Below is a photo slideshow with before and after images of a residential landscape renovation that we completed in fall of last year:

Related Posts:

• Going from “builder bushes” to an Attractive and Unique Landscape
• Scenes from a Colorado Garden – June 2010
• What Not to Do – Turfgrass in Parking Lot Islands
• Outdoor Design Group Designing Landscape for New Assisted Living Project
• What Not to Do- Placing Irrigation Heads Next to Fencing

This $400,000 project entailed correcting some serious drainage problems and replacing outdated high water-use landscaping with new low water-use landscaping as part of Aurora’s Xeriscape Rebate Program.  Outdoor Design Group worked with the HOA to design the improvements, submit plans to the City for approval, and apply for the Xeriscape rebate.  We then worked with the general contractor in the field on the re-grading of large areas, piping of downspouts, and the creation of drainage swales.  Finally, we provided bid procurement services for installation of the approved landscape and irrigation design, and worked closely in the field with the selected landscape contractor to complete the project.

Through careful planning, design, and coordination, we were able to obtain the maximum possible Xeriscape rebate for the HOA while reducing the water-use and associated costs by over 60%.  The maintenance costs for the landscaping are expected to be reduced by 20-40% with the new low-maintenance approach.

Related Posts:

• Up to $25,000 Rebates Available through 2010 Aurora Xeriscape Program
• Save Money and Water by Converting Sod to Xeriscape
• The Top 10 Benefits of Making Landscaping More Water Efficient
• How Much of my Water Goes Toward Irrigating my Landscaping?
• Going from “builder bushes” to an Attractive and Unique Landscape

Notice the overgrown and poorly placed shrubs that the builder had originally put in (in the “before” slides).  Not much thought went into the original plant selection.  I can’t blame the builder entirely, as they typically hire a landscape company to knock out a bunch of inexpensive landscapes in one fell swoop.  But this goes to show that a poor landscape design can have a negative lasting impact on a builder/developer’s image.  It may have looked OK the day it was installed, but they chose plants that were too large for the space- not to mention downright boring.  A couple of rows of 4 shrubs of the same species doesn’t cut it if you want to be competitive today with buyers and homeowners.

With our help, the owners now have a well thought-out landscape that will also require less maintenance and water.  No more mowing and trimming all that sod right up against the back fence-  instead they can enjoy plantings and a water feature to look at out their back window and from their deck!

Related Posts:

• Arvada Residential Landscape Makeover
• Xeriscape Rebate Programs Provide a Great Opportunity for HOA’s and other Property Owners
• Scenes from a Colorado Garden – June 2010
• Up to $25,000 Rebates Available through 2010 Aurora Xeriscape Program
• Collecting Rainwater Still Illegal in Much of Colorado