Garden with Lawn Edging and Gravel Ideas and Designs
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Exterior Worlds Landscaping & DesignThe problem this Memorial-Houston homeowner faced was that her sumptuous contemporary home, an austere series of interconnected cubes of various sizes constructed from white stucco, black steel and glass, did not have the proper landscaping frame. It was out of scale. Imagine Robert Motherwell's "Black on White" painting without the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston's generous expanse of white walls surrounding it. It would still be magnificent but somehow...off.
Intuitively, the homeowner realized this issue and started interviewing landscape designers. After talking to about 15 different designers, she finally went with one, only to be disappointed with the results. From the across-the-street neighbor, she was then introduced to Exterior Worlds and she hired us to correct the newly-created problems and more fully realize her hopes for the grounds. "It's not unusual for us to come in and deal with a mess. Sometimes a homeowner gets overwhelmed with managing everything. Other times it is like this project where the design misses the mark. Regardless, it is really important to listen for what a prospect or client means and not just what they say," says Jeff Halper, owner of Exterior Worlds.
Since the sheer size of the house is so dominating, Exterior Worlds' overall job was to bring the garden up to scale to match the house. Likewise, it was important to stretch the house into the landscape, thereby softening some of its severity. The concept we devised entailed creating an interplay between the landscape and the house by astute placement of the black-and-white colors of the house into the yard using different materials and textures. Strategic plantings of greenery increased the interest, density, height and function of the design.
First we installed a pathway of crushed white marble around the perimeter of the house, the white of the path in homage to the house’s white facade. At various intervals, 3/8-inch steel-plated metal strips, painted black to echo the bones of the house, were embedded and crisscrossed in the pathway to turn it into a loose maze.
Along this metal bunting, we planted succulents whose other-worldly shapes and mild coloration juxtaposed nicely against the hard-edged steel. These plantings included Gulf Coast muhly, a native grass that produces a pink-purple plume when it blooms in the fall. A side benefit to the use of these plants is that they are low maintenance and hardy in Houston’s summertime heat.
Next we brought in trees for scale. Without them, the impressive architecture becomes imposing. We placed them along the front at either corner of the house. For the left side, we found a multi-trunk live oak in a field, transported it to the property and placed it in a custom-made square of the crushed marble at a slight distance from the house. On the right side where the house makes a 90-degree alcove, we planted a mature mesquite tree.
To finish off the front entry, we fashioned the black steel into large squares and planted grass to create islands of green, or giant lawn stepping pads. We echoed this look in the back off the master suite by turning concrete pads of black-stained concrete into stepping pads.
We kept the foundational plantings of Japanese yews which add green, earthy mass, something the stark architecture needs for further balance. We contoured Japanese boxwoods into small spheres to enhance the play between shapes and textures.
In the large, white planters at the front entrance, we repeated the plantings of succulents and Gulf Coast muhly to reinforce symmetry. Then we built an additional planter in the back out of the black metal, filled it with the crushed white marble and planted a Texas vitex, another hardy choice that adds a touch of color with its purple blooms.
To finish off the landscaping, we needed to address the ravine behind the house. We built a retaining wall to contain erosion. Aesthetically, we crafted it so that the wall has a sharp upper edge, a modern motif right where the landscape meets the land.
Lonestar LandscapeThis customer wanted a pathway that could be used with no upkeep and no tripping hazards.
Native Edge LandscapeIntelligently Mixing Hardscapes
A blend of small blackstar gravel, large, chunky blackstar gravel, and turf come together with a definitive border of metal edge, adding contrast and visual interest in the hardscape. The smaller blackstar gravel area acts as a wonderful overflow parking area, and the size of the gravel allows for effective mulching and spread of these new plantings. Beneath the gravel, honeycomb NDS gravel pavers add stability to the space and discourage gravel shifting and wash-out.
Greenbee Landscape, Inc.These are some of our design and build landscapes with sustainable, eco-friendly design practices in mind. Many of these were Cash for Grass rebate customers or Waterwise Conversion programs where money was awarded through local water districts and agencies.
Twisted Rock Terrascape & Design, Inc.Our client contracted us to design and build a functional and interesting water front project that had to be family friendly!! They wanted a cozy fire pit area that also contained a 3 piece natural rock bubbler. They also wanted a spa area with lounger space for sunbathing as well as a beach area for sandcastles and beach toy storage. No expense was spared with a custom pergola, natural rock retaining and steps as well as landscape lighting and well placed trees and shrubs. Concrete edge and aggregate beds make for a low maintenance dream yard!!
FormLA LandscapingThis IdealMow lawn of native Carex pansa is ready for play! Mown, as it is here, it looks like a traditional lawn. Left to grow, it will form undulating waves of green.
Big Rock LandscapingA complete view of this stunning front yard gives the full scope of the space- the lawn, shrubs, retaining walls, gravel, and pavers. This home is a prime example of the benefit of hiring a landscape design and installation team can do for a space.
（有）クボタ住建2013年にお引渡ししたN様邸。当時お庭はまだ少しの樹木が植えられていて中央のミモザは小さな鉢から移植したばかりでした。7年後の今こうして施主様が丹精込めたお庭が出来上がりました。無垢の木の家は完成した時が頂点ではない。それはお庭にも通じます。
Twisted Rock Terrascape & Design, Inc.Another great project that incorporated many different aspects of landscaping. Intricate grading in relation to the property and surrounding areas, natural rock slaps and boulders, concrete borders, patios, fire pits, pergola, massive slab steps, retaining walls and great plantings!!! A great pleasure to design and build projects like these!!
Garden with Lawn Edging and Gravel Ideas and Designs
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