Wong Residence in Mountain View, California

This modern, dynamic project in Mountain View, California was designed by Taproot Garden Design & Fine Gardening and skillfully installed by the team at Best Construction in the early Spring months of 2016. 

The homeowners needed a modern upgrade on their outdoor garden spaces to allow for social functions in a clean and comfortable environment.  This fully realized Master Plan is also a great example of material and texture combinations, including wood, cut-stone and concrete, all working together to create pitch-perfect atmosphere. Low water, low-maintenance and drought tolerant plantings add an organic softness to the abundance of modern lines.

The removal of dried out lawns from both the front and back yards gave way to new Connecticut Bluestone patio and pathways, concrete planter beds, dramatic Ipe-wood fencing, large raised planter boxes, and benches, metal and wire trellises, edible plantings for the family, and perennials perfectly suited for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

See the detailed Master Plan and site pictures below.

One translation of the name "Wong" in Cantonese is the color Yellow and corresponds to the element of Earth, is considered the most beautiful and prestigious color. The Chinese saying, Yellow Generates Yin and Yang, implies that yellow is the center of everything. Yellow signifies neutrality and good luck. 
- wikipedia.com

 April 25, 2018 - Bright perennials and fruit trees replaced hedges of unproductive square shrubs, changing the environment to a rich ecosystem for pollinators and small wildlife.

 

April 25, 2018 - New matching Ipe wood raised planter boxes were built on either side of the front door, giving the homeowners space to grow more berries, vegetables, perennials, and succulents.  A sleek new walkway now exists between the driveway and the front door, giving the family a shortcut when time is of the essence.

April 25, 2018 - Lemon, lime, and orange trees in the front yard are surrounded with bee-loving perennials. Pollinators allow for impressive fruit production in this healthy garden.

Salvia 'May Night' and Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) in their second year in the garden.

April 25, 2018 - Monrovia's Salvia 'Black & Bloom', Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage), Achillea 'Moonshine' (Yarrow), Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower vine on trellis), and Iochroma cyanea.

Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina'

Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower vine) grows up a new metal and wire picture-frame trellis, custom built by Best Construction.

Young honeysuckle vines grow up a new metal framework trellis.

Instead of a fence, the homeowners opted for a custom metal framework trellis with honeysuckle vines which, in time, will create an area of sweet scents to mask any odors from the trash and recycling bins.

Beautiful Ipe wood fencing surrounds the deck and offers privacy from neighbors. 

A string of lights is hung above the deck for evening relaxation outdoors.

A young Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' (English Lavender) grows next to a bench.  It's bouquet of aromatic flowers is a treat in the summer heat for those sitting next to it.

Iochroma cyanea is an evergreen perennial shrub with trumpet-shaped summer flowers that attracts birds, bees, and other pollinators.

Iochroma cyanea blooms profusely from June through August and then intermittently throughout the year.

Iochroma cyanea's tubular flowers are best viewed up close.  These are placed in concrete planter boxes on the deck, to be appreciated by humans and hummingbirds alike.

Low water and low maintenance garden

New Ipe wood fencing, raised planter boxes, and benches set the tone for this beautiful, modern back yard.

The warm brown Ipe wood contrasts with the gray components of the house and garden structures.  Where once a dried out lawn existed, a new Connecticut Bluestone patio is now in its place.

Ipe wood fencing adds a rich, warm hue and dramatic texture to the background.

Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower vine)

Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower vine) grows up a new metal and wire trellis, custom built by Best Construction.

Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower vine) is a host plant to the orange Gulf Fritillary butterfly and caterpillars.

Going vertical in a narrow space with planter boxes saves room, especially useful during small parties and barbecues.

An abundance of herbs and peppers grow in an Ipe wood raised planter box next to the barbecue. 

The air conditioning unit is hidden by beautiful Ipe wood fencing.

The kids' playhouse sits around the corner from the main dining and entertaining areas.  Right next to their playhouse their favorite fruit (strawberries!) grows in an Ipe wood raised planter box.  This picture highlights the playful combination of materials, shapes and textures in the landscape.

Strawberries

Fragrant Lemon Verbena and strawberries grow next to the children's play area.

Entering/exiting from the gate, the brown Ipe wood and gray concrete colors are seen on all sides, balancing the gardens warm tones with cool tones.

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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