During the hurricane force winter winds of 1995, this overgrown property had been denuded when a huge conifer bit the dust. Our design challenge was threefold: to create privacy for the house and garden and provide parking space for two cars, while still conforming to a legal height limit of three feet at the outside corner where two streets meet.

After a multilevel screening fence was chosen to solve our privacy issues, we proceeded to determine a theme for the garden. Birds and butterflies got the nod, and from there the garden seemed to design itself.

Arbutus, Buddleia, Citrus, Cornus, Correa and Lavender came from our habitat-friendly lists. Add to those the columnar water feature, and you soon will have a garden filled with wonderful creatures.

As a finishing touch, set cast stone pavers in sand, bring out the garden furniture, mix cocktails and sit until done.