Trestle Glen

A Lawn Reduction Before & After

The goal of this home owner was to decrease the lawn size, while maintaining a small play area for their grandchildren and dog.

Low water salvias, ground covers and blooming perennials helped to echo the existing garden plantings.
The patio stone is 'Iron Slate' and set with a polymer sand that contrasts nicely with the dark stone.

AFTER

The patio stone has just been cut and is in the process of being set and leveled with sand.

DURING

BEFORE

Written by B.B. Garibaldi

Oakland Gardens

A Family Friendly Garden Oasis

Installed 2015

This Oakland family desired to have an outdoor space that could accommodate both adults & children.

We connected the hardscape with stepping stones and plantings, which increased function and flow to their garden.

We enhanced privacy by creating a natural screening along the fence line. Low maintenance/low water plantings were included to add pops of color.  Lastly, we installed a raised bed vegetable garden that helped add the finishing touches to this marvelous outdoor space. (Vegetable garden not pictured)

Written by B.B. Garibaldi

Mediterranean Inspired Modern

The homeowner of this Italian inspired villa in the Oakland hills was looking for a planting plan that reminded him of the great gardens of Italy.  

This small version of a 'Grand' Italian garden is planted with a hedge row of Olive 'Little Ollie', Phormium 'Black Adder' Lomandra 'Seascape' and Aeonium.

The sunken patio was made using left over pre-poured concrete pavers set in decomposed granite.  The raised concrete beds are planted with Mexican Sage.

Moroccan Modern

 

This fun garden design project called for a contemporary fell with inspiration from the home owners love of Moroccan culture and color.  The photos above feature a Navajo flagstone patio, blue pergola with 3"x3" slats on the back and roof to provide a respite from the sun and a small grill canopy of clear corrugated plastic to allow the grill master to stay dry in the rain.

Along the edge of the patio and decomposed granite walkway are two "L" shaped veggie boxes and a perennial garden just beyond the boxes.

To increase storage space a multi-use she-shed was incorporated into the design.  Suddenly bikes and camping gear have a place to be stored and easily accessed.  The steel lined dg path extends to a side gate that leads to the front of the house. 

'Orange Cross' Kangaroo Paw hang out along the back side of the pergola.  A great foil for the Moroccan Blue.

Step it up!

This lovely Kensington garden got a face lift with some new hardscape, lighting and bird friendly plantings.

 

The above 'after photos' show the new Bitterroot stone step and Connecticut Full Range flagstone patio.  The plantings surrounding the patio reflect the low light woodland nature of the property.  Also visible are the drip irrigation lines waiting for their mulch covering as well as 'Contempo' path lights from Hinkley Lighting.

 

These 'before photos' show the concrete patio that isn't visible in the 'after' shots.  The view and access to the lower garden is much more inviting to people and birds alike.

Woodland Retreat

This recently completed Oakland project called for low retaining walls in the back garden to support the sloping landscape and prevent soil build up from the existing Cedar and Oak trees.

The primary viewpoint and experience of this garden will be from the deck above.  The goal was to create a woodland sanctuary for the local bird population will adding color and interest in the shady conditions.  I used bright leaf color and different textures to create contrast that would be visible from above.

Plants are spaced to accommodate future growth.

Stone steps add visual interest and functionality.

In the front we planted the existing redwood terraced boxes with native and low water plantings such as Correa, Verbena and Euphorbia.  In the lower planting space a dry creek bed was added to break up the planting space. 

Strategically placed stones help create a 'bend' in the river bed.

Now the home owners can enjoy a 'Zen' moment before entering their home.

Garden Face Lift

This small Berkeley front garden got a face lift by adding permeable flagstone walkways and plantings suited to the local planting conditions.

After

Before

By eliminating the strictly linear front walkway we were able to create planting spaces that felt more naturalized.  The flagstone path leads from the driveway to the side entry and connects to the main pathway leading to the front steps.

The cracked concrete driveway was removed and replaced with Blue Pathway decomposed granite.  

Plums & Pots

These Prune Plums are absolutely beautiful on the tree.  They are growing successfully in an El Cerrito garden.  They are much sweeter than the Santa Rosa Plum.

Mmmm-delic

I posted a photo of these lovely pots after they were refreshed in May.  Here's an update.

The blooms may have faded but these succulents offer variety in and of themselves.

The early morning light catches this Cordyline and makes it glow.

Garden Update

This Albany garden was installed this spring.  The home owner sent me these photos of the garden after his return from a stint of travel.

The flowering perennials and grasses are filling out and in full bloom.  In the foreground you can see Lavender 'Provence' and Lomandra 'Sea Breeze'.  Toward the fence there is a citrus and Salvia confertiflora that will eventually hide the tree stump.

Here you can see a walkway of wooly thyme in full bloom leading to the patio.  In the back ground off to the left are Gaillardia and Penstemon 'Garnet'.  Against the fence are the transplanted roses coming back to live and Kangaroo Paw.  In the immediate foreground is Hesperaloe parvifolia.

Here is a link to an earlier post of the before and after of this garden.

Curve Appeal

Our most recent project wrapped in El Cerrito this week.  A small narrow concrete walkway was re-placed by this lovely curving Connecticut Full Range flagstone.  A large landing area serves as a step out from the driveway and an access point from the sidewalk.

After

Before

Another lawn bites the dust!  We sheet mulched and planted over the old lawn.  The plants are a combination of native and South African low water and drought tolerant selections.  

I will post updates on the garden as it grows and fills in more.

New Project: Albany Japanese Garden

The home owner of this Albany property wanted a garden that would draw him off the back deck into a tranquil seating area surrounded by low water and low maintenance plantings.  

The Arizona Buckskin Buff flagstone patio is off center toward the back fence.  In order to get to the patio, one must cross the creek by either a flagstone 'bridge' or stepping stone in the center of the creek.

A wooly Thyme pathway connects the 'bridge' to the patio. 

Another special feature in this garden are the recycled Cedar tree roots.  There is a large stump remaining from a Cedar tree that was taken down long before the current owner arrived.  As we were planting we came across large pieces of the root system.  We removed them and peeled the outer layer of bark to expose the beautiful treasure beneath.  Here is one incorporated into the creek bank.

Repeating Acacia cognata 'Cousin It' will provide the grounding shrubs for this Japanese garden.  Varying shades of green foliage capture the essence of serenity.  Blooming perennials such as Kangaroo paw, Salvia and Rock rose provide color and interest attractive to beneficial insects and birds.

Before Images

Things that make you go HMM...

Interesting and captivating garden design encompasses more than just flower bloom and color.  It also incorporates texture, natural lighting and a little bit of whimsy to make the most of what each plant has to offer.

Cotinus 'Grace' Variegated Caprosma, Salvia chiapensis and Chocolate Geranium.

A whimiscal path connects two flagstone patios.
 

Amazing texture provided by a mature Fan Palm.  The focal point in a current garden renovation.

Silver rosettes contrast with slender green Crassula ovata

Bulbine frutescens pops when paired with this glowing chartreuse geranium.

Interesting blooms are always welcome.