Riverplace Shaded Garden Escape

Starting with little more than bare dirt and a handful of mature trees, this Riverplace backyard was transformed into a layered garden sanctuary that feels like it has always belonged there. Decomposed granite flows through the yard in wide, organic curves shaped around the existing tree trunks, with dark steel edging carving out generous planting beds filled with shade-loving hostas, ferns, and ornamental grasses. A built-in brick fire pit anchors the far end of the garden as a natural gathering point, while bamboo planted along the fence line creates a dense privacy screen that softens the boundary without closing the space in. The side yard was given equal attention, with square concrete pavers set into river rock providing a clean utility path between the house and the back gate. String lights thread through the canopy overhead, and the dark stained deck off the back of the house ties seamlessly into the garden below. Every decision in this design started with the trees, and every path, bed, and feature was laid out to let them remain the star.