Showing posts with label drought tolerant garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drought tolerant garden. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

 

Winters Residence -  Almaden Valley, San Jose, California

With views of the Almaden Foothills and the occasional rolling cloud cover, this garden is a beauty to relax in. Composed of mostly California Native & Mediterranean plants, it was designed to live through our drought conditions and warm weather.  Purple, orange, and white were the main color combination amongst the greens, giving the entire garden a sense of continuity from the front yard to the back.

Houzz:  https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/winters-residence-pj-vj~4201341

 

 



 
 
 








Tuesday, June 16, 2020


BEFORE AND AFTER in Sunnyvale, California -

This amazing garden transformation took four years to establish.  The front entryway to this house was re-envisioned with sun-loving, drought tolerant evergreen perennials, shrubs, and trees.

The homeowner's idea to repaint the house colors made the entire space more appealing when viewed from the sidewalk or street.


The above photo, taken in Spring 2020, 
shows the garden four years after the 
installation of Teucrium chamaedrys 
(WallGermander), ornamental grasses, 
and a small Olive tree.



 The above photo, taken in 2016,  
shows a background of tired yellow 
Japanese Forest Grass that didn't feel lush 
or inviting to walk by.  In the foreground, 
one gallon Teucrium chamaedrys 
(Wall Germander) were just beginning to be 
introduced through the garden spaces.


Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Ceanothus 'Valley Violet'

A reliable, hardy, low growing, sun tolerant, low water needs Ceanothus that blooms from early March through April.  Bees cover the flowers throughout the day. 

See more of this garden by clicking on the links below.

Houzz:  https://www.houzz.com/projects/1824679/mountain-view-california-wong-residence

 Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/pg/TaprootGardens/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10156061227915549


2019 March 14 - Ceanothus 'Valley Violet'

2019 March 14 - Ceanothus 'Valley Violet'


Thursday, September 27, 2018

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.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Laurence Residence - South San Jose, California

Set among the foothills of South San Jose, California, is a garden worthy of the views of the Golden California hills.  The golden colors in the hills are reflected in the meandering tan decomposed granite pathways, mimicking a hiking path, or entrance to the foothills.  Elements in this garden include long, sweeping pathways for walking and bike riding, plenty of boulders to climb on, grass for picnics, and a hammock for those lazy days of summer.  The raised vegetable garden beds produce an abundance of vegetables, while fruit trees line the perimeter of the property.  The drought tolerant California native plants will take a few years to fill in the spaces, but will eventually create a haven for local pollinators and a private, park-like setting for the family.
Long, winding decomposed granite paths are bordered with Sonoma Fieldstone Boulders and drought tolerant California native plants.
Bird's Eye View of the garden


In only its first few months, this thriving raised vegetable garden is producing a great amount of organic vegetables for the family.
A hammock set between two Mulberry shade trees provides an escape for the happy wanderer.
California native plants grow in a natural setting between Sonoma Fieldstone Boulders. In this photo, Achillea millefolium californica, Arctostaphylos 'Dr. Hurd' Manzanita, and Myrica californica are settling in to their new environment.

A young Arctostaphylos 'Dr. Hurd' Manzanita grows by the fence and will provide a green backdrop for the white Achillea millefolium californica.
Achillea millefolium 'Terra Cotta' next to a Sonoma Fieldstone Boulder.

Meandering decomposed granite pathways match the surrounding hillsides and pull the natural golden color forward. The drought tolerant California native plants will take a few years to fill in the spaces, but will eventually create a haven for local pollinators and a private, park-like setting for the family.
A relaxed environment.
California native Achillea millefolium californica gives the garden a meadow look.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Shank Residence Back Yard - Almaden, San Jose, CA



Note: Click Photos to see high-detail large format images.
Review our labels and tags to see identified plants & materials.

Copious use of California native plants, permeable surfaces, soothing Mediterranean colors & textures, wide open pathways for speeding children and their trikes, all set off by beautiful cut stone patio surfaces resonating the fantastic hues of the natural California landscape.

Below, we will take you on a virtual photo-tour of the recent backyard installation. First pics are most recent, with the original untouched landscape  at the end just to highlight the transformation. This is now a vibrant, cool-looking living space that gets tons of daily usage, perfectly suited to a growing all-organic, conscientious, California-friendly family.

When done viewing this page, please be sure to visit the High-IQ Front Yard to see more dynamic, drought resistant, all organic landscape planning.


This garden in Almaden, San Jose, CA was installed in the early spring months of 2015 and is full of California Native plants.  The bare bones of the garden shows balance between decomposed granite pathways, Connecticut Bluestone pavers, and plants.  Circulation and ease of movement through the garden is important to the family (especially for their kids on tricycles).  Come spring, the California native ground covers, perennials, shrubs, and trees will quickly fill in the open spaces and soften the landscape.


April 2016:  One gallon plants, almost a year later.  Salvia sonomensis 'Bee's Bliss' groundcovers grow at an amazing rate.
February 2016:  Salvia sonomensis groundcovers line both the decomposed granite pathway and the Connecticut Bluestone Full Range paver pathway.

February 2016:   After less than a year (and plenty of rain!), the Salvia sonomensis groundcovers are quickly growing over the wall and filling in the mulched areas.
February 2016: Nine months later...Salvia sonomensis groundcovers and Calamagrostis foliosa (Mendocino Reed grasses) doubled in size.
May 2015
May 2015:  Connecticut Bluestone Full Range pavers from Peninsula Building Materials were used for this patio.
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