A place to pause
An integrated seat wall puts a resting place where the garden feels most sheltered. The route into the courtyard stays open and easy to read.
High Plains Courtyard
A sheltered place to slow down.
The starting point.
An open, exposed yard becomes a small outdoor room: somewhere to read in the afternoon, share a conversation, and watch the grasses move. A few strong boundaries make the garden feel private while keeping it connected to the wider landscape.
The design idea.
A low sandstone wall defines the room without closing out the sky. A multi-stem tree creates a lighter ceiling, while grasses soften the meeting of gravel and stone.
Softness at the edges
Loose drifts of grasses and flowering perennials break up the hard geometry. Planting repeats in groups, giving the small space a calm rhythm.
Shade without enclosure
A small canopy tree and open timber screen suggest a room while allowing light and views to pass through.
Close to the ground.
Planting character
A palette of serviceberry, blue grama, little bluestem and penstemon. Serviceberry adds a light canopy, while the grasses and perennials give the sheltered room its texture.
Material palette
Pale sandstone, fine mineral gravel and cedar. A restrained palette lets plant texture and changing light do more of the work.
A garden for your home begins with your site, priorities and the way you want to spend time outside.
Talk about a garden like this