Texas Gardening/Landscaping

Welcome to Worksite Wednesday, where we walk through the particulars of a project or project feature! Today, we are discussing a favorite product from @Ndspro -- the Tufftrack Paver Panel. Here, we show how we use this to mitigate gravel shifting from storm runoff. We'll also have a look at an ingenious way to disguise utilities or other eyesores at the front of your home, a custom trellis.

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Welcome to Worksite Wednesday, where we walk through the particulars of a project or project feature! Today, we are discussing a variety of turf alternatives. Here, we show how we help to conserve water and protect soil health by offering options beyond standard lawns.

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Welcome to Worksite Wednesday, where we walk through the particulars of a project or project feature! Today, we are discussing the importance of water conservation through the use of xeriscaping and native and adapted plants. Here, we give some examples of great options for your yard that bring texture, color, and bold silhouettes to your landscape. We'll also have a look at the new Native Edge logo, as inspired by one of our personal favorites, the pale-leaf yucca.

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At Native Edge Landscape, we believe that outdoor spaces are canvases for artistic expression and harmonious design. In one of our recent projects, we had the opportunity to create a breathtaking pergola that seamlessly blended with the surrounding environment while showcasing the unique artful taste of our clients. Join us as we explore the captivating details of this design and the meticulous craftsmanship that went into creating a truly remarkable outdoor space.

The Pergola: A Perfect Fusion of Steel and Cedar

The focal point of this project is undoubtedly the large pergola, which we carefully constructed from steel C-channel and rough cedar purlins. The combination of these materials resulted in a striking aesthetic that effortlessly marries strength and natural beauty. The warm tones of each play off one another and come alive in the sunlight, while the alternating basketweave layout of the slats offer even more visual interest as well as variation in the provided shade. The design concept was carefully planned to ensure the purlins fit snugly into the channel, cleverly concealing any visible fasteners. This attention to detail adds to the sleek and streamlined appearance of the pergola, elevating its visual appeal and rustic elegance.

Working in Harmony with Nature

One of the most remarkable aspects of this project is how the pergola and the clam shell-colored Trex deck were thoughtfully designed to complement and highlight the existing large red oak tree. Rather than overshadowing or competing with its natural beauty, the design gracefully worked around the tree, creating a harmonious coexistence between human craftsmanship and nature's elegance.

Mid-Century Modern Charm with an Artful Twist

While the overall design of the space exudes mid-century modern aesthetics, what truly makes this project stand out is the clients' unique and artful taste. Their personal touch can be seen in the selection of decor, furniture, and subtle embellishments that add character and personality to the space. The result is a stunning blend of timeless design principles and the clients' individual artistic expression, creating a truly one-of-a-kind outdoor sanctuary.

Craftsmanship that Inspires

Every element of this project, from the pergola's construction to the careful integration of existing natural features, is a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship of the Native Edge Landscape team. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, our designers and craftsmen brought the clients' vision to life, transforming their outdoor space into a work of art.

The large pergola in this project serves as a striking centerpiece, combining the remarkable simplicity of steel and cedar to create a visually striking structure that harmonizes with the surrounding environment. Through careful design and meticulous craftsmanship, we successfully incorporated the clients' artful taste, resulting in a space that reflects their unique style while embracing mid-century modern charm. At Native Edge Landscape, we take pride in creating outdoor spaces that are not only aesthetically stunning but also deeply personal and reflective of our clients' individuality.

If you're seeking to transform your own yard into a captivating art space, we invite you to contact Native Edge Landscape. Our team of experts is ready to bring your vision to life, combining artistry, sustainability, and conscientious craftsmanship to create an outdoor sanctuary that is truly extraordinary. Let us inspire and elevate your outdoor living experience today.

Intelligent Drainage & Rainfall Celebration

At Native Edge, we thrive on designing landscapes that not only enhance the beauty of a property but also address practical challenges. Southwest Swale Way was a project that focused on intelligent drainage solutions while celebrating the natural element of rainfall, and enhancing the client's desired southwestern style. Join us as we delve into the details of this remarkable project and discover how we transformed a problematic swale into a stunning landscape feature.

Phase 1: Enhancing Functionality & Aesthetics

In the first phase, we adjusted the irrigation system, began laying the dry creek beds, and installed the sawn limestone slabs, crushed limestone rock mulch, and limestone boulders that were excavated from the site to create a patio space off the back steps and enhance the appearance of the septic field. Native grasses and tradescantia pallida are beautifully incorporated into this space.

Phase 2: Celebrating Rainfall & Creating Visual Delight

Building upon the success of Phase 1, the second phase of the project focused on enhancing the aesthetics of the landscape while emphasizing the celebration of rainfall.

The home's front high voltage utility area has been replanted with native plants that will grow to conceal the utilities while still allowing for accessibility.

The existing overwhelmed downspouts were replaced with rain chains, which not only effectively managed the water flow but also added a touch of rustic elegance that matched the home's style. To work in tandem with the rain chains, limestone slabs were installed beneath them to act as splash pads. The limestone slab beautifully matches and enhances the existing architecture of the home, as well as the materials used throughout the landscaping.

The splash pads are designed to help guide the runoff to a catch basin beneath the gravel to two 12” box drains that pipe into the drain system behind the retaining wall. The installation of mixed limestone block retaining walls with brick caps seamlessly integrated with the architectural elements of the property and employed leftover building materials from the home.

We added a poured-in-place concrete path from the entry walk extending from the sawn limestone pavers to the utilities at the side of the house to tie into the existing driveway, adding visual interest but also practicality.

The existing excavated limestone boulders were strategically repositioned throughout the landscape to not only serve as functional components but also as visually striking features to the modified design of the dry creek pathways and planted areas.

The swales were further enhanced with a mix of washed river gravel and Brazos River gravel, creating a natural stream-like appearance while maintaining proper water movement. These pathways meander throughout the yard and lead down to the wildflower prairie at the very back of the property.

The beautiful clusters of oaks in the back were viewed as an opportunity to create native planting areas and give ease to mowing, maintenance, and irrigation, while also making these stunning trees a focal point in the design. These areas were mulched with dark Whittlesey mulch to provide visual contrast and tie in to the other landscaped accent beds around the property.

To extend the enjoyment of the yards into the evening, we installed landscape lighting with ten unique fixtures. This included front yard foundation well lights and backyard downlights, known as “moonlighting” that beautifully and naturally illuminates the landscape features, creating a captivating ambiance that imitates the moon.

The Southwest Swale Way project exemplifies Native Edge's expertise in addressing drainage challenges while creating visually stunning landscapes. By intelligently managing water flow, incorporating rain chains, and designing functional swales, we successfully transformed a problematic area into an aesthetically pleasing feature. The use of natural materials, such as limestone boulders and diverse top dresses, added texture and visual interest.

Contact us at Native Edge to explore how we can transform your outdoor space into a sustainable oasis that celebrates both functionality and natural elements.

In a blog post last month, we talked all about the benefits of planting native wildflowers in place of traditional lawns. Transforming your front lawn into a vibrant wildflower prairie can bring beauty, ecological benefits, and a love of native aesthetic to your landscape. However, maintaining a wildflower prairie yard requires a different approach compared to traditional lawn care. In this blog post, we'll explore some essential care and maintenance practices to help you nurture and sustain a thriving wildflower prairie.

Diversify with Native Grasses

While wildflowers are often the main focus when seeding a prairie yard, incorporating native grasses is equally important. Native grasses provide structure, enhance the overall aesthetic, and contribute to a more natural appearance. When choosing your seed mix, consider including a variety of native grasses that will complement the wildflowers. These grasses typically take longer to mature, so combining grass planting with wildflower seeding ensures a balanced timing of growth and a more visually appealing landscape.

Allow for Seed Production

A crucial aspect of wildflower management is allowing the plants to go to seed. This process ensures the self-sustainability of your prairie and encourages the natural dispersal of seeds for future growth. By letting the flowers fully mature and scatter their seeds, you're supporting the long-term success and expansion of your wildflower population.

Manage Aggressive Species & Combat Weeds

While diversity is key in a wildflower prairie, it's essential to manage more aggressive species within your seed mix. Some wildflowers might dominate the landscape, inhibiting the growth of other species. Regular observation and manual removal of these dominant plants prior to them going to seed can help maintain a balanced and harmonious mix of wildflowers.

Weeds can occasionally find their way into a wildflower prairie yard, competing with the desired plants for resources. Regular weeding is essential, particularly during the establishment phase of your prairie. Identifying and removing weeds promptly will minimize their impact on the overall health and appearance of your wildflower ecosystem.

Supplemental Watering

While wildflowers are generally resilient and adapted to native rainfall patterns, providing supplemental water during the early spring can give them a boost. This extra hydration helps them establish strong root systems and encourages more robust growth and blooming throughout the season. Aim for deep, infrequent watering rather than frequent shallow watering to promote healthier plant development.

Creating and maintaining a wildflower prairie yard requires a different approach to traditional lawn care. By diversifying with native grasses, allowing for seed production, managing aggressive species, combating weeds, and providing supplemental water during the early stages, you can ensure a thriving and sustainable wildflower prairie. Embracing these practices will not only enhance the beauty of your landscape but also contribute to the ecological well-being of your surroundings. Enjoy the natural splendor and the multitude of benefits that a wildflower prairie yard brings to your sustainable future.

The home owners of the Cherrywood Charmer were seeking an aesthetically pleasing, environmentally sensitive landscape that would complement the existing large custom deck, which is used both as a peaceful refuge and for some entertaining. This project involved a full-property landscape renovation as the landscaping around the home had been largely untouched for twenty years. It had been in a state of decline in recent years, accelerated by the recent Austin freeze.

The design solution in the backyard focused on expanding the idea of the peaceful refuge by installing meandering paths through diverse plantings intended to draw the user into the landscape, highlighting the presence of the large shade tree that is central to the sense of privacy and enclosure of the space, and implementing a large, calming water feature. The stone borders and pathways are comprised of nicotine limestone sawed chop block that beautifully compliment the impressive three-pump water feature.

We also installed a custom key hole garden made from red cedar with built in trellis supports and a nearby slimline rainwater cistern for produce gardening and irrigation.

In the front yard, our focus was an update to the existing landscape to increase curb appeal and provide a sense of connection with the backyard landscape. New bed lines were defined to capture the areas in which lawn would thrive, and native and adapted planting were implemented along the perimeters of the landscape to draw the eye of passersby. A new railing was also added to the front porch to provide better accessibility for the home owners. 

The Cherrywood Charmer is now a beautiful and sustainable landscape that reflects the homeowner's vision and the expertise of Native Edge Landscape.

Native Edge Landscape is excited to announce that its latest project, The Cherrywood Charmer, will be featured on the Austin Outdoor Living Tour this Saturday, May 6th! This property showcases some of the best sustainable landscaping practices and features a variety of outdoor living spaces that seamlessly blend together.
One of the standout features of this project is the 3-pump recirculating water feature. We’ve also included a custom keyhole raised vegetable garden, which allows for maximum growing space while minimizing water usage. Additionally, the property includes a rainwater cistern demonstrating Native Edge Landscape's commitment to sustainable design.
Visitors to the Austin Outdoor Living Tour will also have the opportunity to explore custom stone pathways and a variety of native plants, all expertly curated by the team at Native Edge Landscape.
Tickets for the Austin Outdoor Living Tour can be purchased at https://mads.media/2023-austin-outdoor-living-tour/. Don't miss this opportunity to see The Cherrywood Charmer and other inspiring outdoor living spaces!