Executive Care Inc.

Welcome to our February edition of House2Home. Last month we recapped our discussion on our fi rst visit and talked about what goes into the design on a conceptual basis, how we go from verbal concepts to a viewable design. Through the use of a form I use, notes taken and with the aid of some computer software, we are able to reproduce a plot plan and hence the design. This is what the second visit is about. We review the design, making sure that we addressed all the concerns mentioned, as well as specific requests, such as favorite plants or trees, color areas and or water features etc. All this is covered in the second meeting. At times clients will ask how we come up with so many distinct designs, especially after having viewed our portfolio. It is a challenge to make each job unique, stand alone, but we are all different people, have different landscape settings, concerns and needs. We are all asked to solve problems in our job, and it is no different with landscaping. Whether it be a slope that appears to be too daunting to landscape, or a landscape that faces south and is unbearably hot, or so small an area that it “appears” that nothing much can effectively be done with it. In these cases and others like it; it is the concerns that infl uence the design. As in the landscape picture before us, you can see in the before picture what the “canvas” looked like. So in this edition I want to review three key concerns that the client had, and how we designed the landscape to solve them.

However before we get started I want to say a word of thanks for all the encouragement I received from our readers at the Home and Garden Show in January. It was great to see you all, and hear how much you appreciate our writings- thank you.

Now to get started. The yard shown in the first picture above was extremely unsightly and quite embarrassing for the homeowners. They are very conscientious neighbors and wanted to do their part in contributing to the overall good appearance of the neighborhood. So concern one was a new landscape, and any new landscape well done would solve their most pressing problem. However, there were two more concerns that needed to be considered in the design. One, they did not like that the only access to their front door was via the driveway. They both had sizable cars that took up much of the space which if left out, caused their guest to have to maneuver around them; or if guests parked in the driveway it caused subsequent guest the same inconvenience. So a walk way of some design was necessary. Next, in the new design they wanted to retain some lawn but were not sure how to place it. Aside from the poor appearance of their existing lawn, the lower slope portion of the lawn was always muddy and slippery to walk on. So once these problems were identified and the theme decided on (which is Mediterranean) I went to work.

Challenges I had in solving these problems had to do with the limited space of the yard and a large house. Not fully visible in the pictures, but the height of the house made the limited yard seem even smaller. So whatever we did, we had to do in a “bigger” way yet keeping everything in proportion. The “easy” part was the landscaping. I had already selected my main plants for the job, so that was not going to be a challenge, especially once the trees and their roots were removed, the ground became very workable. The challenge was incorporating the steps into the landscape. Typically steps need to be at least three feet in length with a ten inch tread. Given the smaller yard I felt the landscape could not give up that amount of space and still be balanced. In other words, I did not want the steps to be the main focus. I needed something less intrusive yet functional, so I needed to think on this. The concern the clients had with the lawn was an easy solution for us, or better said, we had the answer but it took a bit to get the “pieces of the puzzle” together. I first needed to know that I could purchase the same veneer that the house had, so identifying the veneer was step one. Once the veneer was identified, I was able to call around and found out that it was not out of production, and that locally there was enough in stock to complete the project. So that took a big concern off me. Now it was just a matter of designing the proper portion of lawn to landscape and building it. Not hard, but not fast either, it has it’s proper time. When you do a radius wall, cutting/fitting the blocks and capstones is always time consuming. However, by building the raised wall we were able to keep the lawn level, and with a French drain inside the wall there would be no concern of water collecting- and it gave a “bigger look” to a small lawn.

Finally as we were finishing the wall the solution of the steps came to me. It took some creativity to incorporate hardscape in a way that it was not designed, but it was very do-able and solved our problem. So with the steps in place and the raised wall planter completed, we were ready to landscape using plant material true to our theme. This picture is of the landscape just finished, so the plants are still somewhat small, especially given the height of the house. To help with a “tall face” we used two Tiny Tower Cypress, you can see on either side of the front window. Clients were amazed at the transformation, and we were happy. They said, and many clients say this, that they couldn’t wait to get home each night to see the progress. So that’s cool.

Last note, we are already booking appointments for March, so if you are planning a landscape please call as soon as possible. Thank you, and Good Gardening.

Welcome to March’s edition of Design Challenges. For this month and next, we will look at a large landscape project and discuss the design challenges it presented. In this edition we will give the background, note the challenges, ask the questions but answer them in our next edition (like a good mystery novel).

The project I’ve chosen is typical of many backyards in the Folsom/El Dorado/Rocklin area where a portion of the yard is given over to a slope. The percentage of level ground versus the percentage of sloped area varies with each yard. In some yards, the slope is only 20% of the yard; in others it is just the opposite, making for a very challenging job. This particular client’s percentage of slope varies, depending on whether we are viewing the west side or the east side of their yard. The pictures shown here are of the west side where about 20% of the yard is a slope. Next month we will view the other side, which is about 70% sloped.

Looking at the pictures, you can see the Before, with a bare yard and a block wall under construction, and the After. The difference is more than aesthetic. This design, like all good designs, needed to address the concerns of the homeowner. What were those concerns and what design challenges did they present? Aside from the bareness of the yard, there were three.

The most apparent, of course, is the slope. A combination of soil, rock and lava cap, it posed both a design and a physical challenge. This is jackhammer work, and at the end of the day your arms are still vibrating.

The second concern was the need for privacy and screening from the glare of a couple street lamps. Look at the After picture. Just to the right of the fi rst tree you can see one of the street lamps, and the roofs of neighboring homes. And outside the camera’s view, there is another street lamp and more exposure to the neighbors’ balconies than is desirable. As my client put it, “They can look right into my kitchen from their balconies, and at night the street lamps shine into our bedroom.”

The third challenge was related to access. My client’s husband is only mobile with the aid of a wheelchair, so elevations needed to be gradual for her to move him in and out of the house. So access from kitchen slider to the patio, from the patio to the spa (not shown), and the width and slope of sidewalk (not shown) required special attention.

Now here’s the question: How does one create a landscape that is inviting and beautiful, and yet addresses these very specifi c concerns? I think it is a lot like women’s purses. How do you design a purse that can carry the multiplicity of stuff you ladies carry and still look stylish and feminine and not like a small suitcase? On a much larger scale, landscaping is the same thing, solving at times huge problems but having the end result look like there was no problem to solve.

The answer always begins with the theme, for whatever materials we select to address the problems has to fit within the overall theme. Fortunately the theme of this yard is Northern Cal, which is a very easy theme to work with, many colors and hardscape elements agree with it. So with that said, we have laid our foundation, understand the client’s concern (and our challenges) and know the theme. Next month we will see from a “landscaper’s eyes” what the solutions were.

Welcome to our September edition of Design Challenges, and this back yard definitely had its challenges. So hang on to this copy, it will take two or possibly three editions to cover the full subject. Our clients could not have been more pleasant. In fact, with them being many years younger than I, I have appointed myself to being their Uncle Arthur. Overall, we have been blessed with great clients, I just can’t be everyone’s uncle. With that as our introduction, let’s get started.

As you know with each and every edition, theme is always front and center, and for our clients it was pretty much set. They have vacationed in Hawaii and having enjoyed it, wanted to bring some of that home; so tropical was our theme. With each theme, I always discuss what I consider to be the benefits and the challenges. With a tropical landscape, high maintenance and frost concerns would be the challenges. Given those concerns, I was able to encourage them into a Tropical/Mediterranean blended theme. It is very worrisome and impractical to go out each night forecasted to freeze, and cover eighty or so tropical plants. So the blended theme maintains the “feel”, but introduces plants that are hardier.

With the theme decided, what were the design challenges? Was it the weedy condition of the yard? Well admittedly that didn’t help, it is always helpful to see the contour of the yard, but that was not the challenge. It was the layout of the yard. The yard is divided into very distinct sections, both in size and shape, and in sun light. The dividing aspects are the pool and a sizable wood deck that encircles a large Oak (not shown). Creating a harmony or a flow was going to be the challenge, especially with the varying light, from full sun all day, to shade for most of the day. Also capturing the fullness of the yard in a picture to show is just not possible. There is not one picture or position that can capture the whole yard, so as mentioned, keep your copy and next month we will see another area.

I am always asked, “Arthur if this was your back yard (or front yard) what would you do?” I have about five minutes to come up with a general design. So how is that done? Well I look for the obvious first, which the Oak tree could not be more obvious. It told me that I would need to use larger sized palms and trees. The next thing I look for is if there is a need for privacy. This is a big deal for you ladies, and yes there is definitely a need for that. Next what request do the clients have? They had two, one was to create an area for a future fire pit, and the other was to use stepping stones in the landscape.

In the picture shown at the top, notice that the center area remains without plants, which represents the location of the future fire pit. Also notice the stepping stones, they curve around and go down a side planter. At first I tried to persuade them to not use the stepping stones, the area down the side was already so narrow, but they wanted them. Of course the client always wins. In the end I really liked them; it was an added feature that tied the two sections together. By planting two mature palms on either side of the pathway it emphasized the pathway. The look is similar to how an archway emphasis an entrance into a garden. These are some of the things I look for, and the questions I ask when coming up with an initial plan. So in answering the question, I emphasize the need for larger plant material and the need for privacy. And since the trees will be so close to the pool, they need to be evergreen and smaller trees.

Lastly we would repeat the use of specific plants in all the planters to tie the yard together. It is the obvious things I start with, and as we finish discussing and I’m left alone to start taking measurements and counts, more ideas come to me that I share with our clients later in our second meeting. However this gets me started. I have yet to repeat the same landscape twice which is amazing to me, and a big Amen; for I know where my inspiration comes from. Until next time – Good Gardening.

Welcome to our September edition, and our continued discussion of this landscape theme. Last month we discussed the concept of the design, how it came from three basic areas; the client’s needs, what I felt would be beneficial based on their needs, and the space we had to work with. These three thoughts, though very basic, are the foundation of all our designs. From here comes putting an “identity” to these thoughts/needs, or in other words a landscape design. Following the design, is the execution, the building or construction phase and that is what we reviewed last month. If you would like to learn or read about this phase, it is available on our website under “publications” or Home Improvement & Remodeling Magazine’s website, but for this article – let’s talk plants.

I have mentioned this before, but it is worth re-mentioning, as a landscaper, I see many yards, meet new friends (one of the best parts of my job) and see what has been built/landscaped prior to me. In some cases, the hardscapes are very elaborate, yet for the most part they are minimally used; and I see why, the landscape is non-inviting, rather boring and generic. The two must complement each other to have a yard that is both functional, via the hardscape, and inviting, via the landscape. In the design shown, we could have built the hardscape exactly as you see it, selected some very ordinary plants, and the outcome would have been completely different, plain and non- inviting. So when the two, hardscape and softscape, are “married,” they must each support one another.

Recently I spoke to the client of this landscape. She shared with me what a pleasant evening her girlfriend and her enjoyed recently while sitting out on the patio visiting and viewing the landscape. The evenings are usually so pleasant here, and with the night lighting the yard can be enjoyed for hours. So what are the plants that work for this theme? Well some you will know, Dwarf Gardenias, Ferns, Hydrangeas, Camellias, and Japanese Maples etc. are some of the most recognizable varieties, but there are others that are not as well known; Daphnes, Carex, Huecheras, Thujas and Viburnums are some that are not widely known or used. It is the combination of these, knowing their maturing heights and how and where to place them that makes for an attractive garden. Placing them too close or too far apart, or next to another plant that will outgrow them and eventually hide them from view does not work. So variety is very good, and knowing how to use them together is even better. So some studying is necessary to understand the heights, widths and sun tolerances of the plants, whether they are evergreen or deciduous, and what they have to offer in foliage color, texture, flower and when they flower etc. Some knowledge can be booked learned, but most is experience, or if you’re a “do it yourselfer”, trial and error. One of the great benefits of my working in wholesale nurseries for many years is the exposure to a wide variety of plants and their growth habits. A good place for you to start is at a retail nursery. You can read the description tags, view the plants and learn if that particular plant would work for your situation. That is how I started, except I started on a six hundred acre nursery of what seemed to me at the time like a “billion” plants; with my plant book, taking notes and pictures as I walked. It was a great education.

Last point I want to make deals with landscaping slopes. Remember that water runs down hill. Ok, so is that your point you say? Nothing new with that; however, in translating that over to landscaping means that your plants at the bottom of the slope need to like water, or tolerate wetter roots, or you will be constantly replacing plants. As with this landscape, the slope did not end with the plants. The lawn begins below the plants mid way down the slope and continues to the bottom of the slope – so I was not concerned with wet soil, but I mentioned it for your sake. Also read Plant Talk to learn of a couple such plants that can handle wetter roots.

Next month we will look at a full sun, Northern California landscape, it will be interesting and fun to see the transformation.
Until next time – Good Gardening.

Plant Talk

This month we will discuss two plants that can tolerate wetter roots. A “normal plant”, once established, does best when it is watered thoroughly and then has a drying period where the soil goes from wet to semi moist. At the base of a hill, the opportunity to become semi-moist never happens. It is always wetter at the base of the hill. Knowledge of plants that actually can live in wetter soils is essential when choosing plants. Two such plants, are Agapanthus Elaine and Acorus Ogon. Agapanthus Elaine is a much better choice over the over planted

Agapanthus Africanus that grows to 2’ feet, and its other relatives, Queen Anne a medium grower to 12” inches, and Peter Pan the smallest of the family, growing to 8” inches or less. Elaine grows in height similar to Queen Anne, but unlike Queen Anne with its pale blue flower, it has beautiful dark purple flowers. In early morning or evening light it almost looks fluorescent. It blooms later than its boring relatives, blooming from about mid to late July, and going through August with a multiple of stems filled with blooms. It’s claim to fame is that it is so easy to use, virtually even “black thumbs” can’t kill this plant. It will grow in full sun, among normal plants, it will grow in wet surroundings, and it will grow in filtered light. Aside from this, another very important quality of this plant is its ability to live in the shade till about 2:30 pm, and then receive the hot afternoon sun without burning. There are only a handful of plants that can do this. I shared with you one last month, Cornus Elegantissima Alba – Coral Bark Dogwood.

Our next water lover is Acorus Ogon, it loves wetness and can even grow in water. Its common name is Japanese Sweet Flag, and the yellow variegated foliage adds color in shade gardens. If you notice the most common shade plants are just green. There are not a lot of plants that have other foliage colors, so this one is a welcomed addition. It does not like the afternoon sun, it will burn. It requires filtered, in-direct sun, especially in the summer. There are some plantings of these along East Roseville Parkway and I cannot for the life of me understand why this plant was selected? So use it in your shade garden, and it is a super nice addition to Asian themes. Blessings

Welcome to our August edition. Last month we emphasized the beauty of a maturing landscape by letting enlarged pictures speak for themselves and showing the progression to a more mature landscape. It can be insightful for you to see different themes and how they develop through the months and years. I know from our client’s comments that based on their past experiences they had no idea of how beautiful and enjoyable a landscape can be. It is very rewarding when a client tells me they look forward to the weekend to relax and enjoy their yard. It’s great, being able to connect us back to nature, and to ourselves. Continue reading ‘August: Northern CA Shade’

Welcome to summer – it finally arrived, and to our July edition. So far in our series we have covered two themes: the Asian Theme and the Mediterranean Theme. In discussing both themes, we have followed a similar procedure in discussing hardscape/structure in the first edition, and then plants in the second. By taking two months to discuss each design theme and their challenges, we have been able to show more pictures of the same yard, giving you a better “look” at the theme in discussion. In reviewing the past two themes, for the Asian Theme’s second part (March 2011) I switched over to a smaller yard. I wanted to show you that a theme is determined more by selection of hardscape and plants, than defined by space. Continue reading ‘July: Beauty’

Welcome to our August edition, in which we will look more closely at our NorCal shade garden with Asian accents. In last month’s article we used two phrases to describe the challenges of this project.

The first was “turning a negative into a positive.” We were renovating an area in the garden that had not been used or cared for in some time. At the same time, we were creating usable space on a slope. With that quick review, it is important to note that the challenge of turning a negative into a positive is not unique to slopes. It is what good landscaping is supposed to do. Slopes simply intensify that challenge.

The second phrase we used last month was a quote from Mr. Miagi to the Karate Kid, “Balance, Daniel, balance.” I will be focusing the rest of this article on balance because it pertains to everything from the size of the patio, the size of the steps, the boulders, and of course the maturing sizes of the plants. It all has to “fit” –and not just fit this year, but next and the next. So let’s start with the hardscape first.

In doing this particular hardscape, I decided to layout the size and shape of both the patio and the steps on the ground with marker paint. Though I was working from our landscape design, seeing it on the ground assured me of the balance that I wanted. It is not easy to make adjustments on hillsides, especially when space is at a premium.

Once the area was outlined, we began to excavate and create a trench for the footing for the walls of the patio. Proper footings for patios, walls and steps on a slope are very important. Getting that first row partially below grade locks it into to the hillside, and assures the stability of the rest of structure. Once completed, both patio and steps, it really started to come to life for our clients, and they were in for a wonderful surprise with the plant selection I had planned!

Balance with plants deals not only with plant sizes as they grow, that one plant does not grow over another in the process of maturing, but also with the final size at maturity. For example, look at the fence line. Behind the boulders you see a row of Thujas. They make a very nice “green fence” and as they mature will give the area a sense of place. A sense of place is a design term used to describe a setting that has a unique feel, different from but complimentary to its surroundings. The Thujas serve as a backdrop to an assortment of plants with varying heights and widths, and which adds visual interest. Ninety five percent of these plants selected do not grow beyond a 2 ½ foot size, both in height and width, and many are under that. The few that exceed that size are deciduous, and can be hard pruned in the winter.

Correct plant sizing is critical in all landscapes, as is determining what plants go next to each other. We want a full landscape, but also a feeling of space and variety so that there is something interesting and beautiful to look at from all angles. Designing a small area like this one is much like buying a sports car. You want it to have everything the bigger cars have, but in proportion.

In addition to sizing, the conditions of the garden must be taken into consideration. This particular slope is largely shaded, but you can see in the pictures that there is some light. It is an east west exposure till about 2:30 when the sun goes behind some very large Redwood trees. Before that, different areas of the garden receive varying amounts of light, some filtered, and some direct. Knowing the shade and sun times is essential to a good design because it contributes to the balance through appropriate placement of the plants. Some shade plants can handle direct sun, and obviously some cannot.

As you can see, a well- balanced design takes many factors into account. The result is a garden that is both beautiful and functional for years to come. Until next time – Good Gardening!

Welcome to our June edition, and our continued discussion on the Mediterranean Theme. In May we addressed some of the construction concerns we had with this project, as well as the concerns of the client. Access, a commonly shared concern for all sloped landscapes, and the phase of the project that represents the greatest effort, was achieved by using stone treads as steps and pressure treated wood with 2” galvanized posts as the retaining wall, which in turn framed out the walk. For more discussion of this phase, please see last month’s article under publications on my website (or Home Improvement’s website). Continue reading ‘June:Design Challenges Part V’

Welcome to our July edition. I think it is safe to say that summer has arrived, and it seems to be making up for lost time. At the time of this writing (June 20th) we are in the low 90′s, and the high 90′s are forecasted for the coming week. So before starting, let me make some suggestions with pertaining to watering our landscapes. Most of us understand lawns. We can see if we are not watering sufficiently, the lawn becomes a dull gray green and then turns brown without added water. So the best tip and the easiest is to make sure that the sprinklers are clearing the lawn by two inches. This will provide even water distribution. Many dull or/brown spot is for lack of adequate sprinkler clearance. Other reasons could be a nozzle malfunction (has debris, turned wrong or wrong size) or third, you simply have poor coverage in that area and need to add another sprinkler.

Now plants on the other hand are a different story. They are not as easy to tell when they are stressing, but they do give signs. Their interior leaves yellow, they lose color, the tips wilt, and/or poor to erratic growth, are some of these signs. Watering times for plants, assuming each plant has two emitters with proper gallon age, and that is a BIG ASSUMPTION because most yards do not, would be a half hour (1/2hr.) of watering five to six days a week, depending upon whether the yard is full sun or divided between sun and shade. If your drip system is not set up as described, or you have not done the suggestions for the lawn then that would be your first task and the best investment in caring for your landscape. If you need help, call. Now for the article.

Many years ago when I started Executive Care (in 1989) I was on a maintenance consultation in Granite Bay, and the client was talking to me about the steepness of his back yard and the challenge it was to achieve what he now enjoyed. He made a particular comment that grabbed my attention, he said (a direct quote) ” that a negative had been turned into a positive” and truly it was a yard that I enjoyed being in. From then till now, his words have stayed with me as I have viewed several hundred yards in my career. Those words remain right in the fore front of my mind.

So our landscape this month is no different, taking a negative and making it a positive. In fact this area of the yard has become our clients favorite place to “hang out”. It is a great place to have morning coffee, or evening dinners. It is unique in that it is a shade landscape with a slope – most slopes are full sun or somewhat filtered. By no means a large area, it necessitated careful selection of the plants and the right sizing of the design features. We did not want to overwhelm the area or make it too busy, and we wanted it balanced for years to come. As Mr.Meaugee told karate kid- “balance Daniel, balance”. Those are good words for this yard, and a principle design challenge when working with smaller spaces.

The theme is for this yard is Northern Cal shade, with some Asian accents – a nice combination considering the shade and the surrounding mature landscape. Prior to landscaping this area it was the trampoline/gang up on Dad area. However with the kids now young adults, the area has not been used for some time. It also is right next to a major walking/viewing area, and had become an eye sore for our clients. We completed the landscape in February, so the landscape still has a lot of maturing to do. Next month you will see a current picture of the landscape and can compare the growth. I am very pleased with the results, and more importantly the clients are, so it has become truly a negative turned into a positive. Next month we will get into the design challenges that I noted. Until next month – Good Gardening.

Welcome to our June edition of Design Challenges, the second part of our “mountain theme” landscape. I did not mention the theme last month, but now you know. One of our client’s favorite destination places is Tahoe, so the goal was to bring her a little bit of Tahoe in her own back yard.

Last month we discussed the construction part of the landscape. The challenge there was to “break down” the slope in order to create reasonable access for our client, now in her seventies, and a tanning area for her sun-loving granddaughters. This month I want to focus on the hardscape selections, and a few of the plants that contributed to giving the theme it’s “presentation.”

The first hardscape material is indigenous, literally, and was not part of the original design. Every time we dug a hole to plant in, we got a shovel full or more of cobble. To dump cobble would cost a fortune, because dump fees are assessed according to weight. So we decided to incorporate the cobble into the design.

The other two hardscape materials were planned from the beginning. For the walking medium, we selected decomposed granite. Decomposed granite is great for this theme, but to be useful year-round it needs to be compacted—otherwise it will become messy in the winter. The slope, however, made the use of the heavy vibrator/compactor plate impossible. So borrowing a concept from the cement trade, we decided to mix mortar into the upper 2” of the walk, compact it with a hand compactor, and then water it in. The plan worked very well, and kept the walk looking natural. The challenge with the flagstone was to find one that would integrate well with the cobble and the decomposed granite. After some scouting around at different yards, I settled on this multi-colored stone which has all the earth tones I wanted.

With the hardscape complete, it was time for the plants—my favorite part of any landscape. I am, as you know, a plant fanatic. I so enjoy the beauty that God has put in His creation. When I am working with plants, I feel like a painter using plants to paint the canvas of the earth.

As I “paint” a specific theme, I always use plants that are expressive of the theme, while trying to capture some of the extraordinary diversity of nature. We incorporate at least fifty to a hundred different varieties per job, depending upon whether it is full sun or shade, or a mix of both. To see some of the key plants you will need to look at last month’s article and this month. In last month, you see close to the interestingly shaped boulder a Coleonema Sunset Gold, a Red Yucca and a grass called Little Bunny; each with distinct texture and color, yet very complimentary together. In this month’s pictures, a key plant is the pine tree toward the lower “back” of the picture that shows the tanning bench. This plant is Pinus Thundercloud. It is a dwarf pine with a very interesting growth habit, a very cool addition to the overall landscape.

The Tahoe/mountain theme is not for everyone. It is rugged-looking, especially when it is first planted. But as the garden matures (these pictures show three years of growth), even those who would not choose this theme for their own yard can appreciate its beauty. As you consider the theme that most pleases you, please plan ahead for your landscape needs. We are blessed to have so many good clients calling on us, keeping us extremely busy. Thank you for your patronage of Executive Care. I will leave you with this thought—A job done right brings years of enjoyment, in which the wait is not remembered.

Welcome to our May edition.

I hope this finds everyone well and that the warmer weather is inviting you to spend more time in your gardens.

Last month we introduced the Mediterranean theme. In comparison to Asian, the Mediterranean theme is more relaxed and therefore lower maintenance. With respect to maintenance, it is the “middle ground” between Asian and the designed overgrowth of a tropical landscape. It continues to be a favored theme around pools, and hence many landscape companies have done their own rendition of it. The challenge for me is to keep it fresh and unique, even from our own designs. This therefore requires a little more thought in plant selection so as to make our Mediterranean landscapes stand out among the others, and unique to that homeowner. Continue reading ‘May:Design Challenges Part IV’

Welcome to March’s edition of Design Challenges. For this month and next, we will look at a large landscape project and discuss the design challenges it presented. In this edition we will give the background, note the challenges, ask the questions but answer them in our next edition (like a good mystery novel).

The project I’ve chosen is typical of many backyards in the Folsom/El Dorado/Rocklin area where a portion of the yard is given over to a slope. The percentage of level ground versus the percentage of sloped area varies with each yard. In some yards, the slope is only 20% of the yard; in others it is just the opposite, making for a very challenging job. This particular client’s percentage of slope varies, depending on whether we are viewing the west side or the east side of their yard. The pictures shown here are of the west side where about 20% of the yard is a slope. Next month we will view the other side, which is about 70% sloped.

Looking at the pictures, you can see the Before, with a bare yard and a block wall under construction, and the After. The difference is more than aesthetic. This design, like all good designs, needed to address the concerns of the homeowner. What were those concerns and what design challenges did they present? Aside from the bareness of the yard, there were three. Continue reading ‘Mar.:Design Challenges Part II’

Welcome to our February edition, a series on landscape themes.  Theme is a recurring topic for me; in fact, in every client meeting, it is priority one. For those of you who regularly read our publication, you understand the importance of deciding on a theme for garden design. It is the common thread that ties all the elements, the hardscape, water features, pots, colors, plant and tree choices together. Continue reading ‘Feb. : Deciding the Theme’