This design in Carmel Valley does such a wonderful job of playing with color and texture that I thought it warranted a Project Spotlight. (Sadly, I can't identify the designer because I don't know who did it, but if anyone does, please let me know! I would love to credit them). A few things I especially like about this landscape:
- The color! Drought tolerant landscaping can't be accused of being too grey when there are landscapes like this around. Reds, greens, blues, and all sorts of variegation- this is full of color!
- I like the course textures of the plant material with the Spanish Colonial architecture. The overall effect is both artistic and rustic.
- I like the match of the yellow and green variegated Aeonium with the yellow and green variegated flax.
- I like the pairing of Agonis flexulosa 'Afterdark' with its weeping burgundy foliage and the bolder red of the flax in front of it. Anyone care to identify the flax? Maybe Phormium 'Amazing Red'?
- This garden makes great use of specimen succulents. These larger succulents can be hard to find. I like to check Rancho Soledad nursery in Rancho Santa Fe- not only do they have wonderful large specimens to chose from, but they also take you around their very large nursery in a golf cart, which I always find fun.
Just a quick photo for today: a wonderful trellis I came across in my ramblings around South Park. There are so many prefab trellis panels out there, but you don't see custom ones very often. This one works wonderfully with its Craftsman home. It looks like a pattern inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass.
Ornamental grasses have seen a real rise in popularity recently as a wonderful way to soften a drought tolerant landscape. Less popular, but equally beautiful, are reeds and rushes. They do like a little more water, but with an efficient irrigation system (like a drip system) they are perfectly suitable in your drought tolerant landscape.
An espalier is a tree or shrub pruned to grow in a flat, two-dimensional plane. Typically they are used against walls or fences. Historically, espaliers were often fruit trees, especially apples, because their shape allows the remaining leaves to photosynthesize efficiently, ripening fruit quickly. They are ideal for small gardens and courtyards.
Other good options for an espalier: figs, lemons, limes, satsumas, plums, and peaches. If you have seen another interesting espalier, let us know!
Vertical Gardens, Living Walls, or Green Walls are all used to describe a fascinating facade of plants applied in the vertical. Many give credit for inventing the art form to French designer Patrick Blanc, but it has proliferated all over the world, especially in urban areas.
