San Antonio lies inland from the Gulf coast port of Corpus Cristi in the picturesque Texas hill country where wildflowers and bluebonnets are everywhere in the spring. While the city itself is densely populated, the rural areas outside the urban center are home to ranches and estates. With upscale contemporary architecture matched by elaborate outdoor landscapes that focus on popular Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex cuisine.

San Antonio is best known as the home of the Alamo, where one of the most famous battles was fought against General Santa Ana of Mexico. The character of the city is strongly influenced by its large Hispanic population and many historic Spanish mission sites combined with many new residents seeking a more relaxed lifestyle.

With a very long hot, humid summer, there is big demand for landscapes that feature expansive patios, swimming pools and cooling outdoor living spaces. The heat also drives residents to outdoor entertainment at Splashtown San Antonio, Sea World or the Six Flags Fiesta Texas amusement park. In cooler months visit the national historic parks of the four major mission sites within the greater metropolitan area.

While San Antonio city is high density, a few outlying areas provide more rural subdivisions where family life is top priority. Leon Valley is an example of the smaller cities created during San Antonio’s 20th century growth period. Close to the city center it was a ranching area developed in the 1950s hat today retains affordable housing with sizable lots where backyard landscapes are designed for the larger family lifestyle.

After all, Texas is home to the best barbecue in the world, so it's natural that grilling remains a popular dining option in both modest and luxurious homes. This is so in Converse, a small town that became a suburb of San Antonio in the northeastern corridor along Highway 35 that links this city with Austin. Here the homes are modest and the benefits of ramadas and shade structures are essential to summer living in nearly all backyard landscapes.

Along this same corridor is Universal City, which sits adjacent to Randolph Air Force Base for a strong military influence. This is a community where family life is primary and creating a safe environment for kids through well designed landscapes keeps them at home with sports lawns, play structures and even a swimming pool.

The city of New Braunfels is further along the highway, founded by German immigrants along the Guadalupe River. This outlying community retains its separation from San Antonio and exhibits the small town Texas character with a beautifully preserved downtown area known as the Greune District. The combination of new subdivisions and the old vintage homes gives this community a strong appeal to families young and old.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is the best place to learn more about plants and flowers that can turn your bare backyard into a botanical get-away. With 33 acres of gardens, it remains the center for learning what grows in the area. Don't overlook the Japanese Tea Garden, where locals can see what lends a distinctly Asian character to San Antonio garden design. With a variety of top notch garden centers and landscapers, the mild climate of this city is ideal for turning yards into human habitats that are healthy, beautiful and safe.