Some random pictures of what I'd like my garden to look like:
 |
| Elements: Long narrow stone path leading toward stucco wall and gate (our configuration), flanked on either side by curved, mounded, lush garden areas. Good use of enclosed space with a wall on the left and a low wall at the end. |
 |
| Elements: A different way to do our deck and stone patio. Bring flagstones under and around deck overhang, then curving out to circular sitting area surrounded by plants. |
 |
| Elements: An extended overhang sloped roof over the deck for shade. Clear, open serpentine gravel path leads to hidden destination. Plants border the deck edge and the other side of the path. |
↓
As a comparison, here is my own deck over gravel and flagstones:
 |
| Comparison: the path leading around behind the deck is not as defined, and there is no sloped roof over. But elements are similar to above deck photo. |
 |
| Elements: Large mossy stone, curved narrow gravel path, weighty shrubs, solid conifer, open perennials. Quiet composition. |
 |
| Elements: More rustic than typical circulating bubblers set in a tumble of rocks. Simpler, cleaner, just a fence post and bowl, set above ground. |
 |
| Elements: Upright spiky plants in a raised mound that slopes down to the gravel path. Lower edge grows out into the gravel a bit. Soft natural look. |
 |
| Elements: This is what I had wanted -- looser jumbled moss rock border edging a curved gravel path, & fronting a raised mound of plants spilling down and over. |
 |
| Elements: A wild look in a small space, jumbled plants with paths that circle. Flagstones with creeping ground covers, mound in the middle |
 |
| Elements: Massed plants with paths and stones, fenced in. Tamed wildness. Elevation from different layers of plants. Same garden as above. |
 |
| Elements: A soft jumble of plants growing together, a small disappearing path, all in a tiny space about the size and narrow length of ours. (A view helps.) |
 |
| Elements: The same garden as above, in winter. Lots of structure still shows the soft jumble of things and how small and tightly together all are. That view! |
 |
| Elements: Irregular stone path and use of groundcovers tucked in and around and under upright plants creates a loose, casual look. |
 |
| Elements: Creeping thyme spilling over and down a slight rise, rather than as a flat space filler. Accent plant for foliage contrast. |
 |
| Elements: Same garden as above. It's tiny but the path bends and disappears. The hint of a simple gate is partly hidden for intrigue. |
 |
| Elements: Openness of the arching branches creates dappled shade below. Narrow flagstone path wanders a bit but is bounded by house and wall with a few low plants tucked in along its edges. |
 |
| Elements: Straight low lines tempered by bushy forms. No height or enclosure, but the open unobstructed sky frames the garden. |
 |
| Elements: Slight mound in the middle of wandering paths, inside a fenced area. Small, intimate, but loose and casual. Serene, nothing flowery. |
 |
| Elements: More casual scatter of irises than a stiff stand. Different sized rocks placed randomly around them. Plants popping up in the gravel in naturalistic way. |
 |
| Elements: Same shot as above, slightly different angle. A variation on the circle and bench I've done around the birdbath, but looser, more informal, and with lots of greenery and form behind the bench leading the eye beyond. |
 |
| Elements: The spill effect. Simple plants I have -- yarrow, pineleaf penstemon, close together and spilling down over a large rock. A loose, natural look. |