Choosing a single flower adds a strong color accent that makes a statement come spring.
Designed byZeterre Landscape Architecture,this gardenin Oakland, California, was created over a 15-year time period.
The low wall was constructed with New Haveli limestone in aqua from Rhodes Architectural Stone.
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Heucheras(coral bells) are compact perennials with roundish leaves that have scalloped edges.
Colors include light and medium green, deep red, orange, and variegated varieties.
Instead of leaving the area below the tree bare,Tim Davies Landscapingbuilt a deck around it.
Finding Lovely
Tip
Building a patio or deck around a tree can be beneficial, according toAustin Tree Experts.
A deck will help reduce soil compaction due to foot traffic around the roots that can stress the tree.
Deciduous flowering plum trees produce stunning floral displays in winter or spring.
White Sands
Some also produce fall color, like deep, smoky purples.
Despite the name, dead nettles are very much alive.
Aloes and other succulents create a natural, beautiful setting.
Design byZeterre Landscape Architecture/ Photo by Stephen Suzman
This multi-branched tree has a massive trunk and performs well in Mediterranean gardens.
Created byEPT Design, a low concrete bench acts as a retaining wall for this tree.
Its rectangular shape is repeated in the long pavers that stretch on a sea of river rocks.
Tim Davies Landscaping
Plants behind the ferns are tropical cannas; to the right are drought-tolerantAgave attenuata.
Designed byCarson Douglas Landscape Architecture, this driveway area was mulched with a native redwood.
Santa Barbara sandstone boulders add textural interest.
Flo’s Gardens
Theolive trees,Olea europaea, are Mediterranean natives that grow well in California and parts of southern Arizona.
They were introduced to mission gardens hundreds of years ago and prized for the oil that the fruit produces.
These slow growers are most attractive when grown in deep, rich soil.
Donna Lynn Landscape Design
Other plants include carex andSedum spectabile’Autumn Joy'.
along with native grasses.
Designed byCarson Douglas Landscape Architecture, the property is in Alpine, California, inland to San Diego.
Succulent Designs LA/ Photo by Michael Romero
Instead of removing the oaks,ODS Architecturecreated a seamless indoor/outdoor experience and added more living space.
Trees are planted in basalt terraces and include Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) andOsmanthus burkwoodii.
TheOsmanthusis pruned and trained into an umbrella form for a neat, manicured look.
Lady Landscape
Soil is amended and rich for the variety of specimens in each bed.
EPT Design/ Photo by Jack Coyier
Design byCarson Douglas Landscape Architecture/ Photo byCarson Joyce Douglas
Carson Douglas Landscape Architecture
Design byHively Landscapes/ Photo by James Theisen
Ohashi Design Studio/ Photo by J. Michael Tucker
John Davies Landscape
Lisa Hallett Taylor
