitations to explore, to step out of your home and venture into nature — even if it’s your own backyard. In fact, a thoughtfully designed path can turn a simple walk across the yard into an opportuni

4 Ways Green Roofs Help Manage Stormwater

Green roofs have a number of environmental benefits. In addition to improving air quality, conserving energy and reducing the urban heat island effect, green roofs benefit water quality by absorbing water during

Inside Houzz: Soft Geometry in a Modern Wisconsin Garden

Bob Gruendyke and Chrissy Kruger-Gruendyke didn’t let the fact that they live in Milwaukee deter them from wanting a Southern California–style, modernist-inspired landscape. It’s true their yard spends much of t

Stormwater Planters Manage Runoff in Small Gardens

Even if you don’t have room in your yard for a swale, a rain garden or other infiltration areas, you can still practice sustainable stormwater management. Stormwater planters manage runoff directly from your roo

Landscape Design Features Play With Natural Light

When I was studying photography in college, my professor said there were three things that were imperative in making a successful image: technical ability, access to the subject and light. That last point has a

To Manage Stormwater Sustainably, Understand Your Site

The key to creating a truly resilient and sustainable stormwater management plan for your home landscape is to understand your site. Look at how water works in your landscape and how it fits into the big picture

Garden Walls: Dry-Stacked Stone Walls Keep Their Place in the Garden

Dry-stack construction has existed for centuries. Terraced retaining walls built by the Incas at Machu Picchu are probably some of the most well-known examples of this technique, dating back to the 15th century.

How to Rock a Lawn

Ongoing droughts have meant it’s increasingly hard to justify lawns in places like California, Nevada and Arizona. But in wetter states, such as Florida, Louisiana and Alabama, having a lawn usually comes with t

Learn Your Garden’s Microclimates for a Resilient Landscape

Planning a sustainable garden begins with understanding microclimates and how they affect plant growth. Microclimates are pockets of space within your home landscape where the temperature and climate can be very

10 Ways to Take Containers Beyond the Patio

Placing a planted container near the front door is an excellent way to create an inviting entry experience for guests. A pot on a back patio adds color and interest and helps to draw you outside. However, there

How to Design and Plant in Dry, Sunny Spots

Dry, sunny and wind-swept places in the garden often pose a challenge for the home gardener. But extra watering to keep plants alive in those places is a waste of your time and resources. Beyond planting drought

How to Design a Beautiful Shade Garden

Shade gardens can be the most luxurious places in the landscape, because they are great places for solitude and privacy. Make the most of your cool, shaded garden spot with these planting and design tips.

Garden Walls: Pour On the Style With Concrete

Durable, versatile and clean are all words to describe a concrete garden wall. Whether your tastes lean toward contemporary or classic, concrete can fit into almost any landscape. In this article, we’re going to

Take a Peek: A Peaceful Backyard Near Puget Sound

Seattle landscape designer Scot Eckley was given a blank canvas of a backyard and instructed simply to make it magical. The homeowner spends the majority of her time traveling the country in her motor home and w

A Designer Uses PVC Pipe to Cast a Modern Garden Gate

Seattle landscape designer Scot Eckley created a magical backyard for a client’s home near Puget Sound, Washington. For the yard’s Zen-like garden, Eckley topped the ground with permeable gravel and stepping cir

10 Designs Bring Theatrical Drama to the Garden

Theater and garden design have been closely connected at various points in gardening history. During the Italian Renaissance, an outdoor stage was often set in the classic formal gardens, where operas and plays

Recipe for Mediterranean Edible Garden Style

Mediterranean countries are an inspiration to the world in their culinary traditions, as well as in garden design. Those two cultural threads mesh quite seamlessly, too, as there is a tradition in that part of t