A Gardeners Journal

This densely planted, constantly changing garden is located in the Houston Heights district and is, for this homeowner with a passion for gardening, a work in progress and is ever changing. The style is park-like-wildlife-habitat and features no grass, many varieties of both shade and flowering trees, a water feature (a reliable source of water is critical for the wildlife), many fragrant plants, perennials, and annuals. A circular terrace constructed of dove grey field stone is the main terrace for entertaining. The entire garden lines up with the central axis of the house and main living areas for an incredible view from inside. Every window of the house affords lush, green views. Music is piped into the garden from the house audio system and can be enjoyed from all areas of the garden. The house was purchased by the homeowner in 1997 and immediately the garden transformation began. The Before (1997) and during photos of this cottage style bungalow are here for your review and enjoyment. These gardens are a great source of joy for the homeowner and has been published no less than a dozen times in various publications. To see which visit DMGE.com.

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Tucked away in plain sight is this focal point visible from most angles in this garden. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Summer solstice 2016 David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Watching over the garden delights. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

What a view David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

What a view David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

A marvelously ecletic collection of what the home owner loves. Some might say over done but I disagree because it's my garden. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

A marvelously eclectic collection of what the homeowner loves. Some might say overdone but I disagree because it's my garden. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

A marvelously eclectic collection of what the homeowner loves. Some might say overdone but I disagree because it's my garden. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

A marvelously eclectic collection of what the homeowner loves. Some might say overdone but I disagree because it's my garden. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Living behind the flowers. David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Structure with an abundance of informal plantings in the flower lover's garden. Are those tulips that I see? David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

In a mild winter in Houston the Mexican Flame Vine (orange flowers) delights. David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Old fashioned yes but geraniums still have their time and place. David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Late winter 2016 and the tail end of Don Quixote pink Holland tulips. David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Late winter 2016. A mild winter and a Mexican Flame vine (orange flowers), always delights. David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Tulips are annuals in Houston but who cares? David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Flagstone artistry. David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Semi circular boxwood clipped to almost an inch of their lives. David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Spring 2015, Cottage style zero lawn planting with garden metal trellis. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas in full bloom. This photo appeared in the Houston Chronicle. Spring 2015 David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

World's Favorite Holland tulips do very well in Houston. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

The day the national publication Southern Living came calling. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

The day the national publication Southern Living came calling. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

How prolific we are at DMGE. David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Mexican Plum tree in full bloom. David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

This is only part of the reason we grow snapdragons. David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

Complimentary colors. Do you like this? David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

More cool-season annuals David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

The World's Favorite tulip. David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

This photo represents my first attempt at my back garden. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

The first garden after I bought the home. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

The first garden after I bought the home. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Garden vignette David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Zinnias from seed David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

More zinnias from seed. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

More California giant zinnias from seed. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Symmetry in wildlife habitat. The back garden. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Late March 2014 finds the state flower of Texas (bluebonnets) in full bloom. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

This photo made it in the Houston Chronicle. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

A container arrangement. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Craftsman Style Cottage Spring 2014 David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

World's Favorite Holland Tulips David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

The front garden. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Tulips getting ready to pop out. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Cottage-style plantings. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Spirea is a favorite. Also called 'Bridals Wreath.'

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Christmas time in the garden. David Morello

Before and After

Moments after a tropical shower. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Peggy Martin Climbing Roses and a place to take a load off and enjoy them. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Peggy Martin Climbing Rose David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Delphiniums and the walk to the back door. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Welcome Home David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Spring 2013 David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Spring 2013 David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Foxglove is a bit rare in Houston but they can be had. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Baby bluejay just hopped out of the nest. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Newly out of the nest is this baby bluejay. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Cool-season annuals. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Such happy and healthy cool-season annuals. Takes a lot of TLC. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Such a pretty composition is this Sedum. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Patience is needed to train the fig ivy to grow on the face of the step risers. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Cranberry red water feature and Forest pansy red bud tree. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

A climbing rose adds beauty. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Dwarf Oleander and Mallow Rose, just stunning together. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

The rose mallow. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Such a color study are the berries of this house plant. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

The beginning of the circle garden. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

What a beautiful composition. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Morning doves from Smith and Hawken. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Caldwell pink antique rose. David Morello

Miscellaneous Gardens and Pretty Things

Bleeding heart clerodendrum on a Monet trellis. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

A wildlife habitat and cottage-style plantings. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Climbing rose on a fence that separated my home from the office. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

How very lush is this? David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

A gift from Smith and Hawken. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Nearly perfect. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Magical at night. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Spartan juniper behind the fountain. David Morello, Elizabeth Grai

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

The circle garden. David Morello, Elizabeth Grai

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Guarding the front porch. David Morello, Elizabeth Grai

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

When my home and garden were featured in the Heights garden tour. David Morello, Elizabeth Grai

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Magenta! David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Detail of a stone plinth. David Morello, Elizabeth Grai

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

The cover of a magazine. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

The tunnel as dubbed by Kathy Huber David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

David Morello Garden Enterprises, Inc. Made the cover of the garden section of the Houston Chronicle for the umpteenth time with this photo Christmas card.

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

The hand-drawn garden plan. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Newly constructed walk to curb and cool season annuals. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

Flower lover garden David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

No end to our creativity. David F Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

After (2013) This cottage style garden is a wildlife habitat and a cutting garden affording spectacular views from inside. Layer upon layer of interest.

Zero Lawn Xeriscape - Return of the Native

After March 2016. A scout for Southern Living magazine visited and as a result, we were published nationally for the second time. David Morello

Heights Garden

Published nationally for the second time. This is Southern Living magazine. David Morello

A Personal Scrapbook

The morning after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. David Morello

A Personal Scrapbook

A rare snowfall for Houston, circa 2018. David Morello

Zero Lawn Xeriscape

The before image circa 1997. David Morello

A Personal Scrapbook

Sights of Spring. Tulips create such anticipation from the moment they are planted.

A Personal Scrapbook

Inside looking outside. David Morello

Miscellaneous Garden Gems

The view from the central axis of the home David Morello

Memorial

A new mahogany side door that was custom designed and fabricated David Morello

Memorial

Zinnias spilling over onto the front walkway David Morello

Memorial

Bauhinia or orchid tree David Morello

Memorial

After and right around the time Southern Living magazine came calling David Morello

Memorial

Garden Party David Morello

West University Place

Misty morning light David Morello

A Personal Scrapbook

A constantly evolving garden that happens to be mine. Testament to our creativity. David Morello

Bunker Hill Village

A Gardeners Journal

What can I say? Fountains are the backdrop music in the garden. David Morello

A Gardeners Journal

The garden should be a reflection of the interiors. David Morello

A Gardeners Journal

The brilliant humble zinnia, freshly cut from the garden. David Morello

A Gardeners Journal

Sunshine ligustrum is the new boxwood and is much easier to grow. David Morello

A Gardeners Journal

The circle garden is its name. Sunshine ligustrum is the new boxwood and is much easier to grow. David Morello

West University Place

The garden guru gets some R&R.

West University Place

Lenny the cat's favorite tree for climbing. David Morello

West University Place

The circles start at the sidewalk and are a theme throughout this garden.

A Gardeners Journal

In the circle garden, nary a straight line. This path leads to some place mysterious. David Morello

A Gardeners Journal

More of the circle garden.

A Gardeners Journal

This specimen Dahoon holly awaits a new home. David Morello

A Gardeners Journal

The perennial bed. Plants in this frame are sunshine ligustrum, coleus, night-blooming jasmine, oakleaf hydrangea, angels trumpet, fox tail fern. David Morello