Fall color in San diego is when.... the aloes bloom?

Ask a landscape designer what it is that makes it fall in San Diego, and you won't get a simple answer like the leaves changing color, because sometimes they do but mostly they don't really. At least not spectacularly. At least that is what folks from the East Coast tell me, and I'm willing to admit they have a point (well, see past articles for my rant on that issue).

What does happen here in the fall is that the Aloes bloom and some of the aloes even change color to a lovely flaming red/orange. Many of them will last into the winter, so you'll have plenty of time to catch them at it!

© Kate Wiseman 2010. Want your own waterwise landscape design? Please visit www.sageoutdoordesigns.com for more info.

Arty aeriums

These little aeriums are from Flora Grubb gardens in San Francisco. I love how delicate and whimsical they are, like tiny little worlds you could just stare and stare at. For those of us who don't live in SF, you can still have them! They are on their web shop (and yes, they are tiny- the largest one is 2.5" wide by 6" tall).



Flora has her own rendition of the hanging globe terrarium that you have probably seen with succulents (say, at Mixture in Little Italy or Pigment in North park) only hers is a little more whimsical because she uses Tillandsia (aka Air Plants or Air Bromileads) instead of succulents. It comes as a kit and you place the Tillandsia yourself. Yes, I'd like to have one these! While you are on their web shop, take a look around, 'cause it is crammed with fabulous things.



















© Kate Wiseman 2010. Want your own waterwise landscape design? Please visit www.sageoutdoordesigns.com for more info.

Floating deck

I love the clean, modern look of this swimming pool and its floating deck by Three Sixty Design. Especially because of the natural garden that surrounds it, it is reminiscent of one of those floating docks they have for swimming to (and sunning on) in lakes in the mid-west. The perfect spot for letting all your worries float away.

© Kate Wiseman 2010. Want your own waterwise landscape design? Please visit www.sageoutdoordesigns.com for more info.

Reclaimed and salvaged materials make this garden

The Brooklyn-based Future Green Studio designed this urban garden featuring the creative re-use of salvaged materials like wood from shipping palettes, tin ceiling tiles (see the bottom two images for how these patina over time as their steel backing rusts), mirrors (wrapped in chicken wire so that even if they break they still work in the space), and used cobblestones. The space is a central courtyard in what was once a pillow factory, but is now a hip shopping mall. They call the project "The Loom" and make sure to visit their website and blog to learn more about it and see a few before photos. 

© Kate Wiseman 2010. Want your own waterwise landscape design? Please visit www.sageoutdoordesigns.com for more info.

Trendy succulent vertical gardens and living pictures

Okay, yes, this is trendy. And I don't usually do trendy, but I'm not exactly immune either, and every once in a while something trendy catches my eye and I just have to share it.

These are called Living Pictures by the guys at Succulent Gardens Plants (who sell a nice user friendly kit), but I have also heard them called living walls or vertical gardens. They can be mounted on a wall once the succulents have got an established root system, and they need minimal watering. They are perfect for that really narrow side yard with a nice big kitchen window looking out onto nothing. Now you can have something, and something pretty darn interesting. And trendy. Yah, that, too.

© Kate Wiseman 2010.

Creative stairs and stairway designs for the garden

Cor-Ten stairs and retaining walls by Andrea Cochran

By their nature, steps and stairs are utilitarian (something around 12" long and 6" tall, give or take) but they don't need to look like it. Here are a few examples of stairs that rise to the level of art:

Elegant stairway and vanishing edge reflecting pool by Joseph Marek

Brick steps with creeping groundcover by Molly Wood

Estate stairs by Mark Rios, photo by Dominique Vorillon

Modern floating steps by Jensen Architects

Modern Fire Pit designs

You have all heard my rants about how ugly most fire pits are. So this is a continuation in my series about fire pits that break the stereotype: ones that are interesting, different, and beautiful. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, today is going to be a buffet of photos of unique fire pits.

Some of the fire pits I have shown you in the past are custom designed. Instead, today's photos are ones that are made by talented artists and product designers. What that means for you is that all of them are available for purchase online, so if you love one of them, click on the link and get one for yourself!

Ecosmart lantern casts a mysterious glow

Sculptural fire bowl by John T. Unger

EcoSmart bulb fire lantern

Go mid-century modern with ModFire

Precast concrete with a very clean line and smooth finish by Solus Decor

With the Wok Fire Pit by Potted you get affordable minimalism

Mesa series fire pit by Raw Urth Designs

Chiminea series blends the line between fireplace and fire pit

© Kate Wiseman 2010.