Barefoot in the sand

A 6-inch-deep ribbon of fluffy pink sand meanders through beachy grasses (including Sesleria and Muhlenbergia) in this Malibu garden. ­Arbutus ‘Marina’ trees add shade while pale yellow ‘Graham Thomas’ roses and kangaroo paws fleck the “dunes” with sunny color.

The best part? It's cheap and easy to create: Dig a channel 6 inches deep in the soil, then just pour in the sand. At a building-supply yard, you’ll pay $52 to $62 for a ton—enough to cover about 43 square feet.