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Nurturing Nature Responsibly: Water Conservation Through Better Design

by Heather Day / August 5, 2023

Water conservation is a critical mission for our planet's sustainable future, and Native Edge Landscape has always been at the forefront of this eco-conscious movement. With our vision of responsible landscapes, we employ innovative techniques like xeriscaping, hardscaping, and water-wise plant selection to make a lasting impact on water conservation. Envision what your space could be while we explore our role in creating environmentally responsible landscapes.

Xeriscaping: A Texas-Friendly Landscape Approach

Xeriscaping is a landscape design philosophy that embraces water-efficient practices, reducing water usage without sacrificing beauty and functionality. Here's how Native Edge incorporates the principles of xeriscaping:

  • Drought-Tolerant Plants: Xeriscaping involves using native and drought-tolerant plants that thrive in the local climate with minimal water needs. These resilient species retain water more effectively, reducing irrigation demands significantly.
  • Soil Improvement: By enhancing the soil's ability to retain moisture, xeriscaping ensures that plants make the most of the water they receive.
  • Mulching: Mulching around plants reduces evaporation, keeps the soil cooler, and minimizes weed growth, further conserving water.
  • Grouping Plants by Water Needs: Strategic plant grouping based on water requirements helps ensure efficient irrigation practices.

Hardscape: Striking a Balance

Hardscape elements, such as patios, walkways, and retaining walls, are integral to any landscape. However, too much of the wrong kinds of hardscape can hinder water absorption and contribute to irresponsible runoff. Native Edge tackles this challenge by finding the right balance between hardscape and green space:

  • Permeable Materials: Using permeable materials and aggregates allows for rainwater to seep into the ground, preventing runoff and replenishing the water table.
  • Efficient Contouring and Drainage: Strategic contouring of hardscape elements, combined with efficient drainage solutions, directs rainwater to areas where it can be absorbed or reused effectively. This prevents wasteful runoff and improves water retention in the soil, promoting healthier landscapes.
  • Beauty and Functionality in Harmony: At Native Edge, we never compromise on aesthetics or functionality. Our hardscape designs seamlessly blend with the landscape, delivering visual appeal while conserving water.
  • Local. Sustainable.: We love to use local hardscape materials wherever we can, employing the aesthetic of our Texas landscape and reducing the environmental strain of transportation. Local mulch, Texas cedar, Brazos River rock, hill country limestone. We also employ materials excavated from your site wherever we can, including our local impressive limestone boulders.

Water-Wise Plant Selection: Flourishing Sustainably

Native Edge Landscape understands that striking landscapes can still be achieved without excessive water consumption. Our approach includes:

  • Native Plants: By incorporating native plants, we ensure the landscape is in harmony with the local ecosystem, reducing the need for additional watering and promoting biodiversity.
  • Drought-Tolerant Species: Carefully selecting drought-tolerant plants promises a vibrant, resilient landscape that thrives even in dry spells.
  • Smart Irrigation: Using advanced irrigation systems, Native Edge can help you deliver the right amount of water at the right time, minimizing waste while optimizing plant health.

Water Conservation is a collective responsibility, and we here at Native Edge lead by example, spearheading eco-friendly practices that prioritize xeriscaping, responsible hardscape, and water-wise plant selection. By embracing these principles, we can create stunning landscapes that prosper without straining precious water resources. Join us as we promote sustainability and choose to nurture nature responsibly, creating a greener world for generations to come. Together, we can ensure a thriving future for both our landscapes and our planet.

Cherrywood Charmer

by Dillon Tuttle / May 5, 2023

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.

Austin Outdoor Living Tour 2023

by Heather Day / May 3, 2023

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!

Mount Bonnell Native Oasis

by Dillon Tuttle / June 24, 2021

We have had the pleasure of working on multiple projects for this property over the past few years! It has been great to watch the property change and turn into the native oasis it is today! The most important aspect of this property that the owner wanted to maintain was that all the plantings were native to Central Texas. The back of the property was filled with native plantings around the pool, and the property owner wanted a cohesive look with her beds in the front yard that had become overgrown. We removed the old plants and added in some of the same native plantings that were found in her back yard. Yaupon Holly was added along the property line to provide extra privacy from the neighbors and flowering natives were clustered to make the property more pollinator friendly!

Another request from the owner was that we make the property more inviting during the evenings. We added in some outdoor lighting to highlight the trees, as well as lighting that illuminated the pathway up to the house and around the back of the property. This added a dreamy element to the space, making the property more inviting to guests.

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Georgetown Wildflower Wonderland

by Erin Spencer / June 1, 2021

Located in downtown Georgetown, this family transformed their front yard into a wildflower wonderland! They envisioned a welcoming entrance with seating and native landscaping to host both guests and pollinators on their property. They wanted to ditch their grass yard in favor of colorful native plants that would create a charming scene for friends and neighbors alike. They dreamed of a gathering space in their front yard that looked out over their native plantings, so we added a seating area with cafe lights and raised steel planters so that the plantings could be enjoyed while seated. Black star gravel was added for furniture and plant contrast, making them pop against the home and landscaping. This family now has a relaxing area to gather, host friends, and watch the pollinators visit their beautiful wildflowers!=

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Hudson Bend Hilltop Estate

by Dillon Tuttle / November 3, 2020

These homeowners came to us wanting to update their property with new plantings at the street, which matched the existing landscaping of the neighborhood, as well as update the various beds around their foundation. The existing beds throughout the property became overgrown and needed a bit of breathing room to allow space for the new plants to fill in. The old vegetation was ripped out and replaced with both native, and adapted plants.

The wooded area in the backyard was rid of debris, and a drainage system was added using the rocks that were in their previous landscape design. Not only were the materials able to be recycled, they are now used to help prevent continued erosion of the hillside by taking the water from the sloped driveway and giving it a path toward the woods. Limestone was the chosen replacement because it is cohesive with the neighbor’s landscaping and the pre-existing stairs in the backyard. Blocks of limestone were used to line the new beds and build a new fire pit to accessorize the beautiful view!

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New mulch makes everything better!

by Rodney Stoutenger / May 2, 2019

New #mulch makes everything better! Not only does it improve soil structure, help retain moisture, and limit weed growth it also looks fantastic. It's so fun to work in such a lush and green space near #bartoncreek!

#landscapeDesign #landscapedesigns #landscapedesigner #landscapedesigners #landscaping #landscapearchitecture #outdoordesign #outdoorliving #maintenance #landscapemaintenance #Austin #austindesign #AustinTX #AustinTexas #austinlife #austinphotography #austinstyle #ATXlife

Best Of Austin 2018 Voting!

by Jake / September 20, 2018

 Awesome News!We made the short list for Austin Chronicle's Best of Ausitn 2018 poll! But to bring home the prize we need you to vote again! So, head on over to the Austin Chronicle's website and vote for us in the "Lawn Care/Landscaping" category for their 2018 #BestOfAustin list! Comment below when you've cast your vote![button style="colored" url="http://bit.ly/AusBest" target="_blank"]Click Here For The Ballot![/button]Below is a list of other local businesses and organizations we think deserve your support and love as well!

Oh you know, just another day on the job.. 🕷

by Rodney Stoutenger / May 18, 2018

Oh you know, just another day on the job.. 🕷[igp-likes] Instagram LikesOh you know, just another day on the job.. 🕷 #spider #surprise #landscape #lifeofalandscaper #landscape #austin #atxlife #atx #nativeedge #nativeedgelandscape

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers out there! ️

by Rodney Stoutenger / May 13, 2018

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers out there! ️[igp-likes] Instagram LikesHappy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers out there! ️ #mothersday #mothersday2018 #atx #atxlife #mom #celebratemom #momsday #nativeedge #nativeedgelandscape