Backyard
Mediterranean. If your garden is very dry, then you might consider taking inspiration from a dry region of the world. Certain plants instantly evoke warm, dry climes — like lavender, thyme, rosemary and other gray-leaved drought-loving plants. Team these with some warm-toned gravel, stone and terra-cotta pots to achieve the kind of Mediterranean look seen here. Many drought-tolerant plants also are high in aromatic oils, so you’ll get the bonus of scent.
This planting bed in San Francisco features rosette-forming Echeveria ‘Perle von Nürnberg’, Breeze mat rush (Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’), silver ‘Big Ears’ lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’) and ‘Elijah Blue’ blue fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’). 4. Choose unfussy plants well-suited to your area. Getting the right plant in the right place may take a bit of effort upfront, but it can be a major time and money saver in the long run. Don’t insist on growing citrus in slow-draining soil or rhododendrons in a dry, windswept area. Likewise, if you don’t have the time for pruning, it’s probably best to skip climbing roses, ficus or wisteria, which can easily get out of hand without proper maintenance. Instead, choose plants that naturally grow in your area or similar climate regions and that need little care to thrive.
This planting bed in San Francisco features rosette-forming Echeveria ‘Perle von Nürnberg’, Breeze mat rush (Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’), silver ‘Big Ears’ lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’) and ‘Elijah Blue’ blue fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’). 4. Choose unfussy plants well-suited to your area. Getting the right plant in the right place may take a bit of effort upfront, but it can be a major time and money saver in the long run. Don’t insist on growing citrus in slow-draining soil or rhododendrons in a dry, windswept area. Likewise, if you don’t have the time for pruning, it’s probably best to skip climbing roses, ficus or wisteria, which can easily get out of hand without proper maintenance. Instead, choose plants that naturally grow in your area or similar climate regions and that need little care to thrive.
Le jardinet SaveEmail 11. Spread mulch on beds. Mulch is one of the best garden maintenance timesavers. It suppresses weed growth, cuts down on water loss, and breaks down to help improve soil texture. Plus, spreading a few bags of wood-chip or bark mulch over planting beds instantly gives your garden a well-maintained look with minimal effort.
LONGWORTH ASSOCIATES LTD SaveEmail 9. Choose perennials for color. Ditch the annual bedding plants that fade after a season and turn to hardy perennials for color year after year. Stalwarts like English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and spurge (Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii) bloom for months and need only an annual trim to keep from getting too woody. Plus, most perennials offer more for pollinators in terms of pollen and nectar than bedding plants bred for color.
. Opt for a simple water feature. As anyone who has mucked out a pond can attest, maintaining large water features can be a lot of work — messy and unpleasant. For the benefits of adding a water element to your landscape without the hassle, choose a simple design that’s easy to clean. For example, consider filling a stone basin with water and watching the birds enjoy a drink, or invest in a simple recirculating fountain for the relaxing sound of water.
6. Go for a modern, minimalist look. Skip fussy, labor-intensive flower beds and opt for easy-care shrubs paired with sleek hardscape. In this contemporary garden in Southern California, the elements of the hardscape are just as diverse and interesting as the plants in the border, and they take little effort to maintain.
PORCH off back of house Not this shape...but perhaps 'fake' wood that's weather resistant (Aztek?) and looks like wood to carry eye out...wood inside floor to wood outside.....the sitting type back bench on the southern most side rather than having the stairs down on that one side.
Barrier to falling is a seating area.
Install an outdoor fireplace. The corner provides an intimate space where you'll feel more closed in and cozy than if you were sitting around a fire pit in the middle of the yard.
You can emphasize this seating area with a pergola. Lanterns or a simple string of white lights overhead will cozy up the space at night.
Add an inviting seating area. An outdoor sectional sofa or corner bench is a good way to mark the edge of an intimate outdoor living room.
Photo of a contemporary patio in Melbourne with an outdoor kitchen. — Houzz The door that serves to enclose and neaten area and as an umbrella for rainy days !!!! Super idea !! — spitoyatta
A perfect addition to your outdoor living is a seating wall surrounding a firepit. Cambridge Maytrx wall, Pyzique Fire Pit, Round table Pavers. Installed by Natural Green Landsacpe & Design in Lincoln, RI
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard patio with a fire feature. — Houzz benches, fire place and square flooring with rock — Kayla Lebron
Put a pergola over the grill. A garden structure like a pergola adds architectural interest to the outdoor kitchen and provides a place to attach sconce lighting. And while you wouldn’t want climbing plants dangling directly over the grill (hello fire hazard!), if your pergola is a safe distance from the heat, you could grow plants over it, giving the area a lush green touch.
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