Mass Planting: The Easy Path to High-Design Gardens

Mass planting—one of the easiest landscape moves—is also one of the most elegant. Not just for farms and fields, massing transcends all styles and lot sizes, producing dramatic effects at any scale while revealing design

Sculpture in the Landscape: Art That Engages Nature and Space

From Andy Goldsworthys site-specific works to pink flamingos, outdoor sculptures are always a surprising delight. Placement is critical—each piece relates to plants, landscape architecture, buildings, views, and elements

Pacific Bluff Home Achieves Perfect Indoor-Outdoor Harmony

On an Aptos, California bluff above the Pacific, a modern home achieves rare harmony between architecture, landscape, and dramatic site. Views, sea air, sounds, microclimates, and activities were assembled into a series

10 Private Garden Retreats for Your Backyard Sanctuary

Escaping to the garden after a long workday sounds perfect—but many yards lack a dedicated personal sanctuary. This could be the year you create one, often starting with items you already have. Heres inspiration for a we

Bocce Ball Courts: The Unexpected Star of Residential Landscapes

Landscape architect Randy Thueme revealed that a major project centered around a bocce ball court—and it turns out, theyre everywhere on Houzz. Unlike tennis courts tucked aside, bocce courts claim prime spots adjacent t

10 Secrets to a Stunning Outdoor Room from Designer Sandy Koepke

Sandy Koepkes outdoor spaces feel like true home extensions—comfortable, inviting, and expertly designed for entertaining. After reviewing her portfolio of backyard kitchens and retreats, we secured her top tips for crea

Ornamental Grasses: Movement, Texture, and Ecology in the Landscape

Ornamental grasses come in many varieties. When native and planted in correct microclimates, theyre remarkably low-maintenance. Beyond groundcover and interesting shapes, they add movement and sound in wind. Visit your l

3 Fuss-Free Gardening Strategies for Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Yards

Staring at barren backyard dirt? Too busy, lazy, space-challenged, or self-proclaimed black thumb? Mother Nature has fixes. With initial effort and research, youll save time and money on maintenance. First, accept: no ga

Decks That Save Trees: Designing Around Nature's Giants

Trees and decks are two of the best outdoor elements—shade and intimacy from the former, sitting surface from the latter. When a deck wraps around a tree to preserve it, something exceptional happens. These examples high

4 Steps to Designing Your Perfect Garden

Summer daydreams of backyard picnics meet the reality of a winter-hibernating garden. Whether youre a beginner or seasoned gardener, a clear four-step plan simplifies any upgrade—big or small. 1. Figure Out Your Must-Ha

Get the Look: Spanish-Mediterranean Courtyard Essentials

Spanish-Mediterranean courtyards are cozy enclosed patios designed as living space extensions—areas to sit, dine, and relax surrounded by tile, cooling fountains, and choice plants. Here are nine defining elements with i

Design Lessons from New York's High Line: Urban Chic for Your Backyard

A visit to the High Lines new expansion—an elevated rail line transformed into a mile-long greenway along Manhattans West Side—reveals landscape ideas you can adapt for urban chic at home. Reclaimed Materials as Design

9 Cooling Rooftop Gardens: Green Roofs That Work Beautifully

Green roofs are proliferating across building types—homes, offices, museums—and for good reason. They beautify, slow stormwater runoff, reduce roof temperature, insulate below, and provide habitat. Two main types exist:

Three-Level Sydney Harbor Garden Blurs Indoor-Outdoor Boundaries

On a steep Sydney Harbor hillside, landscape architecture firm Secret Gardens of Sydney achieved the designers holy grail: a landscape indistinguishable from the architecture. Designer Matt Cantwell created a navigable,

Two Pool Houses, Two Personalities: Farm Vernacular Meets Greek Revival

Pool houses are perfect for experimenting with regional design. New York architect James Crisp demonstrates with two markedly different examples—both functional, both thoughtfully related to their main houses and local a

Designing for Sloped Lots: Turning Grade Changes into Garden Assets

Flat yards are a given in some regions, but sloped properties offer unique opportunities for dynamic outdoor spaces. The challenge: address grade changes while creating usable, enjoyable areas. These contemporary respons

Garden Edging: Materials and Styles for Clean, Defined Landscapes

Landscape edging is the unsung hero of garden design—defining spaces, containing lawns, blocking weeds, and keeping plants off walkways. Its one of those elements you dont notice until you see the difference between a ya

11 Inspiring Vertical Gardens That Transform Walls into Living Art

Green walls are surging in popularity as installation methods improve. Two main types dominate: vines climbing armatures, or modular panels with soil and plants mounted on facades. Choice depends on desired look, climate

Beyond Grass: Beautiful Lawn Alternatives for Every Yard

Countless hours, dollars, and patience go into a perfect lawn—watering, fertilizing, mowing, weed whipping. But a lush green carpet isnt your only option for a beautiful yard. From pavers to meadows, here are compelling

Edith Wharton's The Mount: Where Architecture and Landscape Unite

Edith Whartons Berkshires estate, The Mount, showcases the novelists deep understanding of Italian garden design—knowledge she codified in her 1904 book Italian Villas and Their Gardens. Wharton designed the formal garde