Landscape, Plants, Hardscape & Decks
For most of the past century, natural waterways in Southern California have existed as lifeless concrete channels. Efforts to “regreen” some of those once-beautiful waters have given rise to hopes that the Los Angeles River, and others like it, will one day recapture their former natural health and riparian beauty.
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It’s true that some artificial rock installations are not convincing. In an effort to solve those disconnects, today’s cast-concrete rock panel systems are taken from natural stone. When installed and finished correctly, rock panels can look like the real thing.
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The marriage between rockwork and architecture can be a contentious one, especially when the visual relationship isn’t thought out ahead of time. Making rocks work in built spaces requires strategic thinking, says Terence Thornton and Kevin Kraft, with an eye toward the way nature does things.
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Working for one of the leading pond suppliers and builders in the U.S., Jennifer Zuri has seen countless examples of beautiful, naturalistic watershapes. When it came time to installing a pond for her and her family, even with all her experience, she wasn’t completely prepared for the positive impact it would have on their lives.
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The world of landscape architecture is very different from that of the pool designer/builder. Although the two disciplines share many common aspects and objectives, the approach to the process can be very, very different. Designer Scott Pancake has worked on both sides of the equation and has come to value the possibilities of combining both worlds.
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When it comes to landscaping and gardening, choosing the right groundcover is essential for the health and vitality of plants. While options like gravel or cobblestone may seem appealing for their durability and low maintenance, there are several drawbacks to consider, and one very good alternative.
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One of the lingering ironies of designing planted areas is that although plants are arguably the most impactful of all landscape elements, they are also often left as an afterthought. Mark David Levine, argues elevating softscape starts with understanding planting design style.
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The presence of water in the landscape can stir deep emotions, and sometimes even help soothe the pain of a lost loved one. That was case in the project described here, where a beautiful stream and waterfall installation serves as a centerpiece of a property that is devoted to love, remembrance and grieving.
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A mat of seaweed twice the size of the U.S. is headed toward Florida, raising the specter of dirty, stinky beaches and possible harm to coastal ecosystems. Record algal blooms are becoming more common as a result of climate change, while at the same time, farming seaweed might be a powerful weapon in the war against permanent environmental damage.
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The Waters of Yosemite: A Tale of Nature’s Majesty