Author: ilexfarms@gmail.com

See 3 Gardens Beautifully Transformed by Native Plants

Wildflowers, native perennials and grasses dazzle in gardens that celebrate their diverse ecosystems. Native plants all ‘work together’ more easily in terms of maintenance, and the beauty is a given… Enjoy!

Just click the article title below – or click the photo, then the ‘X’ in the upper right corner of the new page, and enjoy!

Small photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ seen below at the bottom right corner of the photo. If you click the photo itself, the large photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ on either side of the photos.

April 20, 2019

Houzz Contributor, Landscape designer, a former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset’s Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.

11 Design Solutions for Sloping Backyards

You can hit the garden slopes running with these bright ideas for terraces, zones, paths and more. Check out the article and photos!

Just click the article title below – or click the photo, then the ‘X’ in the upper right corner of the new page, and enjoy!

Small photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ seen below at the bottom right corner of the photo. If you click the photo itself, the large photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ on either side of the photos.

April 23, 2019

Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights to create in-depth features. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!

How to Choose the Right Plant Container

Keep plants healthy and container gardens looking good by beginning with the right pot size and shape.  In addition, learn, or review, plants best suited for various container depths, and how to mix best with consideration for pH balance, soil moisture, etc.

Just click the article title below – or click the photo, then the ‘X’ in the upper right corner of the new page, and enjoy!

Small photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ seen below at the bottom right corner of the photo. If you click the photo itself, the large photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ on either side of the photos.

March 22, 2019
Houzz Contributor. Landscape designer, a former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset’s Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.

10 Pretty Container Gardens in Pastel Hues

If you like potted plants, hanging or otherwise, here is colorful help to get those perfect displays. Brighten up your porch, entryway or windowsill with potted arrangements in spring colors.

Just click the article title below – or click the photo, then the ‘X’ in the upper right corner of the new page, and enjoy!

Small photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ seen below at the bottom right corner of the photo. If you click the photo itself, the large photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ on either side of the photos.

April 13, 2019
Houzz Contributor. Landscape designer, a former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset’s Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.

Got Allergies? 9 Plants to Avoid, and What to Grow Instead

For those of us allergy sufferers, perhaps we can now breathe easier, at least in our own gardens. Having allergies doesn’t need to mean giving up your garden. Here are some options that will let you garden sneeze-free!

Just click the article title below – or click the photo, then the ‘X’ in the upper right corner of the new page, and enjoy!

Small photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ seen below at the bottom right corner of the photo. If you click the photo itself, the large photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ on either side of the photos.

April 4, 2019
Houzz Contributor. I’m a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects are garden-based, you might also find me writing about home projects and classical music. Away from the computer, I’m found in the garden (naturally), on my bike, or ice-skating outdoors (yes, that is possible in California). I’m also willing to taste-test anything that’s chocolate.

Santa Barbara’s Relaxed Style Inspires a Landscape Makeover

As long as this home was being remodeled, and getting a 300-square-foot addition, these homeowners decided to have a landscape architect redesign the surrounding outdoors. He looked to the Central Coast for a Northern California home’s plant palette, and outdoor kitchen and patio areas. Here is houzz‘ article illustrating the process.

Just click the article title below – or click the photo, then the ‘X’ in the upper right corner of the new page, and enjoy!

Small photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ seen below at the bottom right corner of the photo. If you click the photo itself, the large photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ on either side of the photos.

March 16, 2019
Houzz Editorial Staff

When Should You Prune Your Trees and Shrubs?

As this is a question we are asked so often, we could not pass up this opportunity to post an article on the subject. Pruning can be very different from trimming, and is drastically different than “hacking”. Houzz e-magazine shows how pruning keeps your plants healthy. Find out the best time to cut back flowering trees, needle-bearing shrubs and more. Here we go…

Just click the article title below – or click the photo, then the ‘X’ in the upper right corner of the new page, and enjoy!

Small photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ seen below at the bottom right corner of the photo. If you click the photo itself, the large photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ on either side of the photos.

March 8, 2019

Houzz Contributor. Horticulturist, freelance writer and Certified Arborist who loves living and gardening in the desert Southwest. She loves creating gardens that are beautiful, yet low-maintenance. Vegetable gardening are her newest passion. Her motto is, “Gardening in the desert isn’t hard…it’s just different”.

Where to Invest Your Budget in a Landscape Renovation

has left her expertise showing again, using her own observations and knowledge, and combining it with other landscaping professionals. They weigh in on where to put your money for long-lasting benefits, and cost savings down the line, in a landscape redo.

Just click the article title below – or click the photo, then the ‘X’ in the upper right corner of the new page, and enjoy!

Small photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ seen below at the bottom right corner of the photo. If you click the photo itself, the large photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ on either side of the photos.

February 28, 2019
Houzz Contributor. Landscape designer, a former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset’s Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.

How to De-clutter Your Garden

In this post we can learn practical organization and simple streamlining for our gardens and gardening. We’ll put Marie Kondo’s KonMari Method to work outdoors, and carve out more time to enjoy our yards.

Just click the article title below – or click the photo, then the ‘X’ in the upper right corner of the new page, and enjoy!

Small photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ seen below at the bottom right corner of the photo. If you click the photo itself, the large photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ on either side of the photos.

February 22, 2019

Houzz Contributor. Landscape designer, a former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset’s Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.

9 Design Moves That Give a Flat Yard More Depth or Height

 

This time we have something special from Lauren Dunec Hoang. She shows us how some imagination can totally transform our existing landscapes into enticing and explorable spaces. Sunken patios, stacked beds, berms and other features add interest to outdoor environs.

Just click the article title below – or click the photo, then the ‘X’ in the upper right corner of the new page, and enjoy!

Small photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ seen below at the This time we havebottom right corner of the photo. If you click the photo itself, the large photos can be navigated with the arrows ‘< >’ on either side of the photos.

February 17, 2019
Houzz Contributor. Landscape designer, a former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset’s Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.