Front yard before

I am proud to say that a few weeks ago, I won an award from the Ohio Landscapers Assocation for my design of a xeriscape in Cleveland Heights. I also won an award for this design from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers last year.

This two family house formerly was rough lawn in the front and

Back yard before

a junk yard in the back. It has been transformed into a landscape of drought tolerant plants that have never needed irrigation after the first year. The soil was amended so that it would drain well, an absolute requirement for xeriscapes to prevent root rot. This landscape of ornamental grasses, perennials, shrubs, and trees sets the standard on a street that has mostly pedestrian and boring front yards.

Front yard Spring color: Forsythia suspensa, Spiraea 'Goldmound' and 'Goldflame', Sedum 'Angelina'- April 16, 2012

This landscape is interesting and colorful for all twelve months of the year. Although the predominant colors in Spring are yellow and orange, purple will enter the picture in midsummer. Maintenance is relatively low, basically periodic weeding plus spring and fall cleanup.

Spring color in the back yard: Heuchera 'Southern Comfort', Sedum 'Angelina', Viburnum standard

 

 

Although this property is very sunny, it is possible to design xeriscapes for shady sites. As a matter of fact, I have one that will be installed the week of April 23rd in Lyndhurst. Because of the difference in light, very few plants will be duplicated but the landscape will again be interesting and colorful all year.