Living “green” has become more than a recent fad- it’s a movement that’s here to stay (and, needs to). But sustainability has been around for a while. Way before the baby boomers generated the disposable world trashing mother earth, those who came before us lived sustainably. It wasn’t a fad- it simply was a way of life. Thankfully, America has raised its sleepy head making a return to its green roots.

Only 3 percent of the earth’s water is fresh, and of that 3 percent, only .02 percent is available for drinking. Scary- especially when you think about the world’s growing population. Throw in a severe drought, and yea, I’m waking up! Water conservation is one way to practice sustainability, and by that I don’t mean turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth (although every little bit helps). I’m talking about reducing the water runoff from driveways and parking lots by using permeable materials and designs.  According to the Sierra Club Green Home website and blog, “Just a 30-by-30 foot patch of concrete can shed over 550 gallons of water in a one-inch rain. Multiply that by thousands of homes, and you’re talking a tidal wave of potentially tainted H2O.” Yes, tainted by debris, oil, fertilizer, and garbage the water collects as it runs off impermeable surfaces racing toward the sewage system.

So, to get me off this soap box take a look below at some beautifully designed permeable driveways that compliment the overall look of a home. Sustainability doesn’t just have to be about function, it can be about form too. Form does follow function and here are some lovely ways to create a healthier living environment.

I took the below images in Charleston, S.C. while participating in a garden design workshop held by the Dargans of Dargan Landscape Architects.

What a lovely mix of brick, rocks, and bluestone. Instead of a lozenge of grass, rocks were used to help the water seep back into the ground.

A simple gravel drive bordered with ground cover plants and flowers.

A lovely brick drive with no mortar. The water can return to the earth and moss can thrive, creating the timeless beauty of patina.

And, one of my favorites- a mix of brick and bluestone with a lozenge of asiatic jasmine and a back drop of cherry trees. What a view!

Who would have thought driveways could have so much potential for beauty!

There are other attractive permeable materials to work with such as Belgard pavers. This is just one of many companies who produce permeable concrete pavers.

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine a finished product while in the throws of construction. No matter how well the builders try to keep the area neat and orderly, the site can look rough and bare.Almost complete, this beautiful Mediterrean style home with its sun baked ochre color yearns for the final softening touches only landscaping can provide.

Canary Island Palms flank the front entrance and Washingtonia Palms anchor the corners of the house.

To ensure the decorative stone facing remains visible low growing shrubs and ground covers of dwarf yaupon hollies, agapanthus, and liriope were selected as the under plantings near the foundation.

Rising up like a phoenix, the specimen Canary Island Palm commands attention in the center island bed with Loropetalum ‘Purple Diamond’, Maiden Grass ‘Adagio’ , and  Lantana “New Gold’ standing guard. The lush green encompassing the whole is the Empire Zoysia turf grass.

After a warm but dreary winter and a hard spring rain….

Cornus florida 'Dogwood'

the spent bracts of the flowering dogwood trees and blossoms of the bridal wreath shrubs say good-bye…

Spiraea spp. 'Bridal Wreath'

While the Japanese Maple and Louisiana Iris unfurl to say hello….

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Crimson Queen'

Iris hexagona

Spring… our reminder of death and rebirth, always saying good-bye to the old and hello to the new.

Here’s to all the ‘hellos’ this Spring!

Outdoor living just got more inviting on Bayou Texar where life stays in full swing with boating, fishing, BBQing, or just relaxing.

While water activities and good food are delicious ingredients for a recipe of “Fun”, a beautiful setting elevates the overall enjoyment . And, kicking it up a notch is just what the Moores wanted to do with their landscape.

They had left the water front property natural, letting the bayou be the focus. Leading to the boat dock was a lonely picnic table just to the left of the path and a deck just to the right of the dock.

This lonesome pot of violas is about to make a few friends!

But first, the Outerspaces crew did a landscape demolition…

Then a pergola and pavers were installed…

Keeping with a nautical style, a mini wall of sawed off pilings create a distinct area of entertaining.

Once the hardscape was completed the plants were installed. We used saw palmettos, knock out roses, flax lilies, Adagio maiden grass, azaleas, and Japanese holly ferns.

In front of the house we used loropetalum, agapanthus, and added additional cast iron plant and Japanese holly fern. For an extra pop of seasonal color we installed a crescent shaped annual bed.

The Moores got an early start by planning ahead- now ready for Mardi Gras. Bring on the crawfish!!!

“Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and file’ gumbo
‘Cause tonight I’m gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou”…

Having neglected what little landscaping we had at our weekend cabin, and having not been there over the summer months, during which time tropical storm Lee passed, the place was a mess. While my sister and I sat on the front porch hypnotically watching the hummingbirds buzz around the feeders it occurred to us that “the mess” was not going any where. What were we waiting for?? A handsome genie to pop out of a lantern to grant us three landscaping wishes??? Maybe a winning Power Ball lottery ticket to apply toward a total makeover??? Check out the before and after pictures. It’s confession time!

Scraggly, neglected holly shrubs

Peonies waiting for their place in a well planned space and a stray azalea from long ago.

Getting the job done!

Working their magic!

A big improvement!

Indian Hawthorn under a Pyracantha espalier

The higher the mercury level the bluer my landscape…

expanding Hydrangeas macrophylla mopheads…

Agapanthus ssp. blossoms stretching to the sun…

Bee bellying up to the Savia x ‘Indigo Spires’ nectar bar…

What’s your cure for the summertime blues??

Some people just have “it”. Simon talks about an American Idol contestant who has “it”. Country singer, Zac Brown, sings about the woman of his dreams having “Whatever IT is”. Charm, star-like quality, talent, taste, or all those rolled into one are characteristics of “it”. As for my friend, Ann, her innate “it” is style, with a capital S which permeates every aspect of her life- from clothes, to home furnishings, to gardening and outdoor living, etc… the list goes on! Her classic style has an understated elegance that embraces beauty in all things.

Take a look at how she has designed her outdoor living space.

I love Ann’s use of the classical principles of symmetry and form with the potted boxwoods.

Symmetrically placed topiaries frame the opening to the breezeway

Merry Christmas from Ann’s garden!

Dana had fond childhood memories of visiting her grandmother in her East Hill home, but when she and her husband, Robert, purchased it they realized the cherished home and landscape needed revitalization.

Their vision was to turn the carport into a porch and make a circular drive along the side of the house.

Overgrown Southern indica azaleas have become unmanageable through the years. The circular drive is planned for this side of the house.

side view of old landscape

Dana and Robert met with Ellis Bullock, owner of Outerspaces Landscapes, for whom I do a lot of design work. He helped them turn their 21st century vision of her grandmother’s house into reality. Ellis and I worked together to design the plan and once it was drawn to scale the work commenced.

the demolition has begun

Goodbye to the smothering, overgrown and “viney” shrubs!

where the circular drive is planned

There’s an old saying “it gets worse before it gets better” and the demolition process certainly invokes the thought. Now, the worst is over and the “getting better” is on the way.

beautiful pavers make a great looking circular drive

First the pavers are installed for the drive and walk ways. Now, for the plant material.

Wow! What a difference a planned landscape and a paved driveway make. No more claustrophobic shrubs. ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ hollies anchor the corners of the house while ‘Natchez’ crape myrtles line the street.

view of the new porch from the drive

The house now has an inviting and open feel that welcomes the neighbors and passersby.

In the current September issue of House Beautiful, Mimi Read describes patina perfectly in her interview with Penelope Bianchi as “the warmth of well-worn much-loved things”. As they talk about the interior designer’s personal antique collection, Mimi asks Penelope what “moves” her the most. The answer: patina.

Last year, in the Summer 2009 issue of my newsletter, I wrote about the importance of multi-generations in the garden. I love state of the art appliances such as out door kitchens and the latest cultivars of plant material, but create that third dimension in your landscape by adding age and “patina”.

Heirloom plants are a must, especially if they came from your grand or great-grandparents,i.e., someone special, but antique architectural pieces add weight and substance to the land. A sense of timelessness and eternity fills the space.

Stone hewned fountains imbue the qualities of age and eternity as well. Brought forth from the earth and made to channel the life sustaining force of water, the fountain is a necessary feature in completing the garden.

Then there’s nothing like the mystery that lies behind the old iron gate. What’s beyond it… who lives within…what is the story?

A secret garden perhaps….

A stone wall speaks…   connecting me with those who have gone before as well as those who will walk this earth long after I’m gone. While on a recent excursion to Jerusalem, the ancient stone terraced landscape, the still standing Western Wall, and the stone ruins at the Pools of Bethsaida were constant reminders  of my relationship to people past, present, and future. In these old rock creations lies the warmth of the well-worn loved earth stretching across time: patina.

My own mini-stone wall