Garden Designers

Garden designers possess high levels of knowledge and discernment when it comes to design principles, plants and ecological systems. Working in Houston landscapes, Exterior Worlds’ ultimate goal is to develop a yard landscape design that will meet the needs and goals of our clients—and in the process, create a thing of beauty.

As specialists known as one of the top landscaping firms in the region, Exterior Worlds displays dexterity in working in the two basic systems of garden designs: formal and natural designs. We also pay attention to the long-term character of these projects, including their maintenance requirements.

Do you have a remodeling project on the horizon such as a backyard remodeling job? As garden designers, we can help you work through the myriad decisions about what to keep, what to take out, and what to re-do. Our clients have found that, in the long run, it saves them money since we bring a fresh eye and energy to the looks of your property—something that you thought there was no hope for might only need a touch of restoration.

For projects that are particularly comprehensive, we can discuss the possibility of landscape phasing. In this process, the design is implemented over time using incremental steps, giving you the opportunity to space out your cash outlay but still follow a logical plan. An example of such a plan for softscapes:

• In phase one, we concentrate on the plantings by the house
• In the second phase, we design the beds in the side yard.
• In the third step, we concentrate on specialty plantings, such as a rose garden.

A garden designer focuses on more than plants and their placement, however. We also apply our expertise to the hardscapes of your landscape design. For example, if softscapes are not factored in, a swimming pool landscape design can quickly become hard-edged and unforgiving, something we always avoid.

Likewise, landscapers don’t simply rely on the big, flashy elements. In fact, we have found that the really pleasing affects are often small touches. An antique ornamental iron element may add character and uniqueness to the overall design. Or perhaps a custom iron wall planter—or series of them—in just the right place can quietly complete the ambiance. Expertise in both big and small choices exemplifies the very best landscape designers.

As garden designers with an abundance of education, enthusiasm and experience, we provide a wealth of knowledge to clients who want a special theme for their garden. French gardens, a garden theme that works well in the flat topography of the Gulf Coast, are popular here. Like some parts of France, our coastal plains naturally invite the formal garden beds used in knot gardens and parterre gardens, which are integral to French gardens. As another example, Zen gardens, which have their origins in the desire to represent complex and universal truths in simple forms, use sand and stone to create meditative spaces. In keeping with our basic business philosophy, Exterior Worlds will work with you on what works best for your specific site while still meeting your wants and preferences.

Butterfly Garden Design

Who designed the Butterfly Garden at Hunters Creek Elementary School?

Hunters Creek Elementary School is located at 10650 Beinhorn Rd, Houston, TX 77024. This year Exterior Worlds had the great honor of donating a landscape design for a new butterfly garden in memory of Mrs. Kellie Sewell. The children really enjoy watching the day to day evolution of the project. The garden was completed in April 2008 and the teachers and children have begun using the garden for an outdoor classroom.

When challenged with creating a butterfly garden for a public school, one must always consider a low maintenance design. By using durable materials such as gravel, stone, boulders and native drought resistant plants we created a garden that should survive the rigors of drought, require minimal maintenance, and hard play. The final garden composition consists of a circular stone entry beneath a beautiful scenic mural serving as a backdrop to two seated courtyard gardens. Large boulders and long benches create opportunities for two outdoor classrooms as well as intimate seating spaces for teachers and students between classes. Multi-truck trees such as Bottle Brush are planted for vertical interest and shade. Grasses and butterfly attractors such as Butterfly Bush, Butterfly Iris, Milkweed, Hamelia, Russelia and Turks Cap are grouped throughout the garden. The entire landscape is planted in gravel for easy weed maintenance and completely eliminates the need for annual mulching.
We hope the garden will inspire creativity, imagination and be a source of inspiration and renewal for years to come. Special thanks also to the many parents who have donated their time, energy and finances in making the beautifully painted wall mural a reality.

What other low maintenance elements can you add to your garden? Here are some design ideas for low maintenance landscapes:
• Choose drought-resistant plants, like pampas grass, Plumbago, and Lantana. You might even choose older rose varieties, which are hardier than modern large-flowered hybrids. Many times these old varieties don’t require as much spraying.
• Avoid plants that need continuous pruning, like boxwood and dwarf yaupons (often used in hedges).
• Stay away from plants, such as azaleas, that are susceptible to diseases or insect problems.
• Mulching can be eliminated by using gravel, which rarely needs to be replaced.
• The use of gravel instead of mulch also cuts down on weeds and helps retains soil.
• Use ground covers that don’t need regular pruning and will cover the ground so that weeds are controlled. This type of ground cover is another choice that eliminates or reduces mulching.
• Maximize your annual flowers by installing flowers in planters, urns or bowls to lower the costly replacements season to season. Even eliminate the flowers completely and install perennials, which never need to be replaced.

Call the experts at Exterior Worlds—713-827-2255—and get their landscaping ideas for your home. Exterior Worlds has been providing memorial landscaping designs and services for fine neighborhoods such as Memorial, Tanglewood, West University, and the greater Houston area since 1987.