A lovely Spanish Revival home provides an excellent backdrop for climate-appropriate plantings and Southern California outdoor living.
Queen Palms flank the bay window. The existing Podocarpus hedge creates part shade and part sun exposure in the front bed, featuring succulents, native ornamental grasses, Gazania ground cover, and Variegated Lavender.
Concrete steps ascend the planted slope from the sidewalk to the flat planting areas and pathway leading to the home's entry.
Stabilized decomposed granite replaced the parkway's grass. Black steel edging creates a breathable bark-covered area for the street trees. After removing the cooling lawn surface, the parkway trees prevent a 'Heat Island.'
A potted Persian 'Bearss' Lime is the focal point of this planting bed sitting above the reclaimed broken concrete retaining wall.
Raised natural cedar planters support a healthy popular life style.
A colorful planting bed separates the outdoor fire table room and a custom screening Star Jasmine vine trellis. The vine trellis comprises steel mesh attached to rough-sawn cedar posts and plant-ons. The fragrant Star Jasmine shown is less than one year after planting and has already reached the top of the mesh panels.
This newly planted vertical green planter box is framed with unfinished natural cedar. Spacers between the box and the house provide air circulation and minimal impact on the stucco. The interior of the box is waterproofed before installing the planting pockets. The green wall features concealed automatic irrigation and drainage.
Does this outdoor dining room need an overhang? No, but without it, the sense of space is not well defined, diminishing one's willingness to stay.
Reclaimed broken concrete establishes the upper terrace. Repurposed Variegated Agaves, Aloes, and Aeoniums accompany the new slope plantings.
Form, color, texture, water requirement, and sun exposure, that is how to properly select plants.
Stabilized decomposed granite creates the floor of this outdoor room featuring a natural gas fire table and seating. Rectilinear planters and Sansevieria make a layered separation between the space and the tall hedge.
A custom vertical green wall planter creates a vocal point for an outdoor dining room defined by a rough-sawn natural cedar overhang with festive string patio lighting.
Under this overhang is an excellent place for family and friends to gather and enjoy meals and refreshments in the temperate Southern California climate.