Patio provides place to unwind
Private residence, Trumbull, Connecticut
Landscaping by Land Designs Unlimited, Trumbull, Connecticut
The homeowners wanted a relaxing place to unwind after a busy day. Granite curbing (7 inches thick and 15 inches deep) was placed around the patio and had to be cut into five pieces to make the radius at the corners of the patio. The landscaper worked with a carpenter to install French doors leading from the house onto the patio, and a mason assisted with the installation of bluestone steps with fieldstone risers. Low-voltage lighting was added for atmosphere and easy access at night. Price withheld by customer request.
Backyard landscaping company
Private residence, Mt. Sinai, New York
Landscaping by homeowner, president of Aqua FX by Island Land Care, Mt. Sinai, New York
Jeffrey Ingrassia, president of Aqua FX, decided against owning a storefront for his landscaping business and installed examples of his work in his back yard to help his customers visualize how their transformation will look at completion. Included ideas are: a multipurpose game court, putting green, outdoor barbecue and cave waterfall. The waterfall is illuminated by fiber optic lighting and fog accents. Price withheld by customer request.
A graceful and welcoming entryway
Private residence, New Milford, Connecticut
Landscaping designed and installed by Designing Eden, New Milford, Connecticut
This home was built on old pasture land, and the owners asked Designing Eden to create an aesthetically pleasing entry to the front door, while softening the architecture and creating multi-seasonal interest all while incorporating natural boulders. The landscape company created a 5-foot-wide walkway to the front door and installed mass plantings of spring and summer flowering perennials and shrubs. Miscanthus, Hakonechloa, Heptacodium, Stewartia and Viburnum numdum add texture, color and interest to the fall and winter gardens. Price: $22,000
Terrace transformation
Private residence, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Landscaping designed and installed by Fertile Ground Landscape Company, Reidville, South Carolina
After a builder-installed retaining wall failed, Tim McNamara was contacted to transform a poorly designed, sloped back yard into a family oasis, complete with a low-maintenance planting and water feature. Now, a pondless waterfall enhances the appearance of the difficult-to-maintain slope and 400-pound, guillotine-cut Tennessee sandstone steppers lead strollers to the circular concrete paver patio. A decorative bench with integrated lighting completes a living space that can be enjoyed day or night. Price: $25,000
Pond caps off tropical-themed backyard retreat
Private residence, Lake Tapps, Washington
Landscaping designed and installed by Waterscapes Northwest, Lake Tapps, Washington
Waterscapes Northwest was charged with creating a tropical retreat for these homeowners to enjoy after a long day at work. The landscapers designed a 14-foot by 16-foot koi pond to add a sense of tranquility to the yard. Adding a 10-foot flowing stream helps carry that theme throughout the back yard. Landscaping was installed around the water feature to complete the look. Price: $8,500
Long-imagined pond springs to life
Private residence, Fairfax, Virginia
Landscaping designed and installed by homeowner, president of Harmony Ponds, Fairfax, Virginia
Albert Short chose his own backyard garden to create the dream pond he had long imagined. Luckily, his garden sloped upward from his house to a tree-lined ridge – providing the perfect terrain and elevation to nestle a waterfall into the landscape. The pond came to life with large, round boulders from the post-glacial hills of Pennsylvania, helping to achieve a naturalistic look. Features include a wooden observation deck cantilevered over the pond and a Japanese stone bridge that appears to float dream-like across the water. Price withheld by customer request.
Trees provide backyard privacy
Private residence, San Jose, California
Landscaping designed and installed by JPM Landscaping, Santa Clara, California
A stucco seat wall, fountain and pergola painted to complement the house exterior provide a backyard retreat for this California customer. JPM Landscaping also came up with a design to provide privacy around the home, including a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees. Trees used include 24-foot box Raywood ash, Flowering Pear and Australian Willow. Interlocking pavers were used for the patio and walkways. Price: $65,000+
High-impact colors with low-maintenance plants
Private residence, Westerly, Rhode Island
Landscaping designed and installed by Sprigs & Twigs Landscapes, Gales Ferry, Connecticut
The owner of this seashore home wanted low-maintenance plantings with brilliant colors throughout the Northeast growing season. Berms and landscape rocks were used to add three-dimensional textures and counteract the yard’s flatness. “First Choice” Blue Mist added brilliant blue hues, “Cardinal Candy” Viburnum brought in vibrant red colors, Cr
