Story Book Cottage Garden – Back Yard

This colorful back yard garden builds on the story book wonder of the front, with new soft, romantic plantings and new structural elements.

A classic pergola tops off the new charcoal gray concrete patio, which is scored with a diagonal pattern and edged with brick, and matches the front yard’s new driveway and entry. The new winding gravel paths mimic those in front as well. A whimsical wishing well and a sweet, blue glazed bird bath surrounded by a mist of frothy, native Canyon Belle coral bells, sit at one end. Anchoring the other end is an existing shed, now enveloped in a bountiful yellow Lady Bank’s rose. Three arbors clad in prolific, pink Cecile Brunner climbing roses form a dreamy tunnel to a utilitarian side yard.

The small lawn was installed for the homeowner’s pooch and as a stable spot for a hammock. The new pergola, with a retractable Sunbrella canopy, creates a cozy conversation area.

The wide variety of blooming shrubs, perennials and ground covers offers a year-round bounty of pollen, nectar and water, and safe spaces for perching and nesting, and birds, bees and butterflies abound.