Neighborhood Entrance Upgrade – Cottonwood Crossing, Allen, TX
Updating the entrances to a neighborhood doesn’t just improve curb appeal — it sets the tone for the entire community. For this project, Cottonwood Crossing landscaping in Allen, TX asked us to completely refresh both of their entrance monuments with a cleaner, more modern, and low-maintenance landscape design.
Our goal was to create something that stays attractive year-round, reduces maintenance costs, improves visibility around the signage, and complements the surrounding homes and brickwork. We used a combination of native shrubs, ornamental grasses, stone borders, and multiple types of decorative rock to give the entrances a polished new look.
Both monument beds were redesigned using native Texas shrubs and ornamental grasses that handle heat, drought, and seasonal temperature swings extremely well. These plants maintain color and structure throughout the year, meaning far less trimming and long-term maintenance.
We selected plants that grow in layered heights — lower shrubs in front and taller grasses behind — to give shape and dimension without blocking the “Cottonwood Crossing” signage.
To organize the beds for Cottonwood Crossing landscaping and keep material separated long-term, we installed Benda Board edging, creating smooth curves and clean lines around the entire layout. This edging also helps maintain the shape of the beds and prevents mulch or gravel from washing out during heavy rains.
Inside the separated sections, we used a mix of:
- Brown hardwood mulch
- Small Tejas gravel
- Colorado river rock
This combination creates contrast, breaks up the color visually, and ties in beautifully with the natural tones of the site’s brick and stone.
The decorative rock beds also help with drainage and erosion control, which is important for commercial and neighborhood entryways.
Because entrance signs are often blocked by overgrown landscaping, we made sure the new design keeps the “Cottonwood Crossing” lettering clearly visible from both directions. Taller plants were shifted behind the sign, lower shrubs placed in front, and rock channels added to frame the layout instead of hide it.
The final result is cleaner, brighter, and much easier to maintain throughout the year.
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