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
A Gardeners Journal
The interior and the exterior blend seamlessly which is the goal.
A Gardeners Journal
Landscape lighting makes all the difference in the world.
A Gardeners Journal
The dining room with a view.
A Gardeners Journal
The view from the dining room.
A Gardeners Journal
The interior has as many layers of interest as the exterior which is as it should be. David Morello
A Gardeners Journal
Fall foliage.
A Gardeners Journal
A giant vessel as a water feature.
A Gardeners Journal
April 2022
A Gardeners Journal
April 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Summer 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Summer 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Summer 2022
A Gardeners Journal
summer 2022
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A Gardeners Journal
Summer 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Summer 2022
A Gardeners Journal
August 2022
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Summer 2022
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A Gardeners Journal
Bird, butterfly, bee, beneficial insect heaven.
A Gardeners Journal
Back Garden with an artistic filter applied. Summer 2022
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A Gardeners Journal
Late summer 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Filter applied to the original photo. Late Summer 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Late Summer 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Late Summer 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Late Summer 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Late Summer 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Late Summer 2022
A Gardeners Journal
View from the kitchen.
A Gardeners Journal
Fall 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Fall 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Fall 2022
A Gardeners Journal
Fall 2022
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A Gardeners Journal
November 2022
A Gardeners Journal
An eclectic collection with one of everything (almost) With a filter.
River Oaks IV
Spring 2023 Dusk.