Harmony in the Garden Blog

Category: Lawn-Free Gardens

Light and Airy Flowers for a Naturalistic Garden

Light and airy flowers, which I fondly call ‘bobbers,’ are one of the key components of a naturalistic garden. Despite their varying shapes (balls, umbels,

12 Comments

Designing a Modified Meadow

Designing a modified meadow in my new garden has been one of the most challenging yet most rewarding things I’ve ever created. Also known as

16 Comments

Designing a Hellstrip

Designing a hellstrip is often an afterthought, something considered once the rest of the garden is complete, which is such a shame! When visually connected

12 Comments

Replacing a Pool with a Garden

Over the years, more and more people have asked me for help with replacing a pool with a garden. Maybe it’s because of California’s

34 Comments

Designing with Ornamental Grasses

I’ve been designing with ornamental grasses for decades and consider them an indispensable staple not only in my own garden but in those I design.

12 Comments

The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Lawn-Free Garden

Here it is – the ultimate guide to creating a lawn-free garden! Over the past several years, I’ve written a lot about creating a lawn-free

15 Comments

Transforming a Sloping Front Garden

Transforming a sloping front garden is tricky for a variety of reasons: poor drainage and water run-off, soil erosion, and difficulty in maneuvering around, just

7 Comments

Gardening Under Oaks: Learning to Love Dry-Shade Plants

Gardening under oaks and learning to love dry-shade plants go hand-in-hand. Sensitive to summer irrigation, fertilizers, and root disturbance means creating a garden near an

37 Comments