Colleyville, Texas Landscape Makeover: A Brighter Look with Texas Native Plants and Outdoor Lighting
- Marshall Grain Co.
- Dec 13
- 4 min read
Serving homeowners in: Arlington, Bedford, Colleyville, Coppell, Euless, Flower Mound, Grapevine, Keller, Hurst, Irving, Roanoke, Richland Hills, Southlake, Trophy Club.
Sometimes the best landscape makeovers aren’t about adding more—they’re about revealing what’s already there: the architecture, the entry experience, and the character of the home.
In this Colleyville, Texas case study, we transformed an out-of-date, monochromatic front yard into a more open, inviting, contemporary look using low-maintenance native plants, curving bed lines, and a well-designed outdoor lighting plan.
Project snapshot: what changed (and why it mattered)
This landscape renovation focused on three big ideas:
More openness and better curb appeal by removing “visual barriers” and exposing the brickwork and windows.
More texture, color, and seasonal interest by replacing one-note groundcovers with layered planting that includes varied heights and bloom times.
More nighttime beauty + security with exterior lighting designed to highlight architecture and key landscape features.
Before: why the front yard felt closed-off and dated
The original front-yard layout had a few common issues we see in older North Texas landscapes:
Outer beds filled with monochrome monkey grass and Asian jasmine groundcovers
Long, boxed hedges that obscured the front of the home and created a visual barrier
Straight lines + squared-off shrubs that made the landscape feel blocky and flat
Homeowner goals: fresh, open, and low maintenance
The homeowner wanted a landscape that felt more welcoming and contemporary—using a variety of textures and colors to brighten the brickwork, while still keeping the yard low maintenance.
The front yard makeover: 4 design moves that created the “after”
1) Reveal the home’s architecture
By opening up sightlines, the home’s windows and brickwork became a feature again—making the exterior feel brighter and more inviting.
2) Break up the beds with contrasting mulch materials
Instead of one continuous “stripe” of the same look, using different mulch materials helps visually separate zones and adds depth and polish.
3) Use layered plant heights + mixed textures
A mix of shrubs and flowering plants at different heights creates dimension—so the landscape reads as intentional and contemporary rather than flat and repetitive.
4) Build longer-lasting interest with native plant variety
Native plants were used throughout for a low-maintenance landscape with blooms at different times of year—supporting near-year-round color and visual interest.
The backyard: poolside structure, planting, and lighting
The backyard already included a pool and patio, so the updates focused on structure and finish details that elevate the space:
A retaining wall around the pool, planted and enhanced with recessed lighting
Flagstone patterning using dark and light stones to add depth and contrast
Matching flagstone used to create a patio area for a cohesive look
Landscape lighting: the “final touch” that ties it all together
Lighting was added around the home to improve security while creating dramatic effects—highlighting architecture, spotlighting key features like trees, and using shadowing for visual impact.
Lighting idea you can borrow for your own home
If you want a landscape that looks just as good at night as it does during the day, plan lighting as part of the overall design—not as an afterthought. Low-voltage landscape lighting is especially effective for guiding pathways, highlighting focal points, and extending outdoor enjoyment after sunset.
Why “native + organic” landscaping works so well in North Texas
A well-designed native landscape isn’t just pretty—it’s practical. Native and climate-adapted choices can reduce water demand and maintenance, while supporting pollinators and seasonal interest.
And because Marshall Grain is an organic garden center and landscaping company, our projects and maintenance recommendations prioritize organic, eco-friendly practices that build healthier soil and a more balanced landscape ecosystem over time.
Thinking about your own Colleyville landscape makeover?
If your front yard feels “boxed in,” monotone, or dated, a refresh can be as simple as:
softening bed lines,
opening up views to the home,
upgrading plant layers for color/texture,
and adding a lighting plan that creates curb appeal after dark.
For a FREE consultation, call 817-416-6600 or book it online.
FAQ
How do I make my front yard look more modern?
Open up sightlines, use curving bed lines, layer plants by height, and add a few contrasting materials (like different mulches) for depth.
Are native plants really lower maintenance in Colleyville?
They can be—especially when chosen and spaced correctly—because they’re well-suited to local conditions and can offer seasonal interest with less fuss.
What’s the biggest “wow” upgrade besides plants? Outdoor lighting. It boosts safety and makes the landscape feel finished—especially when it highlights architecture and key features.
Can you improve a backyard around a pool without rebuilding everything?
Yes—targeted upgrades like a planted retaining wall, better materials, and recessed lighting can dramatically elevate a poolscape.
Do you offer ongoing organic maintenance?
Yes—Marshall Grain offers ongoing organic maintenance options tailored to each property (please note: we do not offer mowing).
