Picture perfect patios

An old proverb once said that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true, Damon Lang’s new book, “Outdoor Spaces in the Southwest,” could fill an entire encyclopedia.

The new book is filled with hundreds of pictures that depict how beautiful and diverse desert landscaping can be.

“I’m always inspired by books. People are always buying books, and most of the time it’s for the images,” said the president of Green Planet Landscaping in Las Vegas. “You can always offer your own interpretation of an idea. It’s kind of how a song can have different meanings to different people.”

He has his own collection of inspiring landscape books, but said he is constantly disappointed that they don’t show desert landscapes.

“I always felt left out, thinking that could never happen in Vegas. I can’t use that plant material here.”

With his book, he found a way to show others what is possible in the desert — and it doesn’t have to be all xeriscape.

Lang featured 10 projects, each with a different theme or focus. Included are tropical, Zen-like, contemporary and formal designs.

Although some of the projects were high end, Lang said he didn’t want to showcase landscapes that made readers feel like they could never see any of the features in their own yards. “I included things that anybody can pick out and use in their yard. There are elements that can be incorporated into any yard whether it is big or small.”

Most importantly, he said his ideas can be used anywhere in the desert Southwest, or anywhere else in the world, and tailored to meet an individual’s style or budget.

Part of what makes his designs successful is that Lang concentrates on more than just the plants. His company also is licensed in masonry and water features.

“There are no rules in landscape. I like to mix elements together; you can do xeriscape and contemporary together so long as it flows.”

For that reason, he said it was important for him to provide practical information that readers of the book could use in creating their own landscapes. He included conceptual renderings of each of the projects featured, as well as keys for the types of plants and building materials used.

“When I go through other books, I always want to know what is that.”

He also included a list of what he believes are good principles of design and basic elements necessary in a successful landscape, among these are knowing what the primary purpose or function of each area will be.

Additionally, Lang said he is extremely conscious of the desert environment and his designs are environmentally friendly, including those with water features.

“Whenever possible, I guide clients to incorporate green products and drought-tolerate xeriscape,” he writes in the book’s preface.

Lang said the idea of writing the book was presented to him by the publisher, who had originally contacted him after seeing several photographs on his company’s Web site. “They were doing a book on outdoor kitchens and requested some of my images. I sent 92 images and they used them all.”

Area residents can meet Lang and purchase copies of his book during a book signing Sunday. The event is set from 1-3 p.m. Sunday at Borders, 10950 W. Charleston Blvd. Proceeds from sales will be donated to an area veteran’s hospital.