Ripping out a Builders Landscape

This project began last fall when this house was in the final stages of completion. Working with the homeowner we developed a design that helped to support and embellish this corner lot. Knowing that the builder was required to install a minimum number of landscape trees and shrubs , the design indicated where the shade trees needed to be located. We utilized most of the shrubs provided by the builder in the new design.
This corner lot featured a large utility box near the driveway which needed to be screened. I incorporated a bed shape that included both the tree on the corner and the utility box. Too often I see a large square block of shrubs that covers a smaller square block that is the utility box. The idea here is to create an organic shape that softens the box without drawing attention to what we are trying to hide.

Backyard Patio makeover

This landscape project began as an overgrown backyard with an aggregate concrete patio and pathways that were very dated. We discussed with the homeowner where they wanted to take the project. The original discussion focused mainly on improving the plantings and a possible makeover to the concrete.

I began with a plan that included a new layout for the patio and paths. We were able to create larger planting spaces by swing the path left to right as instead of laying it down the middle of the space. Drainage improvements was provided by C-Green and the Pavestone patio was installed by Precision Pavers in Plano.

The plant material is mostly of Asian origin. Shrubs like Gold Dust Aucuba, Cast Iron Plant, Gold Mound Spirea, Pittosporum, and Chinese Fringe Loropetalum were used. Weeping Yaupon Holly, Savannah Holly, and Red Japanese Maple were used for the vertical elements.

The homeowners were very pleased and had this to say: "We love our backyard as you did a great job! Hopefully, we can have you come back within the next couple of years to update our front yard. Every night I just want to sit out back and enjoy all of the new plants! Can't wait to see it with the new lighting you are going to do! Thank you for doing such a great job!"

Sincerely,
Pam

Front yard corner lot

This Plano residence was in need of a front facelift. A few established ornamental tree forms would be saved, but everything else needed to be renovated. The homeowner had some existing Oklahoma tumbled stone that would be used to border the new bedlines.

The new bed lines helped to capture the Red Oak on the right side of the front door. Behind the tree is a slab flagstone shortcut path with a place for a bench. The color bed on the left side of the doorway was brought out to take advantage of the sun and it also provides some visual weight to the short side of the home.