Gardens evolve constantly as trees and shrubs grow. A well-designed, mature garden uses less water, has fewer weeds, and attracts more wildlife than new landscaping.

While formal gardens aren't currently "fashionable", there are instances in which they are the most appropriate style. This house (neo-Victorian farmhouse), setting (country estate), and site (circular driveway island) all lend themselves well to a formal approach.

The house is the backdrop for any front yard landscaping. Plantings and structures must therefore be sympathetic in tone and style to the architecture of the house. The reds and purples of “Rose Glow” barberry, weeping purple beech, “Royal Purple” smoke tree and ornamental oregano complement the roof and accent colors in this unusual Mediterranean-inspired entryway.

This rustic country garden has a whimsical identity all it's own. Found objects and pieces of sculpture or art can add personality to a landscape.

Paths are often the unifying element in larger landscapes. This crushed rock and flagstone path begs you to explore, while the sitting area invites you to rest.

Wine country vistas are a stunning backdrop to any garden.

Sitting areas are usually most effective close to the house, but in this instance the view, morning sun, and proximity to the garden studio make this spot a welcoming retreat.

Kate Anchordoguy Landscaping, Inc. practices sustainable landscape principles on every job. In particular, we try to incorporate locally available materials whenever possible. This old dough machine was found rusting in the weeds at Mom's Apple Pie in Sebastopol. Painted and plumbed, it was resurrected to serve as part historical relic, part focal point in an outdoor dining area.

These top two photos are from Kate’s personal garden, and show how the passage of time and seasonal changes reveal the designer’s vision.

Dramatic lines, creative concrete work and a restrained plant palette create a memorable sense of place.

The warm colors of the late season garden mark summer’s end.

A trio of upright rocks echoes the vertical lines of this home designed by House and House. The clean forms of modern architecture are best complemented by a corresponding simplicity in the landscape. This is not the house for the cottage garden look!

Ornamental grasses evoke a meadow while smooth black stones represent water. The archetypes found in nature – mountain, forest, meadow, water – are recreated in the gardens we make.

One of the challenges of a country garden is softening the interface between the landscaped and wild areas. Here, earthen berms are used to screen the demarcation between the two. Ornamental grasses, because they occur in both settings, are used as a transition plant.

Even a small side yard can become an inviting oasis with the addition of water. In addition to serving as an instant focal point, ponds attract dragonflies and birds, and fountains and waterfalls can mitigate background noises such as traffic. Properly designed and installed, a small ornamental pool can be affordable and require only minimal maintenance.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This rusted culvert fragment was rescued from a roadside trash heap.