Traditional

A timeless elegance style with emphasis on the functional use of the outdoor space and balanced, layered garden layout. These designs are ordered and colorful, often adding in features for group gatherings or family use such as fireplaces, vegetables gardens, and kids play areas. Hardscape materials have regular patterns and shapes, but can includes curves and flow through the space. Plant selection is varied, with both evergreen and deciduous plants, focusing on year-round interest and providing structure to the landscape. 

Xeric/ Low-Water

Focus on low-water plants and trees, adaptable to drought conditions and our fluctuating Colorado climate. Plantings beds are colorful and dense, with many textures and colors. Design can be formal or informal, and incorporates native and non-native plants, along with elements such as boulders, rocks, and crushed gravel. Optional hardscape features such as patios, walkways, and river beds give texture and dimension to the landscape. Suggestions for turfgrass replacement are common for xeric designs.

English Cottage

A romantic, bright, cheery space with lots and lots of color! Flowers fill the entire landscape with abundance of colors during the spring and summer. Provides a great habitat and food source for birds & pollinators. Minimal open space. Additional containers with annuals add more dimension and colors, with elements such as arbors, benches and bird baths adding finishing touches. Planters and path materials are natural materials and are curved, not straight lines. (This design can be incorporated into a small area of your yard for a lower-maintenance option)

CO Native/ Pollinator-Friendly

While not a design style by itself, this is often a desired trait for our clients' home landscapes. The focus is on plants that do well with our local climate and soil conditions. Native plants require less water than non-native plants and rarely require additional fertilizer or soil amendments. They are more likely to attractive pollinators, such as birds, butterflies, and bees  and provides winter habitat and protection for a variety of beneficial insects. 

The design style can be either formal, traditional or modern. The focus is on selection of native plants and then these plants can be arranged to suit a specific style by combining height, color, texture, repetition, etc. 

Homeowners can choose either their entire yard or just select garden beds to be CO native or pollinator-friendly. However, they do need to be mixed in with other low water/ xeric plants (native or not) to keep the watering requirements the same. 

Desert/ Southwest

Inspired by the Southwest US like Arizona or New Mexico*, this design focuses on low-water plants that thrive in heat and arid conditions. The layout is more spread-out, but has lots of textures, shapes and bright colors.  Plant selections include cactus,  succulents and flowering shrubs. Design incorporates boulders, rocks, and crushed gravel pathways. Artistic elements include containers and fountains that add color and dimension to the landscape. *Plants will be suitable to Colorado landscapes.

Modern/ Formal 

Emphasis on streamlined, sleek designs with minimalistic plantings. Focus is on repitition of plants with varying texture and size as opposed to large quanitities of plants. Formal, regular shaped walkways and planters help define different areas of the landscape, with geometric shapes. Planting beds are linear and symmetrical, with masses of ornamental grasses and low groundcovers, uniformly planted, softening the hard edges. Ornamental, multi-stemmed trees punctuate the landscape and provide focal points to the overall design. Color palette is primarily green hues, providing variation with plant textures and leaf shapes. Additional features, such as horizontal wood walls or concrete/ steel planters add to the modern aesthetic.

Mediterranean 

A casual, lush garden retreat to create a relaxing escape from a busy life. Plants are chosen with soft, flowing textures and fragrant or edible feature plants. This design leans towards plants from a hot, dry region that have low-water needs, with a limited muted, calm color palette.  Rows of shrubs and tall, narrow trees add a structure and order to the abundant plantings. Incorporates outdoor dining areas, gravel pathways, patio planters and water elements.

Japanese/ Zen

A verdant, lush landscape typical of the Pacific Northwest or Asian gardens*. A variety of evergreen trees & shrubs dominate the design, along with an abundance of soft flowing grasses and ornamental maple trees. Feature plants show off their unique structures, along with other sculptural or artistic elements. Great for shaded, woodland areas. Natural or rustic hardscape features give a sense of place, along with ponds or water features, if desired. *Plants will be suitable to Colorado landscapes.

Naturalistic/ Meadow

A design that brings nature to your backyard, with a very casual, organic planting style. his is not a manicured space, uniformity is not the goal! An abundance of ornamental grasses fill the landscape, and perennials are encouraged to re-seed and fill in the open spaces. Tall flowers provide color and movement in addition to a few open-structure trees and shrubs. Plants are chosen with soft colors, narrow leaves and similar textures.  Great for an informal gathering space or a border where your manicured space blends into open space. Light-toned wood and natural stone provide soft elements to enhance the landscape, with hammocks, string lights and eclectic container plantings providing a curated look.