Growing a Towering Snow Bush in a Container

Why This Tropical Shrub Thrives in a Pot Snow bush (Breynia nivosa Roseopicta) typically reaches 3–4 ft in Southern California, but at Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar, a potted specimen approaches tropical he

Build a Tranquil Trickle Fountain in Four Hours

Elegant Water Feature for Patio or Garden Corner A garden without water is like a theater without a stage, says Rosemary Verey. This easy-to-build fountain adds motion, life, and soothing sound without splashing—perfect

From Parking Pad to Backyard Courtyard: A First-Timer's Journey

A Yearlong Labor of Love in Seattle Jordan and Leanne Rubins only outdoor space was a lifeless rectangular parking pad of concrete, gravel, and asphalt beside a busy street—no fence, no plants. Inspired by books, magazin

Fall Planting Gives Gardens a Head Start

Why Autumn Can Beat Spring for Establishment Landscape architect Martin Mosko of Boulder, Colorado, finds that when weather stays mild, fall-planted gardens gain a years growth over spring plantings. His October-started

Lush, Water-Wise Entry Garden in Colorado Springs

Thriving Between Driveway and Walkway Hemmed by a driveway and brick walk, Peggy Ives and Roger Herouxs entry garden in Colorado Springs bursts with colorful, unthirsty plants. Landscape architect Jeanie Sims selected to

Columnar Apple Trees: Perfect for Small Spaces

Grow Full-Size Apples in a Narrow Footprint Colonnade apples, introduced in the mid-90s, grow upright and narrow—fruit forms on short spurs along the main trunk, not horizontal branches. They fit easily along fences, dec

A Living Tapestry in a Seattle Parking Strip

Contrasting Foliage and Seasonal Blooms on a Slope Designed by Glenn Withey and Charles Price, this Seattle garden transforms a parking strip and stairway into an elaborate tapestry. From the curb, a clump of eulalia gra

Nancy Short's Garden Wisdom: A Lifetime of Passion

An Extraordinary Gardeners Philosophy Your garden is one of the few places where you can do exactly as you please, says Nancy Davidson Short, former Northwest editor of Sunset. On her ¾-acre lakefront property in Bellevu

Painting Walls to Showcase Sculptural Plants

Color and Form in a Phoenix Walled Garden Designer Debra Burnette uses 7-foot stucco walls painted in rich, flat latex hues as backdrops for sculptural, colorful plants at a home near the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Wall

The Sunset Garden Tour: A Legacy of Western Horticulture

A Historic Display Garden Evolves Sunsets headquarters in Menlo Park, California, sits on land granted in 1815. The original display garden, designed by Thomas Church, showcased Western climate zones from Arizona deserts

Design a Stunning Flower Border in Five Simple Steps

Break It Down: Curves, Lace, Accents, Layers, Color Echoes Creating a flower border neednt be intimidating. Even pros struggle with plant placement, but breaking the task into five elements makes it manageable—and a bord

A Garden Path That Invites Exploration

From Passive Viewing to Active Strolling Carol and David Agers rear garden in Woodinville, Washington, once encouraged spectating. Carol transformed it by installing steppingstones that wind up a densely planted hillside

Wheelchair-Accessible Italianate Garden in Fresno

Old World Charm Meets Universal Design Kimberly Chamberlains pie-shaped lot in Fresno holds an Italianate garden designed by Terry Broussard—complete with elegant urns, lions-head fountains, slate countertops, and a rais

Protecting a Native Oak with a Decomposed Granite Patio

A Water-Wise, Deer-Resistant Garden Under a Coast Live Oak Cara and Tim Hoxie of Orinda, California, discovered their coast live oak was suffering from summer watering of the lawn beneath it. The solution: replace the th

An Herbal Haven on California's South Coast

A Mediterranean-Inspired Garden Filled with Scent and Flavor Rana Malas wanted a garden reminiscent of her childhood near the Mediterranean Sea—aromatic foliage like scented geraniums, lavender, rosemary, and thyme. She

Reimagine a Narrow Front Yard with Diagonal Design

Turning a Driveway-Dominated Space into a Garden Oasis On a slender 37½-foot-wide lot in Los Osos, California, a driveway once swallowed the front yard, leaving only a tiny glorified doormat of a garden behind a fence. L

Create a Magical Courtyard Retreat

Designing a Cozy Outdoor Sanctuary Transforming a courtyard into a personal haven is all about blending comfort, color, and clever details. The Zischkes five-sided gazebo anchors their 900-square-foot courtyard, but a sm

Fountain with a Past: Ancient Aqueduct-Inspired Water Feature

Jurors called this garden fantastical, gutsy, refreshing. Its centerpiece, designed by landscape architect Gregory Trutza, is an 8-foot-tall ancient aqueduct with faded Sumerian hieroglyphs on Italian lime plaster, sugge

Southwest Shrubs: Fairy Dusters for Color and Wildlife

Fairy dusters (Calliandra species) are top shrubs for Southwest landscapes: showy flowers spring–fall, ferny foliage, airy form, low maintenance, low-to-moderate water. Powder-puff blooms with long stamens attract hummin

Sails by the Sea: Whimsical Coastal Garden in Southern California

Jana Ruzicka designed a Southern California garden inspired by ocean waves and breezes. A sculptural steel fence replaces a chain-link barrier, enhancing views. Free-form walls hug seating; giant sail-like patio covers f