Bench

Here are three residential properties on the Bench. The Bench has different soil types but tends to be loamy. There are also challenging areas of caliche/hardpan. Creating berms is an easy way to improve drainage for the plants.

YEAR 1After removing the lawn, we added some berms and ornamental stone, making sure to have enough pathways through the garden to help with weeding and additional planting. — YEAR 1
After removing the lawn, we added some berms and ornamental stone, making sure to have enough pathways through the garden to help with weeding and additional planting.

YEAR 2As plants were going in, we had to create a border with the neighbor's lawn to keep grass from creeping in (notice edging in bottom right corner). — YEAR 2
As plants were going in, we had to create a border with the neighbor's lawn to keep grass from creeping in (notice edging in bottom right corner).

YEAR 3Grown in very nicely. Home owners water once every three weeks. — YEAR 3
Grown in very nicely. Home owners water once every three weeks.

YEAR 1These homeowners wanted to remove the lawn and ultimately have a garden that wouldn’t need any supplemental water. They let their lawn die over the summer by not watering. — YEAR 1
These homeowners wanted to remove the lawn and ultimately have a garden that wouldn’t need any supplemental water. They let their lawn die over the summer by not watering.

YEAR 2Their budget allowed for ornamental stone. Additional plants that weren't available the first year were planted, such as a bristlecone, dusty maiden, blazing star, and mules ears. Temporary drips were installed. — YEAR 2
Their budget allowed for ornamental stone. Additional plants that weren't available the first year were planted, such as a bristlecone, dusty maiden, blazing star, and mules ears. Temporary drips were installed.

YEAR 3This landscape filled in so beautifully that it was part of the 2017 Idaho Botanical Garden Tour. Drip lines will be removed at the beginning of the fourth year, since this garden should flourish with just the rainfall we get in this area. — YEAR 3
This landscape filled in so beautifully that it was part of the 2017 Idaho Botanical Garden Tour. Drip lines will be removed at the beginning of the fourth year, since this garden should flourish with just the rainfall we get in this area.

YEAR 1This was the backyard of a newly constructed home. For the first year, we simply put down cardboard and a heavy layer of mulch to keep the weeds at bay until the clients could budget the money for this project. Their idea was to create a mini-… — YEAR 1
This was the backyard of a newly constructed home. For the first year, we simply put down cardboard and a heavy layer of mulch to keep the weeds at bay until the clients could budget the money for this project. Their idea was to create a mini-forest in this area, which would be difficult to do here xerically. However, we changed up the forest to be a bristlecone and pinon pine forest, which will have much lower water needs. Trees were planted in the fall.

YEAR 2The client's budget allowed for some hardscaping and contouring. Drip line was added along with many perennials and shrubs, such as buckwheats, evening primrose, Palmer penstemon, mirabilis, golden currant, fernbush, smoke bush, and rabbitbrus… — YEAR 2
The client's budget allowed for some hardscaping and contouring. Drip line was added along with many perennials and shrubs, such as buckwheats, evening primrose, Palmer penstemon, mirabilis, golden currant, fernbush, smoke bush, and rabbitbrush.

YEAR 3The last year of hardscaping with pathways was completed. Trees, shrubs, and perennials filling in. Watering starts in mid-May and is once every three weeks. — YEAR 3
The last year of hardscaping with pathways was completed. Trees, shrubs, and perennials filling in. Watering starts in mid-May and is once every three weeks.