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A Few of Our Gardens...
Harvard Street.2021
Afternoon light catches the seed heads on the giant sacaton grass.
The homeowner wanted to remove all existing turf in the front yard and convert to a xeric garden. Goals were low maintenance, reduction in water use, and an inviting front entry to the home.
Taking up the grass...
Using the removed sod to construct berms.
Cutting in the pathways, setting in boulders, and shaping the earth.
Staging the sandstone.
Constructing the crevice garden.
A small finished crevice garden, pre-planting, adds an architectural and sculptural element to the front entry.
40+ species of plants were brought in representing a variety of native and well adapted grasses, perennials, ground covers, shrubs, and trees.
Morning light catches the 'Color Guard' yucca.
The garden begins to take shape as the plants settle in and the boulders hold their place.
Evergreens add a structural component as well as color and texture in the winter.
The existing sprinkler system was retrofitted and converted to include taller heads and more efficient nozzles. A drip system was installed as well.
The crevice garden after planting.
1 month after planting
The first winter after installation.
A variety of colors and textures helps to soften stones and gravel.
Crevice garden and dwarf spruce contrast near the entry to the home.
A winter's day view from the front.
Breeze pathways are often the most economical and one of the most sustainable types offered.
A view from the front.
Torrington Court.2019
Agastache, Rudbeckia, and blue spruce add pops of color to this back yard pollinator garden.
The homeowners had an under-utilized space in the back yard that they wished to convert. Goals were to reduce turf space, cut back on water use, and to create pollinator habitat.
We started by removing the unwanted sod and clearing the area.
Berms were constructed and moss rock boulders were brought in as accents.
To complement existing hardscape features, Colorado red flagstone was used for the path.
Pathway finished, earth graded, and select conifers and shrubs planted.
The finished flagstone path and plants beginning to bloom.
Black-eyed-susan's are a great low water, native prairie plant.
Western Sky.2020
Enjoying a libation in the newly installed back yard.
The house was a new build with a blank slate back yard. Goals were to have a turf area for dogs and games, a small flagstone patio for a fire pit, and low maintenance border gardens.
Trenching in the sprinkler and irrigation systems.
Native hop-tree is a low water small tree with great form.
Fast growing large shrubs were brought in to create instant screening from the neighbors.
Ground covers planted in-between the Pennsylvania blue flagstone.
A hammock or fire pit area.
1 month after installation.
"Enviroturf" is a low water turf blend that performs well on less water than traditional bluegrass.
Blues, purples, and pinks mingle to create a fun color palate.
Shrubs and perennials begin to grow in.
Another beautiful back yard created by Blue Spruce Horticulture.
Boxwood Drive.2021
Buff flagstone and green grass contrast to create balance.
The back yard bordered an open space that was being restored. The homeowners chose not to have a fence and instead, to have their back yard both be a reflection of and open up to the native prairie surrounding it.
Some grading challenges were associated with this new-build back yard that had to be incorporated into the plan.
A sandstone boulder wall helped to create a sense of enclosure in absence of the fence.
Base down, and flagstone beginning to be laid for the patio.
The large trees and shrubs were planted early to help them establish.
"Nature's prairie" a drought tolerant sod blend from a local supplier was laid after tilling in soil amendments.
Tough native prairie plants were utilized throughout, and especially bordering the open space to help transition.
A flagstone step-up was added to help with grading challenges.
A Penstemon mexicali hybrid grows among the rocks.
Dwarf blue spruce and plumbago add beautiful bursts of color to the landscape.
