GardenCrafter's Guru Blog

Cordyline 'Electric Pink' , Dracena Palm. This outstanding plant is not for the weak of heart. A bold accent in the garden, multiple shades of pink, white and red bronze. Forms a multitrunked clump to 4 ft. tall and wide, much shorter than it's other Cordyline relatives. Will do well anywhere in the Bay Area, Sacramento Valley and Foothills. Full sun to partial shade, don't overwater, I've had good luck planting on a slight mound. Moderate to fast growth rate. Excellent in containers. Can be used in Tropical gardens, Mediterranean gardens and Contemporary gardens.

Adenium obesum, Desert Rose. Admittedly, not a landscape plant in our climate, but wow! look at this specimen from the Chiangmai flower show in northern Thailand! It's almost 4 ft. across and is trained as a bonsai. These can be grown in containers here, just make sure to keep them warm, sunny and dry in the winter (indoors) and don't over-water in the summer. They are native to sub-sahara desert areas of Africa and are in the Oleander family, so all parts are poisonous, even their beautiful flowers.

Woodland Retreat: The challenge in this garden was to update the original landscape we had installed over 15 years ago to mesh with the additions to the residence and to the changing dynamic of the landscape.

 
The original exposed aggregate concrete driveway needed to be replaced after all of the construction work on the house. It didn't blend very well with the new look of the house so we removed it and about 24" of soil and replaced it with compacted roadbase, sand and 4" of concrete pavers. It was quite a challenge to install the pavers on such a steep slope and required the installation of concrete subwalls running across the driveway under the pavers in order reinforce the stability of the slope. We also installed a concrete curb and curving steps along one side of the driveway to make it easier to walk up the slope. This has been here for over two years with no slippage, sinking or separation.

 
The concrete curb flattens out into a concrete border as we approach the parking area. The splitface block walls remained from the original installation and required some additions to create the long terraces. The trees were planted about 15 years ago and have grown into a small forest of Redwoods and Live Oaks. The Coral Bark Japanese Maple trees were planted as an understory tree to Aristocrat Pear trees and Birch trees which were removed. They have adapted to the sunlight quite well as they get some protection from the larger surrounding trees.

 
Arizona Flagstone was installed over the existing exposed aggregate steps and walkways. This created a challenge at the point where the steps met the elevation of the old driveway that we solved by increasing the height of the parking area and adding soil to blend into the existing grade.

 
The old plantings were completely removed and an entirely different planting scheme was undertaken. What had been a very sunny area in the original installation was now a semi-shaded to shaded area. Woodland plants such as Berkeley Sedge, Silver Dragon Lilyturf, Emerald Carpet Rubus, Flowering Maple, Japanese Anemone and several types of ferns were used. The neighbors front lawn is visible in the background and will eventually be blocked by the addition of a Redwood tree. This dynamism is at work in every garden except a formal garden, where the desired affect isn't allowed to change over time; it is kept static. When the environment changes and plants long longer thrive, it's time for a new approach.

 
The Arizona Flagstone creates quite a contrast with the Splitface concrete block. In addition to adding length to the existing walls, we also added height where it was needed. Eventually all of the block will blend together. In the background the covered flagstone patio leading to the new guest quarters/artist studio comes into view.

 
The Coral Bark Japanese Maple trees turn yellow in the fall and the bark of the tree turns bright red in the winter. These are stunning small trees, with their multiple trunks and delicate foliage. The leaves will burn in full sun in our area but do quite well in dappled sunlight.

 
The changes in elevation to move from the flagstone level to the new building presented a complex problem, how to best move up and in while blending with the lower existing walls? This was accomplished by adding several new walls at different heights and angles. The paving material also changed from Arizona Flagstone to concrete to blend better with the slightly more contemporary feel of the addition and railings.

 
In this view looking back towards the street one gets a sense for the elevation difference. While most of the front yard is shaded, the areas around the steps are very sunny. This Trailing Lantana thrives here and provides bloom for almost nine months of the year. We planted a few Himalayan Birch which have brilliant white trunks and are very heat tolerant. They provide very light shade and the Lantana should continue to thrive for years.

In this view from the front porch the contrast between the hardscape materials is very apparent. In addition to Trailing Lantana we also used Prostrate Germander, Variegated Society Garlic and Santa Barbara Daisy. All of these plants have very long bloom seasons and thrive in the sun.

 
In this view from the new steps leading up to the addition the Oak trees that we planted over 15 years ago come into view. They are very fast growers and blend with the Oaks along the creek in the distance

 
The pool and walls in the back are from the original installation. The old shade structure required rebuilding and a new color was chosen to more sharply contrast with the walls and accent the colors in the Arizona Flagstone. The Redwood trees are from the original installation and like the front yard have grown into a forest.

 
In the summer time this is a very sunny area, but in the low angle sun of the fall it appears less so. The gravel area in the foreground was once part of a lawn area but with the additions this disappeared and a gravel patio space with Arizona Flagstone stepping stones and minimal plantings was chosen to accommodate the occasional party. Gravel spaces were left large enough to be furnished with tables and chairs if needed. Gravel makes a wonderful multi-purpose mulch but has to be the right size and shape, in this case 3/8" crushed gravel, 4" thick with landscape fabric underneath to keep weeds from germinating. Larger gravel is difficult to walk on and rounded gravel does not stay put. If you have to pull weeds through a gravel mulch you will end up mixing soil with the gravel and create more problems.

 
The shade structure is beautifully constructed and painted. It creates a wonderful shadow pattern against the wall and on the patio at different times of the day and year.

 
In this view from atop the walls the Trailing Lantana is very stunning. Like the front yard the main walls were added onto and new walls were constructed to accommodate the elevation changes that resulted from the home addition.

 
The planting areas between the Arizona Flagstone and the house are very small but very important to the feel of the space. They were selected for their tendency to grow upright without growing very wide and the space would feel very stark without them. Well designed and constructed hardscape is very important but too much of it can overwhelm a space, especially a small space.

 
In this view one has a feel for the sereneness of this space. The Live Oaks and Redwood trees in the background screen the neighbors home from view and create a wonderful backdrop to the pool space with the Lantana spilling over the wall.

 
The Trailing Lantana is a fast grower, the grasses and other small shrubs and perennial in the background grow more slowly. The Santa Barbara Daisy starting to cascade over the walls will eventually cover them as well, the point being that plants grow at different rates, you just have to know this and how to work with it.

Another view of the interface between the pool, shade structure, walls, flagstone, gravel, new plant material and older trees. If one lives in a house long enough the landscape will change and plants that don't adapt will have to be replaced and the feel of the garden will also change. This dynamism creates challenges but also creates possibilities. It is a wonderful experience for me to come back to an older landscape that I have installed and have the opportunity to work with the clients and create something new and exciting.

Variations On A Theme: A Romantic Garden: The challenge with this site was to create a landscape that blended with the Mediterranean architecture, was dynamic, reflected the owners connection to places they had travelled and was low maintenance.

 
The first thing that you will notice is the absence of any turf. Though the neighboring houses still have their developer installed landscape which almost always includes turf, this landscape blends in because it is lush yet waterwise. The existing sprinkler irrigation systems were converted to drip irrigation, which results in less water use and zero runoff. Ignore the Halloween decorations.

 
Though extensive hardscape was installed throughout the project, in order to keep costs down, we worked with the developer installed hardscape at the front entrance, leaving room to remove and replace it at a later date. An inexpensive alternative during a recession. Except for the trees, which are larger than the neighbors trees planted in turf, the plant material is about 1 1/2 years old. 

 
The circular retaining wall continues a theme starting with the arch over the front door, moving through the house and continuing into the courtyard and backyard. The front door hardscape will eventually have a circular flow to it. Lavender follows the flow lines and is replicated on both sides of the driveway in a semicircular design. When established as a hedge, it defines the space. Its fragrance is a mental reminder of places travelled to, the young Olive tree will eventually reinforce that connection. 

 The retaining wall material is a dry stack modular concrete block product. The individual blocks, different in both length and height, combined with color variations and a stressed finish create an "old world" look, reminiscent of an old cut stone wall. This is a less expensive alternative to real cut stone. The retaining wall and pavers continue from the front into the back yard, uniting the spaces.

 This columnar white Euphorbium is reminiscent of the columnar cactus used in the tropics, it will create strong visual contrast as it matures, blending with the grays and cool color palette of the front plantings and adding to a sense of mystery as to what awaits in the back yard. It is planted in a protected area that receives plenty of winter sunlight and heat.

 
The fountain is the centerpiece of the main courtyard with the living room, a long hallway and family room wrapping around it on three sides. The Quarry tile with deco tile accents is installed on a concrete base and is similar to the tile within the house. The sound of the water fills the house when the windows are open, quite refreshing on a summer's day and is reminiscent of courtyard patios encountered on travels.

 As is becoming obvious in this photograph the courtyard is very different in feel from the front of the house. It still uses the circular flow that was used in the front and of course has another columnar Euphorbia, this one is green, but the addition of the Windmill Palm is taking the plantings in a different direction. they still relate to the Mediterranean architecture but we are going tropical.

 
The transition from the courtyard to the backyard through a narrow sideyard becomes a feature in this landscape. the Flagstone on a compacted base walkway is a unifying paving material in the backyard. It creates a walkway without drowning us in hardscape. The plantings flow through it and the use of Queen Palms, Windmill palms, Timber Bamboo, Ginger and Mondo Grass evoke a sense of the tropics. The Queen Palms actually surround the courtyard circular tile patio and act as virtual columns, creating a little shade. This pattern is repeated in the back yard. 

 
In this photo looking back through the sideyard, Timber Bamboo, two types of Ginger, Orchids, Irises and others crowd the walkway. It's this sense of brushing against soft plant material that further evokes the tropics, of course in the tropics you would be concerned about thorns and insects, not a problem here. Where the vines haven't filled in yet, you can see just how narrow this sidyard area is and yet you can create something quite magical in this space. 

 In this view looking back towards the sideyard, the BBQ space is obstructed from the main view by the plant material. It's just steps from the back door but doesn't compete with the main sitting and viewing areas. Unless the BBQ area is a featured as a beautiful outdoor kitchen area, it really should be tucked away. the contrast of the gray Dymondia with the Flagstone is quite stunning as is the contrast between the Dracena 'Electric Pink' and the Carex surrounding it. The Dymondia gets very little water and is thriving in the sun.

 
In this view towards the center of the garden, the circular tile patio with the fountain at it's center is the obvious focal point. The semicircular bench behind acts as both a retaining wall and a seating wall, the colorful Lantana could easily be pruned back from the cap of the bench. The three Queen Palms repeat the theme from the courtyard garden and will eventually provide some shade. The plantings here are one year old, about half the age of the courtyard plantings. The veneer on the seating wall is a colored concrete ledgerstone material that has a rough hewn look that blends well with the other building materials.

 In this view towards the mountains, the two Purple Trumpet trees frame the view without blocking it as they are a lightly foliaged tree with spectacular flowers in the spring before the tree leafs out. A Pindo Palm in a bed of low growing Abutilon that blooms for months obscures the BBQ. Knotweed is slowly creeping over the tile, the first frost will bring it under control. Houttuynia, an invasive plant kept in check by the paving surrounds the fountain. In the background a large Angels Trumpet blooms several times a year, Cape Honeysuckle climbs the fence and Bulbine 'Hallmark' is in bloom all year long.

 
The fountain is on 24 hours a day and easily drowns out the noise from surrounding yards, white noise like this can be used to mask traffic noise as well. In this view it is apparent that the different building materials blend well. The circular flow is obvious in the tile patio and fountain, as well as the circular Flagstone patio beyond and the semicircular wall in the foreground covered by Parrots Beak. Most of the plantings in the backyard are hot colors, with the exception of the vibrant purple Princess Flower against the fence. A soft tipped Agave and Aloes are in the foreground, their placement symmetric to the lateral axis lines of the design.

 In this view the blending of the building materials from the frontyard and one sideyard with the building materials of the backyard and courtyard is featured. the pavers are a concrete paver set on a compacted base, they come in four sizes and several colors, this pattern blends well with the wall material and pattern. The mix of tropicals continues, but here it is an espaliered Fig tree and Mediterranean Fan Palm that add to a tropical feel, they are also reminders of trips to other lands.

 
In this view of the larger sideyard, the pavers continue from the front to the back. The fountains are a different design than the others and add some vertical drama to this space created by cutting back the slope and continuing the same retaining wall from the front into the back. The Pigmy Date Palm and Lady Palm, combined with the Lirope 'Silver Dragon', everblooming Ivy Geraniums and Agapanthus 'Storm Cloud' add to the tropical effect. The Areca Palms against the house are an experiment to see what temperatures they can tolerate and how little space they can grow in. If they survive, the intent is to have their fronds arching over the walkway, creating a long entrance to the backyard. Check back in a couple of years and I'll have a better idea if this works.

 
Fountains that sheet water down their sides are very attractive to birds and butterflies, they don't make allot of noise, but they have a soft, soothing feel. These fountains, along with the others are centered in prominent views from within the house, something that should always be considered when laying out the design. What does it look like from the main living areas of the house as well as does it connect with both the exterior and interior architecture of the house. I always like to see the interior of a residence before I start design, it usually reveals allot about the owners taste and style.

 When creating a Romantic garden we are attempting to create something that stirs the mind and excites the senses. It is simply an allusion to another place and time. It slows us down and allows are minds to wander and wonder. It is an illusion as well, a fantasy, that at its best soothes us and open our hearts to the romance of life.........but then there are those pesky weeds, plants that need attention, check the watering, when did I last fertilize? and on and on....
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

A Low Maintenance Garden: Is there really such a thing?

Most of my clients ask for a low maintenance garden. Unless they have unlimited resources, most of my clients would prefer to keep their ongoing maintenance costs to a minimum. The initial maintenance of getting a garden established is very basic, provide enough water for the new plants to thrive, don't over water and keep weeds from getting a foothold. The amount of long term maintenance is really a function of design choices. If you have a turf area you will have higher ongoing costs for watering, fertilizing, herbicides, pesticides and mowing than a garden that has little or no turf. But just because a garden has no turf does not mean it is low maintenance, in fact it could require more maintenance than turf. A classic garden of clipped hedges and topiary requires constant maintenance to retain it's form, that is a consequence of design choice. The ultimate expression of this would be the miles long clipped al-lee at Versailles in France. When a tree becomes to large to continue pruning it is cut down and a new one is planted in it's place.

A traditional Japanese Garden also requires considerable maintenance in order to achieve and keep a certain look. As these are highly stylized interpretations of nature, the plant material is not allowed to reach full size but is kept at what is desired to be the correct size. Bonsai is the ultimate expression of this, but even the trees growing in the garden are almost a  larger version of Bonsai. This is a design choice.

Paving choices influence maintenance costs. A brick on sand patio will eventually suffer from underlying erosion and sink here and there. As the brick settles and the spaces between open up, weeds can get a foothold and speed up the process. I usually design a brick patio, or flagstone patio to have a concrete pad underneath, to mortar the brick and have a grout joint. This will last much longer. If the patio is going to affect the rooting area of an existing tree, not usually the best place for a patio, pavers on a compacted base will have less affect on the tree and can be reset if they are displaced by tree roots. A decomposed Granite walkway or patio may hold up extremely well in the dry desert southwest, but in much of Northern California we get enough rain that weeds will grow on it and it will erode when water runs across it. I usually have a stabilizer added to it, which works well, but is allot more expensive. Again, these are design choices.

The choice of irrigation systems and drainage systems also affect maintenance. A sprinkler system is simple and  easy to see if there are problems. However, many people ignore problems with their sprinklers until it's painfully obvious. In the meantime, some areas have been getting too much water, some not enough,  plants are dying, weeds are growing from all the watering and run-off is a major issue. A drip system has it's limitations as well, but it doesn't have the under/over watering issues, doesn't grow weeds and doesn't waste water. If grading and drainage aren't properly installed they can create wet areas during the both the growing season and the winter time. This can kill plant material and grow weeds.

Mulches can lower maintenance by limiting (not eliminating) weed growth, provided they are at least 2" thick and promoting better plant health by improving the quality of the soil as they break down.

All of this being said, I think the number one design choice that creates high maintenance is plant material. Planting a plant that will easily grow 20 ft. X 20 ft. in a 3ft. X 3ft. space is a recipe for high maintenance. I see this all of the time, people have to constantly prune plants to keep them from taking over their garden and most of the time there are many plants in the same garden that are too big for the space. it could be the choices made by the developer, they often choose large plants for that immediate look, but aren't doing anyone any favors. Or it could be what was on sale at the nursery or department store, or what a landscaper chose to plant, just because they call themselves a landscaper doesn't mean they know anything about plant material.

If you want low maintenance in your garden, and most of my clients aren't gardeners,  they are paying someone else to do the maintenance, you have to understand plant material and choose appropriately. This is much easier now than it was a mere fifteen years ago, today there are countless plant varieties that have been grown specifically for their dwarf size. It requires a greater number of these smaller plants to fill the space, but it results in much lower maintenance.

If you want a low maintenance garden make the right paving choices, grade correctly, install proper drainage, a drip system, mulch, no turf and above all think small when it comes to the plant material choices.

The Eccentric Paving Styles of Portugal: The pavers in Portugal varied from "I can't believe she is walking on this in high heels" to exquisite works of art and craftsmanship.

This is the ankle breaking stuff and it's everywhere. Every sidewalk and Praca (plaza) has it. It's approximately 2"X3"X3" set in a bed of coarse sand with no mortar at all. The pavers settle, twist and buckle and puddles quickly form during rain storms. The pavers are easily lifted by tree roots and the spaces between the pavers are large enough to swallow the point of a high heel. To top it off Lisbon is a very hilly city! The residents were great walkers, you would be too if this was where you walked all of the time. Renovating this paving is a full time job.

  In this patio you can start to see the possibilities multiple colors provide. Most of the paving in entrance areas like this was set more carefully, still no mortar, but more thoroughly compacted. This is crucial in installing any paver, there must be a deep enough bed of roadbase and sand under the pavers, 6"-12" for patios and walkways, and 12"-18" under driveways. The base must be compacted in layers, usually with a vibra-plate compactor. The entire patio must be compacted again after the pavers are installed and the sand has been broomed into the spaces between. If done properly it should last for years.

These are interesting geometric grids using color and shape to define areas, in this case separating pedestrians from auto traffic. In case you still didn't understand, bollards alternating with Windmill Palms were installed to leave no doubt. The elliptical shapes are modifications of the waves in the next photo.

  This is a flat promenade but the "waves" in the paving create a visual distortion. It looks like the paving undulates. Allot of the new paving in Portugal is being done in this pattern, the lack of straight rows should more thoroughly lock the pavers together. This pattern is inspired by the famous Brazilian Landscape Architect Roberto Burle Marx whose Copacabana Esplanade in Rio de Janeiro goes on for miles and was itself inspired by the ocean waves.

OK, Obviously not paver tiles, but the only concrete paving I saw in three weeks of travel in Portugal! You really don't see much concrete paving throughout Europe. I was surprised to see this brand new concrete paving abutting an old fortress along the Atlantic, I didn't think it blended very well with the fortress.

I love the alternating diamonds in this public square or Praca. The use of three colors of pavers in this repetitive fashion is outstanding. It has a very dynamic flow to it and later in the day this was a very lively place to be.

This is another view of the same praca in this village in Southern Portugal. It's really not that large but because of the diamond pattern your eye follows the diagonal lines and the praca feels larger than it is. Your perspective also changes as you move across the praca.

Notice the intricacy evident in both the tile patterns, the iron work in the gate and the masonry wall beyond. these pattern designs are evident throughout southern Portugal and remind me of the much more detailed patterns you see in Adalucia, Spain. Since both areas were under Moorish rule for close to seven centuries they have similar design influences.

The swirling lines in this paving pattern grab your attention. The curving perimeter lines are accentuated by the thick, dark bands mirroring them. They lead both into and out of this park. The curving red bench further emphasizes the flow of energy through this space. This dynamism created a space that didn't feel welcoming and no one was in this park.

In this highly stylized version of waves the designer again attempts to fool the eye. As you move through this space the pond appears to tilt to one side or another. Looking at the water line it is obviously level.

As one moves away from the fountain it takes on a different appearance. Now what were waves appear to be ripples in the pond caused by the marble "boulders".

This view of Praca de Dom Pedro 1V shows the effect of the undulating paving pattern.  But, as the drain grate in the foreground clearly demonstrates, it is a flat space. One could almost experience vertigo walking across this praca.

In this view of Praca de Dom Pedro 1V the wave pattern is so pronounced that the pavers look almost like someone has grabbed the side of the praca and given it a snap, like a blanket or tablecloth. It has a magical, surreal effect at night. Quite simply, stunning!

Whimsy and Water in Provencal Gardens:There are whimsical surprises around every corner in Provence. Medieval towns had drinking fountains and they are still gathering spots today.

This variation of a white picket gate would work in many small gardens. It creates a feeling that something different awaits you behind this gate.

This style of fountain must have been all the rage in it's day. It seemed to be in every small village in Provence. It was definitely a hit with these kids.

A not so ordinary mailbox with a playful kitty daring you to put the mail in. No room for a vine? how about a faux vine?

Different town, same fountain. Was there a fountain franchise? Mass production? Church approval? Don't know.

 No room for a real tree? Then we'll make one. Those are colored soaps, it was a soap shop. I betting there was something growing there in the past and they removed it to renovate the stone work. If you live in the same place for hundreds of years plants can become a problem.

 No really, it's a different village. Remember, this was your water supply.

 This is in the area that is famous for its Mistral winds, having experienced them I can attest to their ferocity. Similar to the Santa Ana wind in Southern California. The scrolling in this iron work evokes the wind bending branches, the grapes just hanging on and the snail looking for cover. Or is the snail heading over to eat the grapes?

 Finally a different fountain! But you don't want to drink from it, non-potable. I'm sticking to the tried but true.

Yes, the ubiquitous Cigale or Cicada. Replicas are everywhere, pottery, tableware, tablecloths, souvenirs, etc. In the summer, the sound of the Cicadas is there to remind you it's hot outside. Anyway, I found this iron Cigale very appealing.

Obviously a very different fountain from a different time built for a different reason. What can you say, those people in Aix had all the money, no drinking fountains here. The point being that fountains add allot of sight, sound and feel to a landscape. If you are going for grandiose, have the right setting for it, like this one does. So many times I see fountains that don't match anything about the architecture of a home or the style of the garden.

Guard kitty, not quite sure of us, but with a little petting he came around.

 Dog Guide...hey guys, for a bite of your sandwich I'll give you the tour.. . and he did!

Provence in the Garden: Observations on Provencal Landscape Details

 When I think of the mountain villages of Provence the first thing that stands out is the dry stack stone walls. They are everywhere and have been standing for hundreds of years. While it is usually cost prohibitive to build dry stack stone walls in the garden, when suitable rock is readily available on site we have used it with great success.

 The stone walls on the left have recently been reworked, the walls on the right have slumped a little but are still doing the job. I was glad we didn't meet another vehicle on this road.

 I love the corner of this wall. A great deal of work went into this corner and it has held up to the wear and tear it obviously has taken. This is typically recreated by the manufactured corners used for veneered concrete masonry. More expensive projects will use real ledgerstone veneered over concrete block, a great substitute, but there is nothing like the character of a real stone wall.

 I don't know if these plants were placed into this wall or if they took root over time. Either way it's a great look and we have incorporated plants into walls. Sedums, Sempervivens, Alyssum, Thyme and Germander all work well. The trick is either to set up a drip system within the wall or start the plants in the rainy season and remember to water occasionally in the summer.

 Lavender, Lavender, Lavender, it's everywhere in Provence. This is the back of the Gite we rented in early spring. This gravel walk is actually 6 ft. wide but as the lavender grows it spills into the walkway. When it blooms it brushes against you, which is wonderful if you like the smell of lavender. We created a Lavender walk in one of our gardens, it has a magical quality to it.

Olives, Olives and more Olives. There are a surprising number of Olive orchards and Olive trees in the Gardens throughout Provence. They are a smaller more cold hardy Olive tree than you find in Spain. Portugal, Greece or Italy. Picholine olives come from from these trees which were planted during medieval times and are being rejuvenated. Olive trees are remarkably well adapted to Northern California. In the right place in a garden their silvery foliage and magnificent trunks add a wonderful ambience. Their fruit can be a real nuisance when planted in the wrong place, like turf areas or over patios. large specimen trees readily transplant and create an instant Mediterranean feel. There are many more varieties beside the Mission Olive to choose from and I especially like the mature Sevillano Olive trees we installed on our projects. Mature is a relative term as Olives can live for over 1000 years.

 Cypress Trees are used in the landscape throughout Provence. Unlike Italy, for instance they aren't used just in the cemeteries. So often in our gardens in California they are planted in very narrow areas as a screen. Most of the time they become much to large for the space and either get removed or a hack prune job. I like to use them either singly to emphasis the verticality of a structure or in groupings, especially at an entrance.

 Grape Vineyards are planted throughout Provence and they range from large operations to someone planting their private yard for their own wine production. If you have the space and the interest this is a fantastic way to landscape a property. We have incorporated a few small vineyards into our designs. This area reminds me of the upper ridges on the east side of the Napa Valley. In fact Provence has many similarities in feel to both Napa and Sonoma Valleys, excluding the incredible Roman, Medieval, Renaissance and Belle Epoch history and Architecture. That is Mont Ventoux of Tour de France fame in the background.

These gorgeous red poppies aren't as plentiful in Provence as Italy or Spain but they are used. This wall was recently added to create additional parking near the entrance to a small mountain town. The poppies were probably part of a hydroseed mix to cover the soil and prevent erosion. I have seen them used just a few times in the Napa Valley. I would love to see them used more.

Hollyhocks seem to have disappeared from gardens and it's a shame. I clearly remember the tall Hollyhocks my aunt planted in her Bay Area garden. As a kid, it was fun to wait for them to go to seed and pick the seeds for use the next year. They are rather dramatic against this ruin of a stone monument.

 Plants are jammed into spaces where their seemingly is no room. This defies common sense but with the right plant material it can really soften up too much hardscape. I have incorporated tiny planting pockets into walkways and patios and have planted small vines and espaliers in them. This works especially well in paver patios, just pop out a few of the pavers and plant directly into the mix below. It requires very tough plant material, a drip system or occasional hand watering. I have had great success with espaliering Fig trees, just don't let them get too large.

Stone Pines are found in the gardens and surrounding landscape of Southern France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and many other Mediterranean countries. In Portugal they are planted in large plantations and used in the pulp industry. They are great landscape specimen trees only for a large garden. Some of the specimens planted in Capitol Park in Sacramento in the 19th century are gigantic and require special support. These pines trees have a rounded shape and blend wonderfully with Oaks, Bay trees, Madrones, etc.

This pattern of alternating wavy and straight sections is very common in the iron work in Provence. It is so simple yet it has a very dynamic feel to it. Note the short, sharp spikes between the uprights. I wouldn't want to put my foot on those to try and jump the gate, yeeow!

 This shade structure covers a patio outside a village post office. The simplicity of the structure, it's slight arch, diminished scale and color are very attractive. I'm not sure it can support a Virginia Creeper vine, but it felt incredibly sturdy to the touch. I'm also not sure of the window covering, how do you escape in an emergency? Obviously different building codes.

 This gate swings inward behind the arch. The design motif was very different, more similar to architectural patterns you see in Southern Spain or Portugal. It may be where the iron designer was from. No, we did not stay or eat here, just liked their gate.

Adult Contemporary in the Valley:This contemporary design reflects the desire of the clients to have a garden that blended with both the exterior and the interior of the residence.

 This project started with the remodel of an existing pool and finished with the remodel of the garden. The plaster and slate tile were selected to create a dramatic contrast, the new fiber-optic lighting system enhances this at night. Only the recently planted Cherry Laurels remain from the existing garden. They were pruned to reveal their trunks.

 The existing concrete was cleaned and added to. The crisp clean lines were enhanced by the use of perennials and grasses; Berkeley Sedge, Pink Muhly, Dwarf New Zealand Flax, Asian Jasmine and well structured trees; Japanese Blueberry Tree and Bronze Loquat that can be pruned in layers as they grow. Even the pathway lighting was selected for a minimalist look.

 This view across the pool is similar to the view from within the residence. The fence lines converge at an awkward angle, to obscure this line and create both a backdrop for the pool and foreground for the Cherry laurels we added a semi-circular 3ft. tall wall.

 The acrylic stucco finish is a custom blend selected to create a dramatic contrast to the other colors in this garden. Though the Feather Grass and other grasses change color during different seasons, there is very little flower color. This is a garden primarily of form and texture.

What was a planting area became a new patio area. The Duralum shade structure was a simple solution to provide shade in a development that has very rigid CC&R's, it matched the residence color and looked similar to the wood structure visible next door. It requires no maintenance and will last a lifetime. The pool equipment is behind the 6 ft. tall wall we added to counterbalance the curved wall behind the pool. A dwarf Clumping Bamboo was selected to hide the fence and continue the minimalist approach.

The Chinese Pistache Tree was left from the existing garden. It was pruned properly and is a very well behaved patio tree. Cast Iron Plant was selected to grow in the shade of the Pistache Tree. This plant is often overlooked but it will tolerate very deep shade, drought and adverse soil conditions as well as providing bold foliage contrast.

Lush Landscape in the Foothills:The challenge on this 10 acre site was to create a lush landscape on extremely rocky, poor soil, exposed to constant sunlight and strong winds.

The Infinite Edge pool sets the tone for this landscape. It provides foreground for the stunning view of the valley below. it keeps you grounded in the space while allowing you eye to wander towards the horizon.

 This site was heavily engineered. Thousands of yards of topsoil were added to the site, both to create the terraces and to provide a decent growing medium. Drip irrigation systems were used extensively to keep water loss to minimum for the thousands of plants installed.

 Though there were plenty of boulders on the site, none of them were large enough to compete with the size of the pool. We selected numerous large boulders from a construction site 10 miles away and had them hauled in. A large crane was used to place the boulders as several weigh between 15 and 20 tons. The largest boulder functions as a diving rock.

 In addition to the challenges of a hot, sunny, windy location with poor soil, we also had to select plant material that was deer resistant. having lived in deer country for years i was very familiar with what was successful. In this photo Spanish Lavender, Santa Barbara Daisy, Prostrate Rosemary and Creeping Thyme were used. The Iceberg tree roses were placed in the center of the planters to make it harder for the deer to browse.

 We used Citrus and Strawberry Madrone trees in the beds and they are thriving. Other deer resistant plant material in this photo are Dwarf English Lavender, Lamb's Ears, Snow-in-Summer, Society Garlic, Kangaroo Paws, Salvia and upright Rosemary.

 The terracing that was required to move from the back door elevation to the pool elevation was quite extensive. There is about eight ft. difference between the two. This was accomplished with the planter walls and steps creating an upper terrace, a middle terrace of stone and turf and a lower terrace at pool level of stone and concrete. The middle terrace is engineered fill soil with a layer of topsoil. The planter walls extend well below the turf terrace.

The upper terrace creates the flow to the garden as well as connecting the house, garage and future guest house together. it sits at the floor level of the interior and allows the house to flow out into the landscape. the terrace was created by the large planter walls and the addition of hundreds of yards of compacted fill.

The lower terrace is at pool level and features a mix of concrete and stone paving. One side of the pool has a covered spa, the other has a covered outdoor kitchen and dining area. The stone pavers in the turf function as the walkway to the steps of the future guesthouse. The flow of this walkway through the turf area allows the turf areas to blend together without stopping your eye at harsh edges.

 The pool is where this landscape begins and ends. We planted perennial grasses and drought tolerant groundcovers on the slope below and beside the pool. Feather Reed Grass was selected as the backdrop for the boulders. It's long white plumes are stunning during the summer months.The Eastern Redbud trees framing the view are spectacular in the early spring. Eventually there will be an even lower terraced sitting area under the native oaks accessible from the turf areas.