Here's a small sampling of the gardens we've created over the years and glimpse of current projects in progress.
Native Oak woodland Garden - Los Altos
Native Oak Woodland Garden - This design utilizes a native plant palette to create a living screen for the back patio from neighboring homes along the North - California wax myrtles are planted between existing oak trees with California silk tassle trees filling the voids while ceanothus, toyon, and witch hazel celebrate the seasons with floriferous spring canopies, fall color and berries at focal points. Drought tolerant architecture shrubs, succulents, and flowering perennials add shots of seasonal color for year-round interest. Redwood 6x6 timber steps and mulch pathways are flanked with boulders making a dynamic informal pathway. The curvilinear pathways frame the garden beds and gracefully transition the 10 foot elevation drop from the deck off the kitchen to the back patio. A water feature, large garden sculpture and landscape lighting add contrast and support a meditative and inviting atmosphere day or night.
Take a video tour of the Native Oak Woodland Design!
The Victory Garden - Santa Cruz
This Victory Garden features an outdoor kitchen, firepit lounge, dining area, fruit tree orchard, berry patches, raised veggie beds and a potting bench/garden shed. The extensive perennial and annual garden edibles engage interest for the eye and taste buds throughout the seasons. Maintenance is minimized thanks to a versatile irrigation system, gopher wire and proper mulching techniques.
This edible oasis features a citrus grove, 16 high-density hedge row fruit trees, 12 types of blueberries, 8 types of raspberries, 4 types of blackberries, 4 types of strawberries, raised veggie beds, a potato bin, grapes, kiwis and pineapple guavas!
We needed to create an additional 6 seats to meet the 12 person dining capacity identified in the questionnaire process. This 12 ft live edge redwood slab bar top was the perfect solution. The bar top was locally sourced and is the byproduct of a hazardous tree removal. It is the crowning piece of all the woodwork on site and is a beautiful tribute to grandeur and majesty of redwood.
In the spirit of common ground, we enjoy creatively collaborating with our clients when possible. This garden required a plethora of various projects to complete it. I asked my client if she was interested in putting a personal touch on the project by installing a mosaic to complete the banding on the outdoor kitchen patio. This is what she came up with.
Seabright Plaza - Santa Cruz
Sometimes we get opportunities to alleviate some of the negative effects of the urban heat island effect. This garden design needed to be rugged enough to withstand the xeric garden beds, the rigors of a busy shopping center, and heavily trafficked intersection. Succulents and kangaroo paw create long lived seasonal color, while the queen palms, cordyline and birds of paradise solidify a beach town vibe.
