Front Yard Garden Replaces Lawn and Lone Palm Tree

By contributor Shirley Bovshow, the EdenMaker

Before

A small patch of grass and a lone palm tree — did someone run out of plants or ideas?

I’m not against front lawns per se, just uninspired designs like this one that are ultimately a waste of water and time to maintain. My clients, Joe and Randi Grinbaum felt the same way when they looked upon their small patch of lawn and lone palm tree that comprised their front yard.

Another issue I had with this yard was that it lacked a dedicated walkway to the front door. Dodging parked cars is not my idea of good design, so, I had a few design issues to address and I was anxious to get to work!

After

Not only did the garden courtyard bring functionality and color to the yard, it also attracted hummingbirds, butterflies and the attention of passersby!

To remedy the problems, I removed all of the lawn and designed a 4-foot-wide stone walkway that ran through a new fragrant Mediterranean-style garden. It was amazing how much larger the space felt as a garden courtyard than as a lawn area. The Grinbaums were amazed at the transformation and welcomed the fragrance the garden offered as well as the colorful bouquets that they were able to bring indoors throughout the year.