As we age, upkeep and ease of care becomes more and more important. This front garden, designed for a couple in their late 70’s, hits all the trigger words; low maintenance, drought tolerant, water wise, pollinator friendly, and - of course - makes a welcoming statement for an entry garden, as it draws you inside. We removed tired, over-pruned trees and shrubs, and reworked and embellished an old dry riverbed (see Before photo). We added boulders, and built up berms to make the river “flow” more naturally, and planted with an eye on strategically placed focal points, texture and form. The blue gray color of the fence informed the color palette, as it serves as a datum throughout the entire composition.