Mexican Fence Post Cactus as Living Sculpture

Inspired by Luis Barragáns Mexico City Garden Designer Craig Pearson saw Mexican fence post cactus (Pachycereus marginatus) planted as a living fence at architect Luis Barragáns property. At a Phoenix home, Pearson clust

Getting Started with Water-Wise Landscaping

Facing the Wests Water Crisis Californias third drought year, Colorado River low 9 of last 10 years, Sierra snowpack projected 25% depleted by 2050, Arizonas San Pedro River groundwater down 30%. Las Vegas proves aridity

Five Ways to Protect Your Home from Wildfire

Fire-Resistant Strategies for Western Homes At 2,000°F, nothing stops a conflagration, but lesser fires can be survived with preparation. Homes typically burn when windblown embers ignite the roof—the best precaution is

Cara Meyers: Horticulturist and Garden Designer

Co-Owner of DIG Gardens and Hidden Gardens Nursery Cara Meyers and her husband Will own two Santa Cruz County garden stores: DIG Gardens and Hidden Gardens Nursery. They also design and install residential landscapes. Ca

A Circular Fire Pit Patio for Family Evenings

Campfire Ambience Meets Living Room Comfort In Elfin Forest, north San Diego County, Karen Gardner and John Phillips circular sitting area combines campfire vibe with living room comfort. Low walls enclose built-in bench

Espaliered Orchard on an Arched Arbor in San Francisco

24 Fruit Trees in a Small Garden Landscape designer Stephen Suzman fit an entire orchard into a small San Francisco garden by espaliering trees on a 6-ft-wide, 56-ft-long arched iron arbor. Inspired by Gertrude Jekyll, t

Opening a Hillside Garden to Views

From Scraggly Junipers to a View-Embracing Retreat Brian and Cristen Godfreys Lafayette, California, garden sits at the base of a steep hillside with gorgeous rolling-hill views. Years ago, 3-foot-deep junipers and a hug

Container Gardening Tips: Design, Soil, Placement, Water, Fertilizer

Essential Advice for Successful Potted Plantings Design: Plan on paper or test combos on a nursery wagon. Choose a pot suiting your homes architecture and garden colors; large containers maximize impact. Drill drainage i

A Plantaholic's Botanical Garden in Scottsdale

Agaves, Cactus, and Perennials on One Acre Mike Plattas 1-acre Scottsdale property reads like a botanical garden, thanks to his plant-hunting skills honed in the University of Arizona Master Gardener program. He position

Desert Island Bed: A Water-Wise Tucson Oasis

Striking Color and Texture in an Island Bed Maryse and Werner Bucks Tucson garden features a lush island bed anchored by a native mesquite that shields from summer scald and winter frost. A rosy flagstone patio and walkw

Five Ways to Add Bold Color to Your Garden

An Artists Canvas on a Shady Hillside Diana Strattons Healdsburg garden bursts with color inspired by childhood memories of Morocco. A once-white greenhouse is now cobalt blue with chartreuse trim; red and salmon pink ro

A Romantic Tunnel of Vines

Covered Walkway Separates Garden Areas Cheri Maggiano wanted a classic, romantic covered walkway to visually separate garden areas at her Santa Ana home. Mike Parsons of Saddleback Valley Ornamental Iron built an arbor o

Creating a "House Within a Garden" in Santa Monica

From Exposed Slope to Private Retreat Bill and Debbi Wishers Southern California garden sloped down to the house from a rear garage, with no screening from the street. Landscape architect Pamela Palmer and designer Miria

Simple Backyard Retreat for Morning Coffee

Intimate Space, Rich Textures, Easy Care At Susan Skinner and Bob Heisterbergs Glen Ellen hillside home, a small area off the master bedroom faces east, bathed in soft morning light and shielded from hot afternoon sun by

Xeriscape Demonstration Garden in Colorado Springs

Testing Plants Against the Elements The 3½-acre Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscape Demonstration Garden sits on an exposed site with views of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. Beds showcase shrubs like burgundy barber

From Ugliest Yard to Inviting Entry: A Bremerton Transformation

Owner-Designed Fence and Cottage Garden John Paulsen turned his barren, dangerous-drop-off yard into a neighborhood standout. He designed and built a stepped cedar lattice fence along the sidewalk and driveway, setting s

Streamline a Front Yard in Four Steps

Entry Path, Courtyard, and Shade Trees Transform a Phoenix Yard Landscape architect Christy Ten Eyck redesigned Patricia and Wellington Reiters front yard: a straight walkway now leads to the front door, intersecting a c

Family Garden Makeover: 10 Steps to Success

Turning a Kids Hangout into a Dream Garden David and Celestina Finkle of San Jose transformed their 2,900-sq-ft backyard with help from their daughter Sharon, a passionate gardener and future landscape architect. Priorit

Building a Victorian Country Outdoor Living Room

Professionals Handle the Heavy Hardscape Bob and Debi Kahn of Thousand Oaks, California, wanted a Victorian country outdoor room with pool, spa, waterfall, gazebo, built-in barbecue, patio, pocket planters, and raised ve

Smart Plant Shopping: Arrange, Pair, and Check

Nursery Cart Design to Avoid Costly Mistakes Landscape designers match perennials on a nursery cart to see what works together. Follow these steps: Arrange plants on a cart to test combinations. Pair flowers for color—h