The Texas red bud is the star of a secret guest room garden that acts as the main outdoor walkway from the front to the backyard.

The unconventional front yard is located in a very urban area of downtown Houston and features a grove of Texas red buds set in a large bed of jasmine. Employing planting beds in the front yard instead of typical grass allows for water conservation and cools the surrounding area.

A lush green planter, grown in almost complete shade, uses the sun’s reflection off of the house to thrive and stay full year round.

A formal oak tree allee and dwarf yaupon holly parterre frames views from the large front windows. Our team spends time hand shaping and pruning the hedges according to current horticulturally recommended techniques.

A private kitchen side yard is framed with views of rotating color and fragrant Skinner’s banana shrubs.

Diverse textures mix well with a cohesive plant palette that combines southern classics with new, innovative plant material.

A secret guest room garden acts as a dramatic living mural framed by large sweeping windows as well as the main outdoor walkway from the front courtyard to the backyard. It mixes function and beauty with an overabundance of tropical plant material and a stunning Texas red bud.

The soil moisture content is monitored carefully each week by the crew and garden managers and can be controlled remotely with smart irrigation technology.

The backyard is characterized by modern, straight lines that mimic the architecture of the home.

A large multi-trunk live oak that we installed, set in Mexican beach pebble stone, is the focal point and Eagleston hollies are used as a screen for the neighboring homes, creating a private, enclosed area for relaxing and entertaining.

Perennial planting beds lead to a functional, shaded side yard. These beds are packed full of diverse, colorful plants that are well-adapted and thrive in the part-sun environment.

Vines growing up the metal pergola compliment the material by softening the hardness of the lines and texture.

Artificial turf is maintained and kept clean even with the presence of pets through weekly blowing and use of sprinklers to wash the area on a schedule.

Each of the planting beds are trimmed and maintained for optimal framing of the windows so the landscape can be enjoyed indoor and out.