Submitted by Environmental Designs, this plan leaves as small a footprint as possible and does not disturb much of the natural surroundings. “Every garden begins with a dream and each of our landscapes is unique and different,” says owner Shawn Ryan. “In this case, the natural landscape that was there originally dictated what our design looks like.” Everything in this plan is xeric and water-conscious using plant materials hand-picked for the project. environmentaldesigns.net. Natural Dream Home Introduction Overview Rooms Landscaping Green Money Floorplans Video Sponsors Resources

adding interest Hardy perennials (for color), mixed with low-water Austrian and bristlecone pines add interest to the driveway and the front entrance of the home. a pop of color Pockets of perennials add color, as do drought-resistant Prairie Fire Crabapple trees that are pink in spring and brilliant red in fall. motion & sound Aspen trees are always in motion. Their leaves quake, making the sound of running water. The aspens’ white-barked trunks stand out against the brown of the home’s Cultured Logstm exterior. wildflowers A field of low-grow grasses is dappled with a blend of Rocky Mountain wildflowers—shasta daisy, cornflower, blue flax and sweet william. a little grass Every yard needs some green grass for children to play on and for grown-ups to step out on in their bare feet. Kentucky bluegrass is a favorite and takes no more water than drought-resistant varieties. a grand entrance Framing the driveway and a gate made of native stone, chanticleer pear trees provide a splash of vibrant fall color.

Low Water, High Impact

This landscape plan was submitted by Marpa Landscape Design. “The house is in the center of the space; the yard is like a garland around it,” says Martin Mosko of Marpa. “I wanted to bring magic into the landscape while creating an adequate amount of functional space and play space to balance the energy of the house.” marpa.com.

up the drive On the left, native scrub oaks are preserved. Three-leaf sumac, red coral berry and white snow berry are added for color and texture. On the right are clusters of wild rose bushes.

the heart of the garden Near the main entrance, the colors become more intense—red grasses and dozens of wild rose bushes, some with brilliant burgundy and crimson leaves for a dramatic display in fall as well as summer.

play space The 65-foot patio is shaped to accommodate large social gatherings. The spa, fountain and infinity-edge lap pool are solar powered.

inspiration “I took my inspiration for the landscape from the material of the house,” says Martin. Cultured Logstm are specified for all the retaining walls. The low, rolling hills are held in place by shaped logs of varying heights, interspersed with boulders which help integrate the man-made with the natural.

all-season color The garden has a heavy emphasis on evergreens and hawthorne, uses little water and is designed to look good in all seasons, with something blooming from spring to fall. In the winter, rose hips and berries attract the birds.

outdoor living The backyard has a large patio and an outdoor kitchen but also includes a solar-powered lap pool with an infinity edge and a spa tub. Both are shielded from the driveway by tall plantings and strategically placed boulders. fire and water At the edge of the patio is a solar-powered fountain with a reflective pool on the top. “From the balcony, it looks like a shallow pool, reflecting the sky,” says Martin. From the patio, the seven-foot waterfall is viewed through fire from a colored-glass (recycled) fire pit at the base of the fountain. xeric plantings The soft curves of the hills are highlighted by ornamental grasses, shrub roses, cotoneaster and mountain mahogany for shape; phlox, asters and columbines for meadow color.

the centerpiece A sea of red and yellow Japanese blood grasses sets off a sculpture created from two hollowed logs, 17-feet high and gilded on the insides. front & center “As the visitor rounds the drive and comes up to the front door, the landscape grows more colorful with bright red bud and serviceberry trees, one on either side of the porte cochere,” says Martin. Wild roses abound. along the way The garden can be enjoyed all along the long, curving drive up to the front door. The front garden maintains the natural rhythm of the back but incorporates more structure, more formality and more color. Shades of red—from scarlet to deep wine—in the flowering plants give energy to the garden. a bit of drama In the meadows surrounding the house, low-water ornamental grasses outline the boulders, giving the landscape some drama while blurring the lines between nature and the man-made.