This residential garden in Denver’s Montclair neighborhood is centered on lush, xeric gardens under mature trees. The front garden replaces a tired lawn with a low-water, gravel garden of native and adaptive species to draw in pollinators and song birds. The back garden, nested beneath the shade of an existing mulberry tree, is a study in contrasts. The back gate opens to a native-forward dry shade garden with lush layers of shrubs, perennials and grasses. The gardens are tied through a warm color palette and are anchored by the couple’s outdoor art collection.

The front gravel garden combines a palette of orange, yellow, pink, sage, and white perennials through layered swathes of grasses—including Pink Mulhy—Muhlenbergia capillaris, Korean Feather Grass—Calamagrostis arundinacea, and Blue Grama—Bouteloua gracilis, that meld with rotating blooms of Purple Coneflower—Echinacea purpurea, Moonbeam Tickseed—Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’, and Sunset Hyssop—Agastache cana.

Two planted mounds flank the entry walk, creating a sense of enclosure as you walk to the front door. Lyons red flagstone, moss rock boulders, and pea gravel complement the antique brick of the house. Native shrubs—Fernbush—Chamaebatiaria millefolium, Kinnikkinnik—Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Lewis’ Mock Orange—Philadelphus lewisii—provide height, winter interest, and scale.