Stewart Family Garden - Palo Alto, California

Strong structural elements and a bold mixture of materials makes this landscape an ideal fit with the existing architecture.  As always, we augment the already forward-looking space with clean, low maintenance, low water & California native plantings very well suited to the urban setting. 

Taproot Garden Design & Fine Gardening worked with Confidence Landscaping in changing this unusable space into a relaxing place to lounge.  Perfect for everyday use, complete with an inviting hammock for casual naps, and plenty of circulation room for large social events or kids birthday parties.

The clean lines and neutral tones of wood and concrete complement the bright evergreen shrubs and trees.

The redwood retaining wall, grey decomposed granite, concrete pavers, and concrete raised planter boxes make a great combination.

Analog pavers are set in stabilized decomposed granite - the main connection to all aspects of the garden.  Circulation is uncomplicated with clear paths in all directions.

Mendocino Reed Grasses (Calamagrostis foliosa) are planted at the base of the Olive tree.  A raised box built around the grandfathered Olive tree doubles as seating for family 'movie nights' in the garden.  

A row of evergreen California native Myrica californica (Pacific Wax Myrtle) will eventually cover the fence entirely with its bright apple green leaves.

Smaller specimen plantings, spaced a few feet apart, allow for extra seating on the retaining wall when the main patio areas are full.

Ipe wood, redwood, and concrete features are found throughout the garden.

Shade is cast upon all seating areas with a combination of evergreen California native Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' trees and a 'Swan Hill' Olive tree.

 This raised wood planter box doubles as seating, while a non-fruiting 'Swan Hill' Olive tree provides shade.

Main stage - The scene where important conversations and s'mores are made. 

The ipe wood deck seamlessly connects with the concrete patio for a smooth transition from one space to the next.

Clean and stable path work helps to keep the eyes on the plants instead of the footfall. 

Tan seed heads of the California native Mendocino Reed Grasses complement the purple wands of 'Munstead' Lavenders.  Lime, Orange, and Lemon trees are happier with bee attracting Lavenders surrounding them.

Square 2' x 2' concrete pavers set in grey decomposed granite, makes for a clean and stable walking surface.

A view of the hammock from the main patio area.

Afternoon naps in the hammock, under the shade of an Olive tree, are induced by wild bird songs.

A decomposed granite path leads from the main garden area to the hammock, which is located far across from the main patio fire pit area.  Solitude can be found here.

Orange Clock Vines (Thunbergia gregorii) grace the fence with bright sherbert orange flowers from spring through fall.

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A Cool Mediterranean Garden - Mountain View, California

This gardens previous owners had lawn and invasive bamboo that took two years of concentrated effort for the current homeowner's to remove.  Like a sweet song or a good poem, Taproot Garden Design worked with Nancy & Shahzad's brilliant personal style and combined ideas to create a garden with unique, eclectic, and artistic elements.  Now, the homeowner's treasure their daily breakfasts and evening dinners in this garden of cool blues, greens, and greys that relax the mind and body.  Two espaliered apple trees, three espaliered peach trees, and a Pomegranate tree provide for the bees in the spring and sweet fruit for the homeowner's from summer through fall.

The Village Gardener, members of  the California Landscape Contractor's Association installed this garden just over a year ago, in the spring months of 2014 and it is looking fantastic!

Back Yard Design

Subtle blend of cool colors & textures are soothing to the eyes & hands.

Wicker chairs and a wood table match the natural grey tones of the unstained redwood deck.

An alluring view...

Simple tile embellishments in the concrete makes all the difference and adds substantial theme, interest & personal flair.

The soft plumes of Mendocino Reed Grass (Calamagrostis foliosa) soften the edges of the concrete planter.  The union of the redwood deck and the concrete planter are seamless and demonstrate that the right materials, used together effectively in design, create a sense of creativity and novelty.

A Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) and four Mendocino Reed Grasses (Calamagrostis foliosa) grace this tile-inlaid concrete planter.  Specific tiles from Fireclay Tile were personally chosen by the homeowners and integrated into the final installation.

French doors open onto a level redwood deck, allowing for ease of transition, even with a handful of food and drinks.

The low redwood deck provides the homeowner's an opportunity to observe and interact with the butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds that frequent their garden.

Seating on multiple levels allows for small parties to break into even smaller, intimate engagements.

A built in corner bench allows for more seating, or extra table space for food and drinks.

Corner bench seating calls attention to the end of the deck and the beginning of the planted areas.

Balance

View from the small patio

Gardenias and Lavenders are planted throughout the garden, providing alluring scents throughout the warmer months.

Mendocino Reed Grasses, Lavenders, and Gardenias surround the small concrete patio.

The same tile from Fireclay Tile that was inlaid into the concrete planter was also used in the concrete patio.

The small concrete patio sits in the corner of the garden, under an Olive tree.  After 3:00pm, it is in full shade, offering a respite to the happy wanderer.

Espaliered fruit trees grace the sides of walls and fences, without being attached to either.  Espaliered Peach trees and Apple trees are on post and heavy gauge wire trellis'.

A pomegranate tree, two apple trees, three peach trees, and a Meyer lemon are among the fruiting trees in this garden.

An espaliered Meyer lemon enjoys the heat of the chimney.  A Kangaroo Paw makes a stately partner with its yellow flowers matching the yellow lemons.


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