Designed by: Randy Graves, Madison Planting and Design Group, Canton, Miss., www.mpdg.net

Project value range: $25,000-$100,000

The owners inherited an overgrown, poorly designed landscape when purchasing their new residence. The site had major drainage issues and no access to any usable outdoor spaces.

The purchasing of additional parcels of land from two adjacent properties was vital in allowing the project to take shape.

Order was brought to the chaos using simple materials and construction techniques. Severe drainage problems were corrected while enhancing the aesthetics of the space.

Plantings include a variety of native plants, as well as a mixture of trees and shrubs that bloom during each season of the year.

Additional elements of this project include night lighting, irrigation (including drip irrigation for planters), and an exterior sound system. Formal cobble paver walks transcend to crushed slag walks throughout the more natural area.

A perfect home retreat was completed by creating a meditation garden and a sitting area with fire pit, both set in lush, naturalistic plantings.

This project was entered in PLANET's 38th annual Environmental Improvement Awards program. For more information on the program, visit www.landcarenetwork.org.