For Dr. Mark Akin, his pond and garden are more than a way to work up a sweat on the weekends. It’s a place of solace and renewal after on-call hours with his wife Debi and their family and friends.
Kati and David Timmons didn’t have a grand scheme when they tackled their typical older tract lot. Their garden’s personality, and its raised beds front and back, emerged one plant, one shared shovel, and one rock at a time.
See how Jeff Pavlat and Ray Clayton turned a treacherous slope into limestone terraces, patios and staircases. To plant them, Jeff wanted deer resistant plants that needed little water and care. Through the Austin Cactus & Succulent Society, he found a passion for succulents and cacti, including Southwestern natives and specimens from around the world. For design impact, he clusters groups of plants against central standouts in each bed, alternating strong textures with softer plants. Jeff designed an upper story patio to feature aloes and a millstone fountain in a Japanese-inspired setting. In a greenhouse, he tends less cold hardy specimens. They tamed a water-collecting slope at the front door with a pond.
In a small space and equally small budget, Travis County Master Gardener Link Davidson and neighbor Wendy Brennan recycled materials to enclose her new soothing, low-care garden. Get Link’s tips to eradicate rampaging bamboo in favor of diverse wildlife plants.
In Smithville, Mitzi VanSant framed her 1920′s Arts and Crafts bungalow with fragrant, heirloom plants, vegetable gardens, and a secret garden to create special memories for her grandchildren. Antique roses cover rose arbors to frame formal pathways.
When Michael McNichol built his Austin home and garden for wife Stacy and their son, he pulled from his bank account of innovation, hard work, and sensitivity to resources rather than a ton of money.
Head to a romantic tropical getaway with Barbara and David Hale’s vision for their basic backyard. Also, see how they used mosaics to dress up standard garden pots and benches, and to design a water-themed front walkway
Front and back in this San Antonio garden, Dons merged his passion for plants with impressions from world travels. On their treehouse deck in front, experience Japan and its soft segue into the equally sculptural intrigue of the Southwest. Especially significant is their dedication to beloved family members through stones of remembrance. Travel to the back for another haven, fragrant with orchids. Along the way, share Dons philosophy behind his DIY design.
With Mr Greenfingers mr-greenfingers.co.uk you will get the right design for you and the right plants in the right place… at a reasonable price. Landcape garden designer Martin Stephens is a University trained designer and a very experienced gardener. Call Martin on 01924 851 536 for a Free no obligation survey and design. Landscape Design Decking Fencing Garden Makeover Garden Design Lawn Seeding Turfing Pruning Grass Cutting General Maintenance