Mathis Designs

A great landscape doesn't just look beautiful. It improves the way you live.
For this client, we designed a private wellness retreat just steps from their back door, complete with a sauna, outdoor shower, and custom steel trellises that will soon be covered in Tangerine Beauty crossvine, creating a living wall of privacy and seasonal color.
There's something uniquely restorative about showering outdoors. The fresh air, natural light, and connection to the landscape can help reduce stress, improve mood, and encourage us to slow down for a few moments each day. Paired with the sauna, this space becomes more than a backyard feature. It becomes a daily ritual.
The best outdoor spaces aren't just places to spend time. They're places that help you feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally.
If your landscape isn't supporting the life you want to live, let's change that.
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How cute are these Frog Fruit?!
Frog fruit (Phyla nodiflora) is one of our favorite groundcovers for Central Texas landscapes. It spreads gently across the ground, softens hard edges, and produces the sweetest little blooms that pollinators absolutely love.
What makes it even better? It's native to Texas.
Once established, frog fruit is remarkably tough. It can handle our heat, periods of drought, and even light foot traffic, making it a fantastic alternative to thirsty turf in the right setting. Butterflies are especially drawn to its flowers, so don't be surprised if your garden suddenly becomes a little more lively.
A few care tips:
• Plant in full sun to part shade
• Water regularly while establishing, then only during extended dry periods
• Give it room to spread and fill in naturally
• Trim occasionally if you want a tidier look, but it's happy growing a bit wild
We love using frog fruit in pathways, between stepping stones, spilling over walls, and anywhere a landscape could use a softer, more natural feel.
Proof that some of the smallest plants can make the biggest impact.
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