Since a landscaping overhaul has been on my mind lately, I have been taking pictures of yards I find captivating. Today I’m sharing some summer landscaping ideas from other places.
I have been taking pictures of some desert landscaping (which is what I need) and high-country landscaping (which I what I love to look at).
These are some of the considerations when considering layout, climate and weather conditions and the desire to spend time working at it.
Many find peace and respite working in their gardens. While I love some freshly harvested lettuce and I love sitting on my patio every day, Iām a very haphazard (is that the right word?) gardener. And I am not to be relied upon for keeping things alive and pretty.
When annuals lose their gloss, I try to save them as long as possible. Then I spend time looking at ugly pots. Which I hate.
That is one thing Iām avoiding from here on out.
But! There are gardens that are so charming and I appreciate them so much. Here are a few.
Mountains
When we visited Jeff and Sue at Lake Arrowhead earlier this summer, I was captivated by their green thumbs. The high altitude means that some winters are severe and some summers are dry.
Regardless, from their front porch to a small side patio, every part of their yard has a green, growing, delightful surprise.
Hydrangeas, geraniums and columbines flourish in their yard. Pots with tomatoes and corn and herbs are stuck in nooks and crannies. Strawberries climb from every little crack.
This makes for gorgeous, natural landscaping. I honestly donāt know how they do it.
Not in their yard, but in several others, artists have turned downed trees into cute art. I saw a lot of bear families. We also see them in the mountain communities near Sedona.
High Desert
Sedona is considered a high desert. With an altitude of 4,000 they can get snow, but they can get really hot too.
Most folks use desert landscaping, but the resort in Sedona where we stayed recently, was on a creek with a pond with plenty of water.
Endless grass with trees (a weeping willow!) and a gazebo were like a Kodak moment. Remember Kodak?
Nearby wineries grow their vines near natural creeks and springs as well. It is so surprising to be in the middle of desert landscaping and come across a vineyard.
Mediterranean
Jeffās sister has a home in Redlands, California situated between the mountains of his home and Palm Springs. The climate there is considered Mediterranean and it seems as if gardens do very well there.
Jeff is a very talented craftsman and not only designed her yard, he also installed most of it.
The absolutely cutest thing is a rock garden near the patio which is actually a mine operated by bugs. We visited during the day, but at night the rocks light up and it is a sight to behold.
Iām not going to do the story justice, and maybe at some point Jeff will send me additional pictures and the actual story. But there are worker ants, a fearless sheriff and an evil scorpion.
The rest of the yard is just as pretty with a lovely, restful patio.
Wrap Up
Whatās missing? Oh yeah, desert landscaping! This post is long and I have a lot of pictures to share of what I like around here, so Iāll post another time.
I did put a picture of the 18th hole of Persimmon golf club near our home.Ā I have no idea the money or resources it takes to keep that going, but it is really pretty.
The club is in the process of over-seeding right now so much of the current grass is dying off. In a couple months it will be green again.
Care to share any landscaping success youāve had?
Have a wonderful week ahead.