Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' Manzanita

Spotlight on:  Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' Manzanita

April 2017, after the winter rains of 2016, the apple green leaves of Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' Manzanita illuminate the garden in the spring.

What it looks like underneath -  In June 2017, the same (above) Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' Manzanita, just two months later, began peeling, showing its rich burgundy colored bark.  The surrounding leaf fall happened simultaneously with the peeling bark, and the Manzanita shed all of its old growth in one orchestrated event.  The amount of water received during the winter no doubt boosted this process.

May 2018, a year after the bark peeled, this (above) Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn' Manzanita is once again healthy and vibrant, and a valuable jewel in the garden.

Baker Family Farmhouse - California Native Garden

When the Baker family moved into their new house they knew they wanted a California native garden that, with minimal water, could survive the drought that California has been facing for years.  Without hesitation, they removed the overgrown Boxwood hedges and a dried out lawn in their front yard.  In September 2013, plans were made to begin this owner-installed garden that is now just over a year and a half  young.  The only remnant of the old garden is a rusted windmill that stands as a sentinel, undisturbed.

Update April 2017:  From front to back - Eriogonum umbellatum polyanthum (Shasta Sulfur Buckwheat, Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina', Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman', Salvia sonomensis 'Bee's Bliss'.

Update April 2017:  Salvia sonomensis 'Bee's Bliss' in the foreground; California Poppies in the background.

Update April 2017:  Eriogonum umbellatum polyanthum (Shasta Sulfur Buckwheat)

Update April 2017:  Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina'

Salvia sonomensis 'Bee's Bliss'

Rusted Windmill

 California Poppies in foreground, with 
Salvia sonomensis 'Bee's Bliss' in background (right)

Eriogonum umbellatum polyanthum 'Shasta Sulfur' Buckwheat

Plantings on undulating berms provide the necessary 
drainage that California Native plants require, 
while space between plants allows for 
air flow and prevents diseases from occurring.

Yellow flowering Eriogonum umbellatum polyanthum 
'Shasta Sulfur' Buckwheat in foreground, 
with purple flowering Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' in background (left)

Shadow of Windmill amongst California Poppies

Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman'

BEFORE - Front Yard with Boxwood hedges and dried out lawn

BEFORE

AFTER

Sweet Harmony - Lily's Garden in San Jose, California

 Lily is a darling customer who we never miss a chance to visit, even just for tea. We've been maintaining and upgrading her garden for the past five years, replacing older, overgrown plants with evergreen plants that are drought tolerant and native to the California environment. With nectar producers and ready pollinators, this garden is a true oasis for local wildlife and is especially beautiful in the Spring months of March and April when all the flowers bloom in unison - a calming symphony of colors.

Iris douglasiana 'Canyon Snow'

Island Alum Root (Heuchera maxima), Shasta Sulfur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum polyanthum), Red Buckwheat (Eriogonum grande rubescens), Salvia 'Dara's Choice', California Fuchsia (Zauschneria/Epilobium)

Yellow flowering Shasta Sulfur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum polyanthum)

In February, Salvia sonomensis 'Dara's Choice' groundcovers are the first to bloom after a winter's rest.

Salvia sonomensis 'Dara's Choice' groundcover blooming in February.

Purple flowering Salvia greggii 'Mesa Azure' in the foreground with hot pink Salvia spathacea (Hummingbird Sage) in the background.

White flowering Carpenteria californica 'Elizabeth' grow alongside purple flowering Salvia greggii 'Mesa Azure'.

Tall flower spikes of Island Alum Root (Heuchera maxima) add height and subtle color.

Moden Minimilism, Low Water, Asian Flair

A great project and beautiful plan melding low water practicality with serene aesthetic balance. This garden was created for a stylish couple looking to capitalize off the previously designed interior with modern Asian highlights. We took the opportunity to tie in many of the colors & textures occurring inside to the hard-scape (pavers) and plant materials outside lending the entire unit an established, serene feeling that definitely sets it apart from its surrounding environment.

More than many small gardens, this space highlights abundant evergreen screening, which helps to visually "seal" the colors, textures and natural rhythms of the landscape to the house-structure itself without too much outside scenery (or the neighbors view) creeping in. All in all, a beautiful front & back garden project with an ideal aesthetic-to-practicality ratio. Low water,modern, evergreen - Bravissimo!

For more info see the Garden on our website:
http://taprootgardens.com/garden_landscape_design_rs_garden.html

Peninsula Building Materials Quartzite pavers used in this project:
http://www.pbm1923.com/natural-stone/idaho-quartzite-charcoal.html