This thriving full sun, drought tolerant landscape was designed with careful attention to a variety of textures and plant structures for year-round interest. Ornamental grasses punctuate the landscape and provide movement, while flowering perennials and native species mingle to provide food and shelter to insects and birds. A unifying color palette of dusty purples and golds provide serenity and cohesion to the space while pops of red and orange create occasional unexpected accents to liven up the showy summer display.

A street-facing flagstone patio nestled within the planting connects the homeowners to neighbors passing by on the sidewalk, while the incorporation of some taller plant species and a redbud tree provide light screening to the windows of the home.

After an ice storm in January 2024 toppled the mature Jasmine vines in this narrow space, the homeowner cut back her Jasmine and reached out to me to repair and refresh this small piece of her side yard. This secluded, shady piece of the property is not irrigated and was formerly a piece of bare earth (with the exception of the two vines) that served as a storage area for loose pavers and stones by the homeowner.

Reconfiguring the pavers through the space, the inclusion of a variety of foliage textures, and thoughtful consideration to plant combinations have transformed this dry, shady area into a lush and vibrant drought-tolerant garden throughout the year. The Jasmine has recovered from the storm, and now this side yard provides a shady refuge in the heat of summer.