The team paid close attention to water needs with plant selection, as required by the homeowners association, choosing low-maintenance varieties, pollinator attractors and plants with year-round interest. Two choices were black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia sp.) and coneflower (Echinacea sp.), which are drought-tolerant and attract bees. “We are the Lilac City, so there are some lilacs we planted to nod to that,” Barton says.

They also had to consider some less desirable critters. “There is a lot of wildlife and deer, so we had to plant things that the deer won’t chew on,” Barton says. Lavender and grasses were the team’s top picks.

Outdoor lighting, including tree lights, step lights and lights nestled among the boulders, highlight key features of the home exterior and landscape. Barton notes that the lights are especially welcome in winter, when the yard is more often enjoyed from inside. “It gets you excited for the holidays,” he says. “It’s nice to look out into the landscape and see that depth, and see that snow light up with the landscape lighting.”