Modern Landscaping
About this time last year I made a goal to completely plan out a modern landscape design for our backyard, with the intent of implementing it in the Spring. I read a few books, looked at a lot of websites, and did a few doodles. But, then the weather turned warm and I got distracted. Now it’s a year later and I would really like to revisit this goal of designing a modern landscape for our little plot-o-land, so that when Spring rolls around again I’ll be ready to take action! I’ve found some great inspiration on this Flickr group called, what else, Modern Landscaping.
Can anyone else suggest some awesome sources of inspiration? Have you been in this boat before? What tips and advice do you have for those of us who want to tackle a landscaping project? Your thoughts and stories are welcomed with open arms!
Images from, left to right, Marty52, modular.garden, and rolu dsgn.
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16 Responses to “Modern Landscaping”
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Great inspiration Capree! We are wanting to do a lot of landscaping at our house too this year, although the bathroom remodel may take precedence.
Go to the Salvation Army, church rummage sales, whatever (even Amazon used books) and get some copies of the old Sunset series home improvement guides (’60s or ’70s era). They have some absolutely killer ones dealing with outdoor landscaping and patio design. My wife and I always scoop up old Sunset guides (when they turn up) for mid-century era design ideas.
I came here to say exactly what Michigan Mod just said. Those old Sunset publications are GREAT inspiration.
I’m like you had design in mind but never got my lazy butt to build last year. Looks like I’ll be on the same schedule as you this year! I’ll be sure to check back if I come across anything. I especially interested in coming up with a cheaper alternative material other than ipe for deck & fence (don’t really like the feel of composites) – anyone?
I feel that “modern” landscaping should be “looks like it belongs here” landscaping. For instance, if you live in, say, Utah, ditch the manicured beds of petunias (that all your neighbors have too) and go with some native flowers, sages and grasses. Instead of the standard-issue turf-filled parking strip, I filled this space with interesting (and drought tolerant) plants that better reflect our western geography. Ditch the ocean of water-sucking turf and plant interesting xeric ground cover instead. Save water and compliment your surroundings better: it’s a win-win.
I also did a stepping stone walking path around the side of the house, filling the gaps with pink chintz thyme and bordering it with native grasses. I love it.
Too many people think xeriscaping is filling your yard with rocks and cacti. Not true at all.
I plan on following this same approach to landscaping when we build our new house.
A local nursery should be able to provide you with some excellent advice.
MichiganMod and April – that is such a great idea! I hadn’t even thought of that. I will definitely keep my eye out for some old Sunsets! If only someone had an online catalog of all those old issues..
Chris – I definitely agree with you on using native plants and xeriscaping. When I was researching and planning last year, I focused my efforts on just that. While I agree that xeriscaping is definitely more than gravel and cacti, I still find that form quite beautiful. I am from Arizona, after all!
One local source of information is the Conservation Garden Park at Jordan Valley. The gardens all demonstrate waterwise landscaping ideal for Utah. Plus, they offer free classes. I have not had the chance to go there yet, but am definitely planning on it this time around.
Does anyone else have tips or ideas for sources for planning and designing a modern landscape?
Here’s a preview (way overpriced – I find these books for a buck at the local Value World – but it has some great preview pics).
http://www.populuxebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=261
Whoops… forgot to mention, click NEXT (top of the page on the above link) for some more Sunset editions (and great preview pics). MM
Capree, I think some people mistake xeriscaping with zeroscaping, which is the term generally used to mean little or no vegetation at all. Which is why they have such a negative perception of it.
Definitely check out the conservation garden in West Jordan.
You might also want to visit the Utah Botanical Center in Kaysville, as well as the adjacent Utah House (an excellent demo of green building techniques).
http://utahbotanicalcenter.org/
OK I will play
http://plastolux.com/category/modern-landscaping
Plastolux – I first found your website about a year ago when I was searching for inspiration! You have really great content. I always love the landscaping posts – excellent, excellent!
Chris – I will definitely check out the Utah Botanical Center. Thanks for the info!
MM – Thanks for the link! Just seeing the photos on that site makes me want to go hunt down all the old Sunset issues I can find! I’m really digging the paving/stepping stones in this one.
This is great! Keep it coming!
That’s my favorite too! I would love a teardrop shaped huge patio like that…
Capree, I’ve been able to get several of those old Sunset books on eBay for much, much less than they are selling them at populux books. Though checking out their selection would probably give you a good idea of what to start looking for on eBay or used book stores or DI or wherever.
We bought an Eichler in CA a few years back and found ourselves in a similar situation… how to make the landscaping “fit” with the rest of the house. With inspiration from Sunset and a few other sources, we finally updated our yard. The design elements we focused on were concrete, water and fire… and accented with simple plants. You can see the before/after shots here: http://web.mac.com/costa/Costa_Family/House/Pages/Landscaping.html
Also – if you are in need of a hot tub to complete the look, we HIGHLY recommend the Dutch Tub… you can see pictures of that here:
http://gallery.mac.com/costa#100291&bgcolor=black&view=grid
Pam – Wow, I saw a few of these photos on the Eichler website last May and was totally impressed! It’s great to see before and after photos – and from the actual owners! I love what you’ve done and think your theme of concrete, water, and fire is brilliant! The firewood wall is probably the coolest thing I’ve seen.
Pam, any more info on the materials and process on building the small walls, they look killer!
Tyler