The Hot Trend of Arid Landscapes In Southern California, there is a growing need and desire to create landscapes that work with the climate, rather than against.  As enthusiasm for lush green (and thirsty) lawns with neat hedges and flowering shrubs begins to fade, homeowners who want to take their water-wise landscape to the next [...]
Living Large - Outdoor design for small spaces Like anything, small yards come with myriad pros and cons. While there’s generally less to keep after, they can feel limiting in the kinds of landscape and gardens that are possible.  Fortunately, however, in Southern California, knowledgeable and talented landscape professionals can turn any lilliputian [...]
Current Trends in Landscape Design Though so many landscape styles are inspired by bygone eras, particularly as they relate to the architecture of the associated home or building, there are always contemporary trends that designers must keep an eye out for. The best way to find out is to listen carefully to what [...]
Five Basics of Scandinavian Landscape Design There is something intriguing about an outdoor style that is so celebrated when it can only be enjoyed a couple months out of the year. Â The region of Scandinavia refers to the kingdoms of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, situated in Northern Europe, with parts extending into the [...]
Unique and Unexpected Landscape Design Styles Plants are just plants...or are they? It might be surprising to learn that landscapes can be designed in a variety of styles, not unlike architecture, clothing, or even art. Of course everyone has heard of the English cottage garden, which conjures images of small outdoor spaces overflowing [...]
Have you ever heard of food forests? Faced with the health crisis of recent months, many have questioned the usefulness of using nature, and forests in particular, for food. At a time when the health and social crises have been affecting the most vulnerable populations, suggesting the development of food forests for the whole [...]
French drain installation and purpose: What it does and when to use one Before delving into a description of French drains, it’s important to first make the distinction with trench drains as the two are often confused. A trench drain is a long, pre-fabricated channel with a grate on its top side that collects water, [...]
Drainage solutions for Santa Barbara soil types Water is a vital component to the health and vitality of our landscapes. Yet, it is certainly possible to have too much of a good thing. When yards don’t drain properly, plants become waterlogged and mold can grow. Just by looking at our property we can see how [...]
Drainage systems for the Santa Barbara landscape There is perhaps nothing more prohibitive to spending time outside than a lawn that is squishy and wet. Hard to walk on and not fun to play in, a poorly drained backyard can be incredibly frustrating for the homeowner who enjoys being outdoors. Plants, too, suffer from too [...]
Maintaining Rose Gardens in Santa Barbara Traditional landscaping is captured in the Santa Barbara rose garden Quintessential and classic, the formal rose garden is a must-have for historic preservation gardens and lovers of the time-honored landscape. Their long bloom period, fragrance, vibrant colors in a wide variety, and the antique nature that provides a throwback [...]
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