PDF - Elk Grove Greener Gardens

1
‘Zenfully’ Green
Plant list
1. California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica
2. Japanese Garden Juniper, Juniperus
procumbens ‘Nana’
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
3. Butterfly Iris, Dietes bicolor
4. Orange New Zealand Sedge, Carex testacea
5. Blue Fescue, Festuca ovina glauca
6. Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
7. Chinese Fringe Flower, Loropetalum chinense
8. Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Cedrus atlantica
‘Glauca pendula’
9. Horsetail Reed, Equisetum hyemale
This garden has a ‘zen’ vibe and feels like a secret meditation area nestled in a
forested meadow. The palette of evergreens including Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar,
Redwood and a variety of junipers gives the garden strong structure. Clustered
stone and vertical basalt ground the garden. These are softened by ornamental
grasses like Blue Fescue, Creeping Red Fescue and Zebra Grass.
10. Creeping Red Fescue, Festuca rubra
This ‘greener’ garden benefits from a northern exposure which reduces its daily
water requirements and exposure to late afternoon sun and heat.
14. Variegated Lemon Thyme, Thymus x
citriodorus ‘Variegata’
On our visit to the garden we were pleasantly surprised to see a pair of native
California Carpenter Bees flitting about. Something good is happening in this
garden if it’s attracting native pollinators!
11. Zebra Grass, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’
12. Variegated Pittosporum, Pittosporum tobira
‘Variegata’
13. Mugho Pine, Pinus mugho
15. Shore Juniper, Juniperus conferta
16. Sea Thrift, Armeria maritima californica
17. Hens and Chicks, Echeveria imbricata
18. Japanese Persimmon, Diospyros kaki
19. Moonglow Juniper, Juniperus scopulorum
‘Moonglow’
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
20. Aloe Vera, Aloe vera
To assist you, all plants listed above have
been labeled by number in the landscape.
Check them out!
3
Relaxing Renovation
Plant list
1. Golden Breath of Heaven,
Coleonema pulchrum ‘Sunset Gold’
2. Dwarf Meyer Lemon, Citrus x meyeri
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
3. Rozanne Cranesbill Geranium,
Geranium x ‘Rozanne’
4. Mexican Feather Grass, Nasella
tenuissima
5. Sago Palm, Cycas revoluta
6. Trailing Rosemary, Rosmarinus
officinalis ‘Irene’
7. Star Jasmine, Trachelospermum
jasminoides
This renovation went from a traditional tract home front yard of turf and more turf, to a
relaxing courtyard surrounded by an attractive landscape.
The renovation begins with a wide walkway of warm toned stamped concrete accented
by smooth banding that leads to the courtyard. A beautiful ceramic urn signals your
arrival to the courtyard and the low stucco wall with precast concrete cap creates
sufficient privacy and enclosure. The space is amply sized for a seating arrangement to
accommodate morning coffee, an afternoon book or a visit with friends or neighbors.
A focal point and additional ambiance is provided by the wall fountain against the
house. Now isn’t that better than lawn!
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
The landscape consists of low to moderate water using plants with a variety of dark
and lime green foliage. Seasonal blooms are provided by Golden Breath of Heaven
and Fringe Flower in the spring and Lavender, Rosemary and Santa Barbara Daisy in
the summer. The fruitless olive tree is situated perfectly to shade the courtyard in the
late afternoon as it matures. Earth toned lava rock provides mulch on the ground plane
and is a perfect complement to the terracotta tones in the tile roof. In addition, a dwarf
citrus tree will provide fruit for years to come!
(Landscape design and installation by Jeff
Cookson, Cosumnes River Landscape)
To assist you, all plants listed on the
right have been labeled by number in the
landscape. Check them out!
8. Fruitless Olive, Olea europaea
‘’Wilsonii’
9. Hidcote English Lavender, Lavandula
angustifolia ‘Hidcote’
10. Chinese Fringe Flower, Loropetalum
chinense
11. Maori Queen New Zealand Flax,
Phormium ‘’Maori Queen’
12. Lemon Thyme, Thymus x citriodorus
13. Santa Barbara Daisy, Erigeron
karvinskianus
14. Japanese Sedge, Carex hachijoensis
‘Evergold’
15. Gardenia, Gardenia jasminoides
16. Electric Pink Balconia® Rose, Rosa
floribunda Balconia® ‘Electric Pink’
17. American Smaragd Cedar, Thuja
occidentalis ‘Smaragd’
18. Tropicana Hybrid Tea Rose, Rosa
‘Tropicana’
19. Mister Lincoln Hybrid Tea Rose,
Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’
20. Perfume Delight
Hybrid Tea Rose,
Rosa ‘Perfume
Delight’
4
River-Friendly Renovation
Plant list
Elk Blue Rush, Jucus patens ‘Elk Blue’
2.
Bronze Sedge, Carex comans ‘Bronze’
3.
Limemound Spiraea, Spiraea x bumalda
‘Limemound’
4.
Spanish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas
‘Otto Quast’
5.
Moonshine Yarrow, Achillea ‘Moonshine’
6.
Dwarf Kangaroo Paw, Anigozanthus ‘Bush
Ranger’
7.
Feather Reed Grass, Calamagrostis x acutiflora
‘Karl Foerster’
8.
Scotch Heather, Calluna vulgaris
Cul-de-sac front yards can be a design challenge with their deep and often irregular shape, but
this homeowner took the challenge with this lawn-less renovation and succeeded.
9.
Red Velvet Sage, Salvia microphylla ‘Red Velvet’
The dominant element is the sweeping pathway of warm-toned pavers set in decomposed granite.
The loose set pavers are a great example of permeable paving in the landscape. They provide a
sturdy surface for walking and access into the garden, yet allow rainwater to penetrate the soil.
The pathway leads you through the landscape to a wonderful space for relaxing, complete with
porch swing and fire pit. This area provides a protected spot to enjoy in the late afternoons and
evenings. And to add interest and pops of seasonal, the landscape is dotted with colorful pots and
container plantings set into the gold toned gravel mulch.
11. Emperor I® Japanese Maple,
Acer palmatum ‘Wolff’
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
1.
But best of all, this ‘greener’ garden demonstrates several of the seven River Friendly Principles –
• Landscape for Less to the Landfill - Plantings are uncrowded and given ample room
to grow which results in a landscape that doesn’t require frequent pruning or trimming. In
addition, weekly lawn clippings are a thing of the past.
• Conserve Water – Water thirsty lawn has now been replaced with water-wise landscaping.
With the exception of a few plants (Heather, Calla Lily and Japanese Maple), the garden is
comprised of low to very low water use plant selections.
10. Yellow Twig Dogwood, Cornus sericea
12. Butterfly Iris, Dietes bicolor
13. Lantana, Lantana camara
14. Dwarf Meyer Lemon, Citrus x limon
‘Meyer Improved’
15. Mexican Cardinal Flower, Lobelia laxiflora
16. Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
17. Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica
18. Mexican False Heather, Cuphea hyssopifolia
‘White Whispers’
19. Mexican False Heather, Cuphea hyssopifolia
20. Carpet Bugle, Ajuga reptans
• Nurture the Soil – Permeable paving allows rainfall to penetrate the soil rather than run off.
21. Calla Lily, Zantedeschia species
• Protect Water and Air Quality – Removal of lawn results in less or no use of water soluble
fertilizers and pesticides that end up in our creeks and rivers. And, carbon emissions are
reduced when gas-powered lawnmowers are no longer in use.
23. Golden Variegated Sweet Flag,
Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’
22. Tickseed, Coreopsis species
24. Weeping Cherry, Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’
25. English Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
26. Purple Verbena, Verbena ‘Homestead Purple’
To assist you, all plants
listed on the right have
been labeled by number
in the landscape. Check
them out!
27. Purple Trailing Lantana,
Lantana montevidensis
28. Ruby Grass, Melinis nerviglumis
‘Pink Crystals’
29. Green Lavender Cotton,
Santolina virens
6
Blues and Grays Abound -
2014 Greener Gardens Design Winner
Plant list
1. Western Redbud, Cercis occidentalis
2. Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
3. Nagami Kumquat, Citrus ‘Kumquat
Nagami’
4. Cut Leaf Lilac, Syringa x laciniata
5. Chaste Tree, Vitex agnus-castus
6. Little Ollie™ Olive, Olea europaea
‘Little Ollie’™
This landscape is the result of a homeowner who was ready to make the change and was
fortunate enough to be the winner of a free landscape design at the 2014 Elk Grove Greener
Gardens EXPO & Garden Tour.
The homeowner had already removed all of the lawn and had established the framework of
the landscape by installing the low wall, entry arbor and inviting steps leading to the front
entry. However Like most homeowners, the selection and composition of appropriate plants
was where they needed design help.
EGGG organizers met with the owner last summer to discuss design ideas and ultimately
prepare a planting plan. Soleil Tranquilli of Tranquill Gardens designed a garden composed
solely of low to very low water requirement plants. Some are California natives and others
are UC Davis Arboretum All-Star selections (ie. Western Redbud, Snow-in-Summer and
Australian Bluebell). The common thread throughout the plant composition is the use of
blue and gray foliaged plants to complement the turquoise front door and other outdoor
accents and accessories. Many native and drought tolerant plants naturally have blue gray
foliage which reflects heat and allows plants to transpire at a slower rate and therefore
require less water.
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
The homeowner took the next several months to amend and
nurture the soil, convert the original spray irrigation system
to drip irrigation, purchase and install plants, apply mulch
and accessorize the garden. The result is a river-friendly
winner, chockfull of blue and gray foliaged California natives
and drought tolerant plants.
7. Compact Jerusalem Sage, Phlomis
fruticosa compacta
8. Top Hat Dwarf Blueberry,
Vaccinium ‘Top Hat’
9. Yarrow, Achillea millefolium ‘Moonshine’
10. Snow-In-Summer, Cerastium
tomentosum
11. Sunset Rockrose, Cistus ‘Sunset’
12. Silver Carpet, Dymondia margaretae
13. Siskyou Blue Fescue, Festuca idahoensis
‘Siskyou Blue’
14. Lavender Trumpet Vine, Clytostoma
callistegioides
15. Lady Banks Rose, Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’
16. Australian Bluebell, Sollya heterophylla
17. Jack Spratt Flax, Phormium ‘Jack Spratt’
18. Potato Vine, Solanum laxa
19. Geranium, Geranium species
To assist you, all plants listed above
have been labeled by number in the
landscape. Check them out!
10
Grow Food – Not Grass!
Plant list
1. California Poppy, Ecshscholzia californica
2. Red Apple Ice Plant, Aptenia cordifolia
3. Lamb’s Ear, Stachys byzantina
4. Nancy’s Red Hot Poker, Kniphofia
‘Nancy’s Red’
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
5. Pink Muhly, Muhlenbergia capillaris
‘Pink Cloud’
6. Fire Lily, Cyrtanthus breviflorus
7. Blue Eyed Beauty African Daisy,
Osteospermum ‘Blue Eyed Beauty’
8. White African Daisy, Osteospermum
‘Soprano White’
Why grow grass when you can grow food? So many of our backyards are shaded
by adjacent homes or existing trees and often our sunniest location for a vegetable
garden is in the front yard. So this homeowner went for it and took advantage of
this sunny real estate!
What used to be a useless patch of lawn is now a useful collection of raised
beds and container plantings that produce a variety vegetables and fruit. Some
landscape plants remain adjacent to the home and sidewalk, but the three raised
beds in between contain strawberries, asparagus, mixed greens, carrots, beets and
blueberries.
Although we agree that this is a drastic departure from the aesthetic of a traditional
front yard landscape, we commend the use of
our precious water for the production of food
rather than weekly grass clippings!
9. Pink Variegated Eureka Lemon,
Citrus limon ‘Eureka Variegated Pink’
10. Ruffles Echeveria, Echeveria ‘Ruffles’
11. White Flowered Australian Bluebell Creeper,
Billardiera heterophylla ‘Alba’
12. Dudleya, Dudleya species
13. Moss Verbena, Glandularia aristigera
14. Doone Valley Creeping Thyme,
Thymus ‘Doone Valley’
15. Nordman Seedless Kumquat,
Fortunella margarita
16. Tiny Leaf Creeping Thyme,
Thymus serphyllum ‘Elfin’
17. Catlin’s Giant Carpet Bugle, Ajuga reptans
‘Catlin’s Giant’
18. Black Scallop Carpet Bugle, Ajuga reptans
‘Black Scallop’
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
19. Creeping Raspberry, Rubus calycinoides
‘Emerald Carpet’
To assist you, all plants listed on the
right have been labeled by number
in the landscape. Check them out!
20. Daylily, Hemerocallis species
21. ‘Stark’ Dwarf Golden Delicious
Apple, Malus x domestica
‘Stark Golden Delicious’
22. Invicta Gooseberry, Ribes
grossularia ‘Invicta’
11
California Native Collection
Plant list
1.
Strawberry Tree, Arbutus unedo
2.
El Dorado Wild Lilac, Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
‘El Dorado’
3.
Coast Sunflower, Encelia californica
4.
Santa Barbara Daisy, Erigeron karvinskianus
5.
St. Catherine’s Lace, Eriogonum giganteum
6.
Sulfur Buckwheat, Eriogonum umbellatum
7.
California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica
8.
Blue Fescue, Festuca californica ‘Serpentine Blue’
9.
Beach Strawberry, Fragaria chiloensis
10. Woodland Strawberry, Fragaria vesca
11. Gazania, Gazania rigens
Some people collect coins or baseball cards or comic books, but this homeowner
collects PLANTS! Due to her love for California Natives and other Mediterranean
plants, this garden is home to over 60 different trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses.
12. Golden Rain Tree, Koelreuteria bipinnata
13. Trailing Lantana, Lantana montevidensis
14. Spanish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas ‘Otto Quast’
The garden has a very natural and aesthetic feel. Plants are allowed to grow in their
natural forms in a dense cover among one another. A network of recycled concrete
paths wind through the garden allowing the owner and visitors an opportunity to
admire the plant collection up close. Joints between the concrete are filled with clumps
of groundcover and glass pebbles which add an unexpected glint of color and shine in
the garden.
15. Pitcher Sage, Lepechinia calycina
Our winged friends, both birds and butterflies, are fond of this garden too! Birdfeeders
are scattered throughout to invite birds to visit and feed. Species such as Ribes,
Salvia, Stachys, Epilobium and Manzanita attract hummingbirds to feed and pollinate.
And, plants such as Achillea, Artemisia, Ceanothus, Erigeron, Eriogonum, Ribes and
Salvia provide food and habitat for various butterfly species.
21. Pomegranate, Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’
The edible landscape has been introduced here too. The homeowner says, “I figured
if I’m going to water it, I might as well get something from it!” Fuji Apple, Cara Cara
Orange and Pomegranate ‘Wonderful’ provide fruit throughout the year.
25. Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
This garden is an example of two ‘river-friendly’ maintenance practices that should be
noted. The first is allowing leaf litter to accumulate and provide a natural mulch layer.
For many this may seem a ‘messy’ practice, but instead leaving some (if not all) leaf
litter to naturally decompose returns nutrients to the soil, keeps weeds down and helps
to retain moisture in the soil. Irrigation is the second practice worthy of discussion…
there is none! There is no automatic irrigation system in this garden…not even drip
irrigation! Spring rains provide adequate moisture into the summer months. And, in
the summer the homeowner will periodically use a garden hose to deep soak the beds.
28. Purple Sage, Salvia leucophylla
16. New Zealand Tea Tree, Leptospermum scoparium
17. Bush Mallow, Malacothamnus fasciculatus
18. Fuji Apple, Malus domestica ‘Fuji’
19. African Daisy, Osteospermum fruticosum
20. Chinese Pistache, Pistachia chinensis
22. Coffeeberry, Rhamnus californica ‘Mound San Bruno’
23. African Sumac, Rhus lancea
24. Pink Flowering Currant, Ribes sanguinum
var. glutinosum
26. Brandegee’s Sage, Salvia brandegei
27. Autumn Sage, Salvia gregii
29. De La Mina Verbena, Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’
30. Variegated Butterfly Bush, Buddleia davidii
‘Variegata’
31. Apricot Mallow,
Sphaeralcea ambigua
32. Dark Star Ceanothus,
Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’
This collection of California natives demonstrates all 7 principles of river-friendly
landscaping!
To assist you, all plants listed on the right have been labeled by number in the landscape. Check them out!
12
Water Conserving Compromise
Plant list
1. Maidenhair Tree, Gingko biloba
2. California Fuschia, Epilobium canum
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
3. Amazing Red New Zealand Flax,
Phormium tenax ‘Amazing Red’
4. Elijah Blue Fescue, Festuca glauca
‘Elijah Blue’
5. Homestead Purple Verbena, Verbena
‘Homestead Purple’
6. Foothill Penstemon, Penstemon
heterophyllus ‘Margarita B.O.P.
Water conservation - we read it in the paper and hear it in the news. How much water
does the average front yard landscape really use? Current estimates suggest that the
average front yard landscape uses approximately 60% of the total daily residential
consumption or anywhere from 100 to 150 gallons per day. Whereas water-wise or
river-friendly landscapes consume less than half that amount! The homeowner works
in the water industry and knew it was time to ‘walk the walk and talk the talk’ at home
as well as at work.
The landscape includes ornamental grasses and flax for vertical texture (Feather Reed
Grass, Blue Fescue and New Zealand Flax) and Maidenhair Tree for beautiful fall color.
Spring color is provided by Foothill Penstemon, a UC Davis Arboretum All-Star, and
California Fuschia, Goodwin Creek Lavender and Sun Rose bloom during the summer
months.
7. Ben Nevis Sun Rose, Helianthemum
nummularium ‘Ben Nevis’
8. Lamb’s Ear, Stachys byzantina
9. Lily of the Valley Shrub, Pieris japonica
10. Goodwin Creek Lavender,
Lavandula ‘Goodwin Creek Grey’
11. Feather Reed Grass, Calamagrostis x
acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
To assist you, all plants listed above have
been labeled by number in the landscape.
Check them out!
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
The compromise in this landscape is the retention of a small portion of lawn. When
asked why the lawn was retained the homeowner said they
were concerned about their home looking too different and
not blending with the rest of the neighborhood. This is a
common concern, but in the future as opinions change or
water restrictions increase, it would be very easy to abandon
the lawn completely and convert this small area to more
water-wise plants.
Using the river friendly benefits calculator available at www.
riverfriendly.org, this garden now uses approximately 26
gallons/day during the peak of the summer compared to the
previous 75 gallons /day! What a wonderful water saving
compromise!
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
13
Groundcover Glory
Plant list
1. Spanish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas
‘Otto Quast’
2. Golden Barberry, Berberis thunbergii
‘Aurea’
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
3. Dwarf Plumbago, Ceratostigma
plumbaginoides
4. Grace Ward Lithodora, Lithodora diffusa
‘Grace Ward’
5. Terra Cotta Million Bells® Petunia,
Calibrachoa Hybrid
This landscape in its original form was a homogenous blend of grass, a single tree and
a few foundation shrubs...more of the same high maintenance, water-thirsty landscape,
just like all the others. Now, from two blocks away, you can see that this landscape is
different!
This tapestry of year-round flower and foliage colors is a welcome change on many
levels. It’s a visual interruption of the existing residential landscape monotony. The need
to mow, edge and prune is no longer a weekly requirement. And most importantly in
today’s drought crisis the amount of water necessary to keep this landscape flourishing
is considerably less than previously required by a front yard lawn. The homeowner
enjoys displaying the many varieties of color that the Verbena species offers and keep
things looking fresh by replacing them every third year or so as they start to look woody
or leggy.
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
Boulders and a meandering river bed add detail
and separation between the mounded beds of color.
And to add even more splashes of color along the
base of the house, the homeowner adds a rotation of
Snapdragons and other seasonal annuals throughout
the year.
Composed primarily of ground hugging groundcovers
and low growing compact shrubs, this landscape is
nothing short of groundcover glory!
To assist you, all plants listed on the
right have been labeled by number in the
landscape. Check them out!
6. Yellow Chiffon Superbells® Petunia,
Calibrachoa Hybrid
7. Tequila Sunrise Mirror Plant, Coprosma
‘Tequila Sunrise’
8. Chinese Fringe Flower,
Loropetalum chinense
9. Dwarf Red Japanese Barberry, Berberis
thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’
10. Blue Eyed Beauty African Daisy,
Osteospermum ‘Blue Eyed Beauty’
11. Dwarf Variegated Agapanthus,
Agapanthus ‘Tinkerbell’
12. Sprenger’s Asparagus Fern, Asparagus
densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’
13. Sweet Alyssum, Lobularia maritime
14. Flower Carpet® Red Groundcover Rose,
Rosa x ‘Noare’
15. Kaleidoscope Abelia, Abelia grandiflora
‘Kaleidoscope’
16. Early Sunrise Tickseed, Coreopsis ‘Early
Sunrise’
17. Homestead Purple Verbena, Verbena
‘Homestead Purple’
18. Homestead Red Verbena,
Verbena ‘Homestead Red’
19. Peach Verbena, Verbena
‘Lanai Peach’
20. Georgia’s Pink Verbena,
Verbena ‘Georgia’s Pink’
15
Noteworthy Natives
and NO IRRIGATION!
Plant list
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
1. Western Redbud, Cercis occidentalis
2. Ray Hartman Wild Lilac, Ceanothus
‘Ray Hartman’
3. California Fuschia, Epilobium canum
4. Deer Grass, Muhlenbergia rigens
5. Cleveland Sage, Salvia clevelandii
Designed by the homeowner and a landscape architect, this garden is 100%
California natives. The garden was designed with an irrigation system, but it was only
used the first year and hasn’t been used since!
6. Bush Anemone, Carpenteria californica
The multi-trunk Western Redbud is the perfect size for this small scale front yard. It
also provides the first sign of color in this garden with magenta flowers held close to
the stems from February through March. Ray Hartman Wild Lilac is the next garden
player with a proliferation of purple blossoms in March through April. Blue-Eyed
Grass has naturalized throughout the garden and is next to show its pretty face with
blooms lasting through May.
8. Bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
The scattered placement of boulders and driftwood guides you up the warm-toned
flagstone pathway. The flagstone is an appealing complement to the exterior colors
of the house. Warm colors continue with the summer blooming native, California
Fuschia. This plant has a bold display of firecracker orange blooms from late summer
through fall and is also a favorite of hummingbirds! In addition, Cleveland Sage
blooms during the summer and is a favorite of pollinators during its blooming cycle
and birds love the seed heads in the fall and winter. Deer Grass and Yarrow add soft
textures to the landscape with
their wispy soft foliage.
And don’t miss the twisting metal
sculpture over the entryway that
further extends the organic nature
of this noteworthy native garden!
7. Blue-Eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium bellum
9. Common Yarrow, Achillea millefolium
10. Lupine, Lupinus albifrons
11. California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica
To assist you, all plants listed above
have been labeled by number in the landscape.
Check them out!
15
Serene Water Savings
Plant list
Photo Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
1. Mexican Cardinal Flower,
Lobelia laxiflora
2. Narrow-Leaf Milkweed,
Asclepias fascicularis
3. Swan Hill Olive, Olea europaea
‘Swan Hill’
4. London Plane Tree or Sycamore,
Plantanus x acerifolia
After years of fighting surface roots of the large Sycamore and looking for a water saving
alternative to turf, this homeowner decided it was time for a change. Designed and
constructed by the homeowner this landscape has much to offer!
5. Carmel Sur Manazanita, Arctostaphylos
edmundsii ‘Carmel Sur’
Rather than fight the roots, they have become a sculptural accent emerging through the
decorative rocks like veins in a granite slab. Drought-tolerant Point Sur Manzanita has been
planted under the canopy and will provide low mounds of green over time.
7. Cup and Saucer Vine, Cobaea scandens
Photos Courtesy Bruce Robinson Photography
The redwood deck is the headliner in this garden offering a serene platform for enjoying a
cup of coffee on a weekend morning or a glass of
wine on a summer evening. Simple concrete pavers
surrounded by smooth pebbles provide a clean
transition from the walkway to the deck. The deck
is also accented with LED lighting tucked under the
perimeter of the platform to provide illumination at
night. Creating usable space in the front yard is a great
way to increase the ‘square footage’ of your home and
decrease the amount of unused water-thirty lawn.
Trellises against both the garage wall and back of the
deck create privacy, enclosure and a vertical venue for
flowering vines. In addition, artfully placed ceramic
pottery introduces specimen container plantings
of succulents, Laceleaf Japanese Maple and Black
Bamboo into the garden. And, the large Escallonia
shrub, which typically becomes an out of scale
planting in a small front yard, has been successfully
pruned into a sculptural accent near the entry.
The many details of this ‘serene water saver’ are
difficult to appreciate from the street, but once inside
this garden its transformation is clearly a success.
6. Laceleaf Japenese Maple,
Acer palmatum dissectum
8. Desert Olive, Forestiera neomexicana
9. Evergreen Clematis, Clematis armandii
10. Japenese Forest Grass, Hakonechloa
macra ‘Aureola’
11. Dwarf Kangaroo Paw, Anigozanthos
‘Bush Ranger’
12. Spice Island Rosemary, Rosmarinus
officinalis ‘Spice Island’
13. Hill Hardy Rosemary, Rosmarinus
officinalis ‘Hill Hardy’
14. Pink Escallonia, Escallonia fradesii
15. Black Bamboo, Phyllostachys nigra
16. Strawberry Tree, Arbutus unedo
To assist you, all plants listed above
have been labeled by number in the
landscape. Check them out!