BIG COUNTRY POCKET PRAIRIE
Project Type: Residential
Location: Abilene, Texas
Year: 2026
Size: 0.15 acres
Blending contemporary architecture into a historic neighborhood created an opportunity to replace the traditional American front lawn with a landscape better suited to the climate and character of the neighborhood. The existing invasive Bermuda lawn was removed and replaced with a layered composition of native grasses, flowering perennials, cacti, yucca, and trees, creating year round texture, movement, and seasonal color with minimal water use.
Originally envisioned as a simplified mass of native grasses, the design evolved into a richer, pollinator focused garden that attracts birds, bees, and butterflies while providing changing displays of color throughout the year. The loose character of the prairie planting is balanced by a strong architectural framework that complements the contemporary lines of the home.
A reclaimed Abilene brick pathway creates a direct connection from the street to the front entry. A sculptural agave within a corten steel planter establishes a bold focal point, while a row of yuccas contrasts against the softer native plantings and guides visitors toward the house. Near the entry, a planter of Opuntia create a transition between the home and landscape.
The result is a resilient, low water landscape that blends contemporary design with the surrounding landscape.
Project Team: Brandon Young, AIA – Architect, Blane Potts, PLA, ASLA – Landscape Architect