When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

One of our aquascape fire fountains. Can be an incredible add on to any new or pre-existing water feature.
Идея дизайна: маленький участок и сад на заднем дворе в морском стиле с местом для костра, садовой дорожкой или калиткой, водопадом, полуденной тенью и покрытием из гальки для на участке и в саду

Coastal Entry Garden
Стильный дизайн: маленький солнечный засухоустойчивый сад на переднем дворе в морском стиле с дорожками, хорошей освещенностью и покрытием из гальки для на участке и в саду - последний тренд

Tropical Waterfall adorned with natural rock and pebbles that descends to a pond with beautiful Tropical foliage including our favorites the Bromeliads.

Front yard make-over. Building on existing elements (Palm trees) we removed a lot of outgrown and outdated material and freshened up the patio borders with colorful canna's, various bromeliads, Alocasia California, and a fresh layer of mulch and landscape pebbles. Landscape boulders break up the lines and specimen Bromeliads provide touches of interest.

Front yard design in Naples Reserve with modern tropical plants lined with a Mexican beach pebble border. Included larger bromeliads, bird of paradise with multiple blooms, multiple 14' foxtail palms, an agave, red ti, foxtail ferns and mammy crotons. This design is supposed to look full after plants mature.

This gorgeous landscape install was designed to minimize runoff into the client's driveway. We chose plants with low-water needs, beautiful + ethically-sourced river rock, and hand-selected landscape boulders for this property.

Beautiful rock garden surrounding pool with assorted hosta
Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: весенний засухоустойчивый сад среднего размера на заднем дворе в морском стиле с полуденной тенью и покрытием из гальки

На фото: участок и сад на переднем дворе в морском стиле с покрытием из гальки

An award winning show garden inspired by Aldeburgh beach in Suffolk. The garden includes a sunken seating area with sand floor, a 'fisherman's hut' outdoor bar and kitchen, an upturned boat seat and driftwood screen. This style of garden would be ideal for a coastal property.

When guests come over, this parkway now stays clean with easy accessing to entering and existing their cars.
На фото: маленький солнечный засухоустойчивый сад на переднем дворе в морском стиле с садовой дорожкой или калиткой, хорошей освещенностью и покрытием из гальки для на участке и в саду

На фото: участок и сад среднего размера на заднем дворе в морском стиле с покрытием из гальки

Over the years, I've been experimenting by adding succulents, ferns and bromeliads because of their beautiful color!
На фото: засухоустойчивый сад на переднем дворе в морском стиле с покрытием из гальки

Идея дизайна: маленький летний сад с прудом на заднем дворе в морском стиле с покрытием из гальки для на участке и в саду

Front yard make-over. Building on existing elements (Palm trees) we removed a lot of outgrown and outdated material and freshened up the patio borders with colorful canna's, various bromeliads, Alocasia California, and a fresh layer of mulch and landscape pebbles. Landscape boulders break up the lines and specimen Bromeliads provide touches of interest.

New plantings in a bed of stones
Стильный дизайн: участок и сад на заднем дворе в морском стиле с клумбами и покрытием из гальки - последний тренд

In addition to the river rocks we like to incorporate larger rocks that give the area character without taking away from the style of the area.
Пример оригинального дизайна: огромный солнечный, летний засухоустойчивый сад на переднем дворе в морском стиле с камнем в ландшафтном дизайне, хорошей освещенностью и покрытием из гальки

Идея дизайна: летний участок и сад среднего размера на склоне в морском стиле с покрытием из гальки и с деревянным забором

Quan Yin, Buddha
Идея дизайна: солнечный засухоустойчивый сад на переднем дворе в морском стиле с хорошей освещенностью и покрытием из гальки