A new circular drive and front walk orientation created a lovely formal lawn to set off this traditional house. In the back yard, the 70’s brown brick pool patios were renovated and the pool re-plastered to give the private area a quiet, classic look, while new plantings soften the hard surfaces.
This family desired a modern upgrade to add some personality to their home. A courtyard was added off the porch for a comfortable spot to relax outdoors. The old walkway was sloped and hazardous. It was replaced with sleek, concrete pads that lead right under a lightweight arbor. The old planting scheme was one-dimensional and without any variety or life. The new selection of plants add depth and texture to the landscape.
For this home situated in the heart of the Park Cities, the owners wanted a quiet private area separated from the busy street. A European-style interior courtyard provides an arbor, a fountain and room to entertain. Tall myrtle hedges and lush plantings buffer the street views from the large front windows.
The planting design for the Katy Trail required low-maintenance, mostly native plants to screen surrounding neighbors and businesses, while remaining open enough for bikers, joggers and walkers to feel safe. In addition to oaks, bald cypress and other large trees for shade, a mix of smaller ornamental trees and shrubs add color through the seasons. Possumhaws provide color and berries for the birds in winter, followed by the fragrant blooms of Mexican plum in the spring and bright yellow golden raintree blossoms in summer. Tall wax myrtle hedges love the old railroad drainage ditch, and Eastern red cedars and Arizona cypresses create screening on the high-and-dry west side. Squint your eyes and you could be on a bike trail in Holland or Germany–the Katy Trail is one of Dallas’ most popular parks, even though it’s only about 30 feet wide!
On half of the Frito-Lay corporate campus in Plano, TX, we used perennials collected from the co-founder’s personal garden to memorialize the founder. For the employee lunch area, a Jens Jensen-style council ring was designed in cooperation with architect Dan Shipley. Native Texas limestone walls and steps cascade down the slopes, intermingled with flowering perennials and shade trees.