Sometimes, it’s easier to talk about what something is not, rather than what it is. Earthwise landscaping is not a matter of “letting things go.” It does not mean you have to give up the lawn (though reducing it might be a good idea if you have more than you use). It also is not a design style—such as naturalistic, Mediterranean, English or traditional style. And it certainly does not exclude beautiful gardens with your favorite annuals, perennials and bulbs. Hopefully, it encourages more of those! It’s more an attitude, based on a few common-sense principles. These principles can be applied to most landscaping styles, and in all regions of the country (since one of the principles, after all, is celebrating your regional diversity). Here are some examples:

LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA 

These bedroom doors open up to a California hillside. Close to the house, landscape designer Konrad Gauder chose well-adapted Mediterranean herbs and evergreen perennials to serve as ground covers because they require very little supplemental watering. They are fragrant and flowering. Many are edible as well, and they attract honey bees and butterflies to the backyard. This area provides access to activity areas, so a path and low-maintenance ground covers were excellent choices.

FERNANDINA BEACH, FLORIDA 

Across the country, developers are creating new kinds of communities (often referred to as "new towns") in which the housing units vary in size and style, homes often include front porches or patios that open up onto community lawns or gardens, and the rear of the house (where you'll find parking, trash recepticles and utility boxes) are accessible by small alleys. This house is located in one of those communities in Fernandina Beach, Florida. While the neighborhood is not devoid of lawn, this grouping of houses shares a naturalistic-style strolling garden filled with many native trees and plants.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

This house sits on a tiny lot in an in-town neighborhood, where space is at a premium--so why waste it on lawn? Landscape architect Jeni Webber has transformed the space into a semi-formal garden (strong architectural lines, but loose plantings) for the birds by including a birdbath, plants and a birdhouse (not shown). This photo was taken just days after installation. Since then, a custom-designed wrought-iron fence has been added and the plantings have all filled it. Neighbors apparently visit as often as the birds!

MILL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

There are lots of growing children in this household, so play space was a must. Landscape designer Michelle Derviss created a smooth path that loops around the backyard for tricycles and carts. Ground-cover mulch provides a soft landing beneath a play structure. And a small lawn (left) is used for soccer, baseball, and games of tag. Remaining spaces were devoted to grown-up or family activities, as this backyard also features a garden, spa, vine-covered arbor with a hammock, and a deck for dining. Far sections of the property, which aren't used for outdoor activities, are covered in trees, shrubs and low-maintenance ground covers.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Architect Rob Norris lives, appropriately, on Garden Lane in Atlanta. In addition to renovating the older home that he purchased, he updated the landscape. This is his front yard. It still has some lawn, but more than half of the semi-shaded space has been turned into lush garden areas. He has mixed favorite non-natives like foxglove and mophead hydranges that so typify the South, with ferns and small ornamental trees. His driveway is crushed pea gravel, that allows water to soak back into the ground and makes a wonderful crunching sound to annouce the arrival of guests.