Keith and Nancy were looking for a low-maintenance replacement for their small front lawn. They live in the foothills near Lake Jennings, so are subject to relatively hot summers that demand tons of water to keep this patch green. They wanted to keep the view from their living room of their existing landscaping, planted in terraces going down to the street, so we devised a plan using groundcovers and low-statured shrubs.
The design features a different shrub and associated groundcover in each corner, with different flower colors -- yellow, white, blue, and red, in each corner. In the center a hybrid Manzanita provides a focal point for the garden as it is pruned to emphasize its twisted, gnarly stems. These elments are united by a carpet of hybrid Sage winding through the garden. This low-growing Sage acts as a groundcover, so we didn’t even add mulch, making this garden an example of natives performing in fairly harsh conditions. |
The garden is almost two years old and is filling in nicely. The groundcover Sage has grown like gangbusters, filling in so well it had to be trimmed to make space for other species to grow. San Diego Sunflower, the focal shrub in the yellow zone has also filled in quickly, but the central Manzanita and a low shrub Ceanothus have been growing more slowly. Since they’ve survived through the summer heat, I’m confident they’ll get there; the growth has just been mostly below the surface.
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As the garden has developed, a couple of changes have been made to the original plan. A taller Ceanothus meant to eventually replace the rosemary in the corner has died and wasn’t replaced. They also added a stepping stone walkway, for better garden access. The groundcover Sage was intended for this, but the walkway is a great addition.
These photos were taken in early winter, with only the San Diego Sunflower in bloom. I’ll add more photos as the flower show proceeds through spring and summer.
These photos were taken in early winter, with only the San Diego Sunflower in bloom. I’ll add more photos as the flower show proceeds through spring and summer.