Casual & Contemporary Shady Makeover

Clean lines and contemporary stone work make this backyard a soothing and stylish retreat. We created a spacious modern patio using large stone slabs and complemented the contemporary pool with polished Mexican river rock. Uniform plantings of low-maintenance specimens, such as horsetail reed and clumping bamboo complete the look.

Sometimes where we need a garden most just happens to be where you might not normally find one! This rooftop courtyard project offered up distinct challenges in terms of access, structure and water management. We created a series of raised planter beds with specialized drainage systems and barriers to keep water from damaging the building’s structure, plus drip irrigation to the entire garden. The result is a beautiful and sophisticated rooftop green space for the tenants.

This rooftop needed some serious greenery, but as with any rooftop garden project, water drainage must always be properly managed. We created a series of raised beds with advanced drainage and stonework that would support numerous container specimens. All plants were also hooked up to automated drip irrigation. This was a unique solution for making the rooftop feel lush, inviting and contemporary, while still properly managing water to prevent damage to the building.

This stately home needed a lush and stately landscape to complement its architecture. Traditional trees and shrubs such as azaleas, Japanese maples and roses are focal points in the color gardens. We paired them with colorful perennials and annuals that bloom through the seasons. The natural plantings create a European flair that is a delight for the homeowners and their neighbors.

This cozy backyard patio proves that you don’t need a lot of space to make a big impact! We created a custom natural stone patio to make the small space more useable, then added plantings between the stones to soften up the look and feel of the space. Low-maintenance plantings were added to make the space more cozy and inviting. The softly bubbling boulder water feature is an added touch of calm.

When you want give a modern flair to an existing traditional backyard pool, new hardscaping can do the trick. To update the look of this pre-existing pool, we added a unique horizontal fence and lined it with heat tolerant plants such as horsetail reed. We even created a wall-mounted vertical garden and installed it directly on the fence. Custom stone steps give the small backyard space some much needed depth. Containers filled with pops of seasonal color keep the space festive and fun for poolside relaxing and entertaining.

The southern style columns and red brick edging along the front pathway make for an inviting walk-up to this comfortable and traditional home. Symmetrical plantings of seasonal color are updated throughout the year keep the front landscape, and curb appeal, fresh. Containers filled with coordinating plants are a welcome surprise as guests reach the front door. The backyard, as you can see from the image in the gallery, was in need of a refresh. We improved the health of the grass so it was healthy and beautiful and then added stone pathways leading around the pool. We complemented the backyard with landscape plantings of hostas and ferns in the shady spots and roses and evergreens along the sunny fence line.

Stone slabs, river rock accents and waterwise plants make this new landscape easy to maintain and comfortable to live in. The front steps were widened and a wood handrail was added to tie in the wood of the bench in front. Dwarf mondo grass was planted under the large shade tree as an alternative to leaving the soil bare. This will cut down on erosion. River rocks help with drainage and are a beautiful design element. A boulder water feature evokes calm to arriving guests.

Natural stone custom raised beds give this traditional home depth and character. A mixture of evergreen perennials, ornamental grasses and shrubs will keep the beds full of texture and color year-round. Seasonal blooms can be changed out as the weather warms then cools throughout the year.

A shady pergola, outdoor kitchen and custom stone patio make this backyard a perfect place for entertaining throughout the year! By adding a coordinating a stone wall along the driveway and around the patio, we tied together the entire backyard landscape.The new fence is a beautiful backdrop for the evergreen shrubs lining the backyard. Easy-maintenance plants were added so less water is needed once the plants are established. Even the side yard is landscaped with a stone pathway and Texas-tough plants!

This home was in need of an area for the family to gather and entertain outdoors. They also wanted to be sure the style of the space fit in with their clean-lined contemporary home. We created a modern outdoor space using large blocks of easy-to-maintain concrete which we back filled with dark gray expanded shale. The contrast of materials gave the home’s back patio an updated and contemporary look, while keeping it low maintenance. Modern planters filled with cactus and succulents keep it festive, colorful and easy to care for.

For these homeowners we turned their standard patio into an outdoor extension of their living and dining rooms. A walking path leads guests through a landscaped side yard to a bricked-in outdoor grill. The patio is close by for easy access and covered with a custom pergola for a bit of shady respite from the sun. Water features add relaxing sounds to an already serene space. The brick patio was extended to accommodate extra seating and loungers. Heat and drought tolerant shade plants were added for easy maintenance in our Texas climate. This patio is entertaining ready!

This chateau style home has stunning European flair! We complimented the European feel with larger garden beds that could be filled with lots of lush color. In order to work with the established shade trees, we planted Japanese maples and azaleas; both are showy in the shade. The quaint iron fence is a wonderful frame for the front beds, which we filled with both perennials and seasonal color. In spring, tulips bloom big alongside the azaleas. Come summer, caladiums and impatiens rule supreme! Guests are welcomed at the front gate by a natural stone pad. The shaded pool is given the same beautiful treatment as the front landscape to offer a continuous flow.

Bring a bit of Japan to your home with the bright foliage and architectural shapes of Japanese maples, a serene water feature and the soothing neutral colors of gray and black stones. We turned this small patio into a zen oasis by carefully choosing plants that offered both color and texture for seasonal and year-round interest, then combined them with carefully placed, large boulders and a bubbling waterfall. Keep calm in your urban backyard getaway!

The sparse grass and exposed dirt made this side yard play area both an eyesore and a muddy mess. The homeowners dreamed of a space where their kids could play that was out of the way of their main backyard entertaining area, but that was still attractive and clean. To make the area more kid-friendly and easy to keep clean, we removed the old weak lawn and installed low-maintenance faux turf. While real grass is always our preferred choice, this area simply couldn’t sustain a healthy lawn, and water was being wasted trying to maintain it. This high-quality faux turf is soft to the touch, looks real and is easy to maintain. Just hose off any dirt or dust, the water runs through to the soil beneath because the backing material is permeable. Kids can play as much as they want with no worry about damaging the lawn. We also excavated part of the yard so that the kids trampoline could be installed at ground level. To make it easy for the kids to travel to their new playground, we installed attractive steps using natural stone pavers. The addition of a custom designed brick wall and rustic fence provides both safety for the kids and a big boost to the home’s curb appeal. Now, the homeowners have a special place for the kids to play that looks beautiful both from their home and the street.

The right streetside landscaping and seasonal color goes a long way to helping create the right “vibe” for your business. Mesero Mexican restaurant on Henderson Ave. in Dallas is a wonderful restaurant designed with strong style; their landscape plantings need to stylish as well! The modern yet retro 50s vibe of the restaurant’s building design begged for palm trees, and we delivered. Extra care was taken to choose palm varieties that would both fit the scale of the small entry and power lines on the easement, as well as be cold tolerant enough to survive our occasional hard winter freezes. To keep the texture and color of the plantings as interesting as the buildings architecture, we chose low maintenance, drought tolerant yucca plants as a striking backdrop for the entry landscape bed. Each season, we plant fresh low-maintenance seasonal color to complement the perennial plantings. Containers that can be changed out seasonally line the patio as well. Stylish plantings don’t have to be complicated; clean and simple can make a strong statement, just like the restaurant.

Everyone loves a pool…But the surrounding landscape and entertaining areas can either make or brake the space. Making the poolside environment both functional and attractive not only boosts your property value, but inspires you to actually use the pool! By adding a modern outdoor kitchen, installing all new concrete around the pool, and refreshing the landscape, we took this backyard from “OK” to “amazing”. The old concrete around the pool was old and unattractive. We removed it and installed all new concrete, creating the perfect space for new patio furniture. We designed and installed a new outdoor kitchen using sleek modern materials. We made sure to keep the size of the new kitchen to the scale for this small backyard, so it didn’t overwhelm the space by adding only the necessities; a sink, counter space to prep, a grill and oven. While the live landscaping around the pool is minimal, it strategically creates a soft frame that contrasts with the hardscape. Easy-maintenance, water-wise plants were chosen to fit this family’s lifestyle. The finished landscape is a space the entire family can enjoy together.

While this lovely home was already beautiful in its own right, it’s amazing how a landscape refresh can elevate a property from beautiful to enchanting. Due to poor soil health, lawn areas and landscape beds had declined over time. After making significant improvements to the soil in both lawn and bed areas, we installed a new lawn plus shade loving perennials and shrubs around the entire property. Water-wise plants such as oak leaf hydrangeas and hellebore were introduced to make the landscape easier to maintain. However the shady backyard was the perfect location to house a variety of Japanese maple specimens. We added circular natural stonework to the back yard patio to soften the entire space andcreate a more inviting place to relax and entertain. We love this landscape!

Everyone wants to come home to a beautiful welcome. But over time, landscape plantings can become tired and eventually need renovation. We created a fresh welcoming “hello” for family and friends at this traditional stone home by renovating their foundation plantings and creating entry plantings with lush perennials and colorful seasonal blooms. To complement the foundation plantings, the homeowners will now enjoy changing seasonal color to keep the landscape fresh and cheery. A clean edge can make a big difference; we added a substantial natural stone edge to the foundation beds, which creates the perfect frame for the new color plantings. Entryways are a great place to express your personality and style; choose your favorite bright and bold color combinations, or keep it serene with whites and neutrals.

Side yards: They’re kind of like the Cinderella of the landscape. They are often neglected and unattractive; but given some thought and care, they can transform into your favorite part of your landscape. This family wanted to make all their outdoor spaces usable and beautiful, including a neglected side yard. The changes we made were ultimately simple, but made a huge impact on the look and functionality of their space. This west facing side yard is almost completely shaded, but for a few small areas of full sun. In the areas that had enough direct sun, we added a new lush lawn. Under the large established shade tree, we created a stone patio perfect for relaxing or entertaining. It’s also now the perfect place for a grill or fire pit. We filled surrounding beds with ferns and other shade-tolerant easy-care perennials. The side yard, previously an eye sore, has now become a favorite place to relax!

When you’re designing and building a new home, you also have a great opportunity to get the landscape just right from the get go. We were thrilled to be asked to design and install the landscape for this family’s new home build. The home, with its red tile roof and clean lines, called for a landscape that was modern, but with a Mediterranean flair. In order to make the narrow front yard useful for off-street parking, we first created and installed a circular driveway. We then built raised front beds along the front of the home using stone that matched the entryway.

Mix hot Texas summers with a big open backyard and you have yourself a recipe for the perfect pool! The large open backyard of this property was perfect for a new pool and outdoor entertaining areas to make the best use of the space. While the homeowners wanted a pool with a contemporary feel, we also wanted to make sure the materials we used complimented the home. To tie them together, we replaced the original patio and steps with Texas stone to match the new stone retaining wall. Using these materials allowed us to better blend the transition from the home to the pool area. We then installed the new pool with a hot tub area just at the base of the patio steps. The surrounding landscape beds were filled with heat tolerant perennials and shrubs for easy maintenance. Beautiful. We had a hard time leaving!

Designing and installing beautiful landscapes is just the beginning of our journey when it comes to your property. Just as important as a good design, good long-term maintenance is key to keeping your landscape healthy and beautiful. Did you know? Here at Bare Roots, we also provide comprehensive landscape maintenance including mowing, edging, seasonal color plantings, timely fertilization, irrigation repair…everything you’ll need to keep your landscape looking it’s best. Here are a few examples of properties we maintain…

This beautiful landscape embraces the charm of traditional design with vibrant color in shaded areas. By carefully selecting shade-loving plants like caladiums, impatiens, and hostas, we added layers of texture and color. Mature trees provide a natural canopy, creating a peaceful retreat. Classic stone pathways lead guests through lush greenery, while bursts of seasonal blooms brighten the space. The result is a timeless, inviting landscape that feels like a hidden garden sanctuary.

Nestled in the heart of the neighborhood, this property boasts a refined landscape with a touch of Southern charm. Manicured hedges and flowering shrubs line the pathways, while mature oak trees provide shade and grandeur. Vibrant azaleas and hydrangeas add seasonal bursts of color. The outdoor living space seamlessly blends with the surrounding nature, creating an ideal setting for relaxing afternoons and gatherings with loved ones.

At Preston Fairways, we transformed the landscape into a picturesque paradise. Carefully designed planting beds feature a harmonious blend of evergreens, flowering perennials, and ornamental grasses. The layered textures provide year-round interest, while elegant stone borders define the garden spaces. The inviting front entry is framed by colorful blooms, offering a grand welcome to homeowners and guests alike.

Perched on a scenic hillside, Oak Mount offers a landscape that embraces the beauty of its natural surroundings. We designed the outdoor space to highlight the elevation, incorporating terraced gardens with retaining walls made of natural stone. Native plants and drought-tolerant species thrive here, providing vibrant color and texture year-round. Meandering stone pathways lead through the lush greenery, inviting exploration and enjoyment. The elevated views and peaceful atmosphere make Oak Mount a true sanctuary for relaxation and outdoor living.

This landscape design celebrates Scandinavian simplicity with a modern twist. Clean lines, native plants, and natural stone accents create a serene atmosphere. Evergreen shrubs provide structure, while ornamental grasses sway with the breeze. Pops of color from perennials and seasonal flowers add warmth to the design. Every detail enhances the property’s understated elegance, making it a peaceful retreat for the homeowners.

Transporting you to the charm of the French Quarter, this courtyard landscape brings the essence of New Orleans to life. A focal point fountain adds soothing sounds to the space, surrounded by fragrant jasmine and colorful camellias. Decorative brick pathways wind through the lush garden, leading to cozy seating areas. The classic wrought iron accents and flourishing greenery create a space that is both intimate and inviting.

This backyard was reimagined into the ultimate outdoor oasis, featuring a sleek pool and fully equipped kitchen. We used a blend of natural stone and contemporary hardscaping to achieve a polished yet relaxing atmosphere. Tropical plantings add vibrant color and privacy, while soft landscape lighting sets the mood for evening entertainment. The seamless transition from the kitchen to the pool deck makes this space perfect for hosting and enjoying time with family and friends.

We enhanced this front yard with vibrant plants and lush greenery that bring color and life to the space. A majestic tree stands as a natural focal point, providing shade and charm. The combination of thoughtful landscaping and flourishing foliage creates a welcoming and peaceful outdoor environment.

This landscape exudes European elegance with a sophisticated color palette and formal design. Neatly trimmed boxwoods, flowering roses, and ivy-covered walls evoke the charm of a French garden. Gravel pathways and limestone pavers guide visitors through the meticulously maintained grounds. A central fountain serves as the focal point, offering both beauty and the calming sound of flowing water. The Bordeaux landscape is a timeless expression of luxury and refinement.