Poolside Enclave: Transforming a Concrete Yard into a Forest Glen

San Fernando Valley, CA. A swimming pool can dominate a small backyard, but designer Lynn Scott-Smith knew exactly what to do in this Valley Glen property: remove the surrounding concrete and plant an enchanted forest gl

Espaliered Apple Orchard: A Mini Fruit Garden Against a Wall

In a Eugene, Oregon backyard, a 7-foot-tall stucco wall hides an alley view. At its base, a soil-filled planter holds two espaliered apple trees plus colorful flowers. A ledge along the planter provides extra seating for

Hank Jenkins: Plant Architect and Outdoor Lifestyle Designer

Lushland Design, Exterior DesignerBerkeley, California Hank Jenkins of Lushland Design is a landscape designer and stylist bringing a fresh perspective to the garden lifestyle. With a degree in landscape architecture and

Container Vegetable Gardening: Grow a Bountiful Harvest in Pots

A few large pots in a sunny corner of a deck or patio can yield a steady stream of vegetables from spring through fall. From carrots to zucchini, a surprisingly wide variety thrives in containers (though large, space-con

Designing a Patio That Connects You to the Garden

Patio vs. Deck Decks separate you with rails; patios integrate you with the landscape. A patio off a greenhouse facing the vegetable garden lets you watch daily growth. How to Plan a Patio Choose site carefully—facing

A Custom Gardening Room: Organized Storage for Green Thumbs

When Calvin and Patty Luce bought a home in Gig Harbor, Washington, in 1998, they decided a dedicated gardening room was essential. For about $2,000, Calvin converted an unfinished storage space into a highly organized w

Spring Bloom: Penstemons Create a Desert Wash Effect

At the Paradise Valley, Arizona, home of Daniel and Lisa DellOsso, a planting mimics a natural desert wash. At peak spring bloom, pink penstemon (P. parryi and P. pseudospectabilis) and red firecracker penstemon (P. eato

Graphic Design Principles Enlarge a Small Garden

Modest gardens can feel larger when clutter is eliminated, materials are limited, and details are highlighted. Thats especially important for a contemporary house on a small lot, like Norman Adamss home in Palo Altos Gre

Creating a Tropical Porch Retreat in Suburban California

At dawn on weekdays, Davis Dalbok tends his garden, then enjoys breakfast in the tropics before commuting to his city office. His tropical escape is a remodeled front porch in Fairfax, California, that evokes Bali or Haw

Backyard Transformation: From Empty Yard to Outdoor Living Room

BEFORE. A nondescript rear yard with no place to sit or entertain. AFTER. A tiled patio, textured garage wall, and grape arbor create a welcoming outdoor room for dining and relaxing. The patio spans the width of the hou

Transforming a Front Yard into a View-Focused Outdoor Living Space

A spectacular view goes to waste without an inviting outdoor space to enjoy it. When Barry Schenker and Diana Rebman moved into their new Berkeley home, the front yard offered a stunning panorama of the San Francisco sky

The Versatile Beauty of Gravel in Landscape Design

Why Gravel? Durable yet soft, transitional, versatile, flexible, affordable, excellent drainage, sensuous texture and sound. Three Design Approaches Blur boundaries: Let plants spill onto gravel (e.g., Tom Thumb cotone

Succulent and Grass Garden Transforms Santa Monica Front Yard

Designer Nicole Lopez turned a drab front yard into a horticultural wonder with succulents, grasses, agaves, bush anemones, cycads, and New Zealand flax. Flagstone steppingstones, recycled concrete patio with a pond. Low

Maximizing a Tiny Backyard: Three Distinct Outdoor Rooms in 640 Square Feet

Landscape architect Pamela Palmer: decide where youll spend time (morning coffee, cocktail hour, play). In a 20x32 ft Venice, CA yard, she fit a concrete deck, a lower concrete pad (play by day, dining by night), and a l

Two Tranquil Garden Nooks Expand Living Space in Capitola, California

Cindy Jo Rose created two sanctuaries: one with bamboo trellises, rattan furniture, water bowl, and art; another with a fountain focal point, gravel/marble/beach rock paving, paper umbrellas, and a bench. Designer Lynn R

Horizontal Mesh Netting Supports Tall Cut Flowers in Garden Beds

6-inch plastic mesh netting installed horizontally over seedlings supports floppy cut flowers: Blue Boy bachelors button, carnations, delphiniums, dianthus, lilies, scabiosa, tall calendulas. The netting is supported by

Cottage-Style Perennial Garden Thrives in High-Altitude Idaho

In Hailey, Idaho (near Sun Valley), Sally and Russ Horn plant perennials in autumn, protected by reliable snow cover (Dec–Apr). Their July garden shimmers with Shasta daisies, delphiniums, clematis, foxgloves, and veroni

Rock Garden with Recirculating Stream in Vail, Colorado

A recirculating stream (from a well) flows down an engineered streambed on a 40° slope. Designer Derek Nause chose low-growing, deer-resistant perennials: Dianthus First Love, irises, woolly thyme, catmint, and a contain

Share Your First Garden Story with Sunset Magazine

Sunset Magazine invites first-time gardeners who installed or renovated their own gardens to submit stories: what the yard was like before, goals, process, challenges, lessons, and photos. Send to Sunset Garden Departmen

Creating a Private Urban Sanctuary in a Small Oakland Backyard

Designers Mathew Henning, Heather Anderson, and Rose Keane used greenery on walls and timber bamboo to screen a four-story apartment building. A tiled water feature, stained concrete patio, raised beds from salvaged mate