Small outdoor spaces don’t have to be boring.  Even though  many zero lot line homes fall victim to landscaping “builder minimums,” there is no reason why you can’t buck the cookie cutter norm and create your own fabulous outdoor space.

The experienced staff at Laurel Oaks Nursery, recently had the pleasure of working with homeowners Carol and Greg Spieth, and their adorable bungalow style, zero lot line  property in Westchase.  They wanted their courtyard to have MORE than just grass and a single East Palatka Holly tree that frankly,  was looking kind of ragged.  The bungalow came complete with a lovely screen lanai, and the Speiths enjoyed relaxing there, even though the view was less than inspiring.

Landscape design at Laurel Oaks Nursery, starts with a site visit, analysis of exposure and light,  plus a tape measure for getting dimensions necessary for the plan.  Next come photographs and a landscape plan created with a high end landscape software.  This software creates photo realistic images of the clients backyard, with proposed plantings.  The ideas of landscaper and designer, come to life in front of the customers eyes, with their own space as a backdrop.

Dave Endress, owner of Laurel Oaks Nursery,  knew that three sizable queen palms would be the perfect anchor for this small backyard.  To the Speiths, wow.. that sounded like too much! When it is  hard to visualize a concept,  Laurel Oaks Nursery  arrives with Nikon in hand  and snaps away.  From the “before” picture above, this design was created.

Hardscape elements like a new paver walkway, a water feature along with lush planned plantings, AND the three queen palms,  made the verbal concept come to life for the Speiths and the word was GO!

As the project began, the existing tree was removed and the site was graded and prepped. The palms were brought in and planted and the rest was a matter of building plant material  around them for maximum impact and visual appeal.   Certain changes were made in plant choices, the paver walkway became a single curved entry, but the three palms now stood sentinel in the small backyard, adding style and shade.

Plants used were selected for low maintenance, visual appeal and include: Duranta Gold Mound, Ixora, Varigated Yucca, Philodendron Seloum (split leaf Philodendron) Crotons, Arboricola, a standard Gardenia, Confederate Jasmine, Areca Palms, Cordylines, and Foxtail Ferns.  Annual planting beds were planted with the seasonal annual petunia.

The transformation is now complete and the Speiths have a new beautiful small space that is the envy of the neighbors and friends. Scroll down to see the actual outcome.   It’s a bird friendly colorful lush landscape with options that can change as seasons permit.  Each photo will display larger if clicked.

The water feature below, was created on site with native Florida limestone boulders. The central rock, is  a stunning hollow piece of natures art, filling and spilling over into a pond-less reservoir, adding  soothing sounds and a dramatic visual element that is close to and visible from the screen lanai.

The Speiths are thrilled with the outcome of their beautiful new backyard space and look forward to watching their plantings mature, creating an  even more lush visual landscape.

If you have a small space (or a large one) you’d like transformed, call Dave Endress at Laurel Oaks Nursery and get the ball rolling towards your own landscape transformation.