A California Bungalo Goes From Drab to Fab
helping people plant right, water less and garden more
Design by Maureen Decombe for Green Willow Gardens
South Bay, Northern California, Sunset Zone 15
click on the first two photos to enlarge
Broken sprinkler heads, leaky irrigation pipe, a heaved walkway entrance and the classic half-dead Heinz 57 (varieties of) lawn. The entrance to this home in San Mateo, California was hardly a reflection of the vibrant couple who live here - a talented graphic designer and an energetic high school math teacher. With clients visiting daily and busy social lives, this couple required a thoughtfully designed total renovation of their small front garden.
Its roots heaving the sidewalk, and dying branches threatening both the roof and a much beloved lemon tree, the large Carob had finally reached the end of its life as an urban tree. Having gained permission from the city to remove the tree in exchange for planting an equally delightful and more appropriate replacement, we set to work clearing out all of the grass and tree roots. Some of the mulch from this process was retained to enrich the soil.
Top priorities for the new garden were efficient water use and less maintenance, particularly an end to the tyranny of weekly lawn mowing! The family wanted color, order, fragrance and flowers, as well as easy access from the driveway to the front door. A welcoming entry path from the curb was also essential for clients.
We divided the space into three main planting areas, which surround two gracefully curving pathways of concrete pavers. A driveway constructed of the same pavers in an expanded pattern unified the hardscape into an orderly, cohesive and permeable structure upon which to build our simple but beautiful planting palette.
With the newly invigorated Lemon Tree holding down the fort in one section of the planting triad, the flaming red fall foliage of the Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis) and early spring blooms and striking winter berries of the Crabapple (Malus sargentii) offer a continual show of seasonal interest.
A supporting cast of shrubs and mostly Mediterranean perennials were chosen for ease of maintenance, color, and entertainment value; and hearty Iceberg Roses round out and soften the planting palette. Both human and feline species delight in the constant buzz of hummingbirds performing before the large picture window in the living room. The plantings also provide a steady stream of cut flowers for the home.
Beneath it all, the secret of this garden’s success is the soil and irrigation. Raised compost berms clothed in a grid of Techline inline irrigation tubing maintain ideal moisture and drainage conditions, providing uniform coverage with no evaporation or runoff. Mulch protects the irrigation tubing from degradation in the sunlight as it cools roots, maintains moisture, and keeps the weeds at bay. Once the plants were established, watering frequency was steadily reduced in order to encourage deeply rooted, drought tolerant plants.
The result is a pleasing, balanced garden that requires only occasional maintenance in exchange for week upon week of enjoyment, no mowing required!
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Green Willow Gardens is a residential design service dedicated to creating and maintaining beautiful, thriving landscapes using sustainable garden design and management techniques.
©copyright 2009, Green Willow Gardens, All Rights Reserved.
> DESIGN
Just getting started? The landscape Design Center has articles and advice on planning your garden, including lawn substitutes and alternatives, low water plant combinations, habitat gardening and more, plus authors' links to landscape design websites and blogs that specialize in sustainable design.
> INSTALL
Ready to turn your ideas into a garden? The Installation Center has information on irrigating your landscape and planting techniques.
> MAINTAIN
Now that the garden is in, how do you keep it looking its best? The Maintenance Center has articles on keeping your garden happy and healthy over time.
In addition to creating sustainable, lawn free landscapes like the one featured here, Maureen specializes in edible garden design. Recognizing design and installation are only the first steps, below are books she recommends to her clients to give them the tools they need to keep their gardens thriving.
To see books on design, plant selection, California natives and more visit our
