World-Inspired Garden with a Pathway Ideas and Designs
Magic Garden DreamsBalinese style water garden including a pond less waterfall and 18’ stream, crossed by a custom made wooden bridge and stone mosaic pathway. 12’ x 16’ Pergola custom built to enjoy the sound of the running water.
Stone GardenA muddy side yard was transformed by using river rocks to create a pathway outlined in stone. An Asian arbor was added to welcome guests into the backyard.
Sweet Smiling LandscapesWhen I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.”
This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat.
The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings.
Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up.
The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation.
When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space.
Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.
Florida Landscape Living LLCA well needed facelift to this home to give new life to the neighborhood
Family Tree & GardenA wandering meditation garden circling around a giant buddha, purchased by the homeowner
株式会社 木村グリーンガーデナー湧水から流れる小川と通路の側に
瓦で作ったこだわりの足元灯が辺りを照らします。
瓦の間から漏れる光が
小川のせせらぎを照らし、美しい風景を見せてくれます。
昼間も違和感なくデザインされており
癒しの空間作りに一役買っています。
Alderwood Landscape Architecture and ConstructionThese clients' small yard had severe drainage issues, making it difficult for their large family to spend time outdoors. After discussing it with Alderwood architects, the family decided synthetic lawn was the best, low maintenance grass-alternative option. The outdoor structure is large enough for year-round entertainment but small enough to provide sky-high access for the rest of the yard.
BlueGreen Landscape DesignDel Valle is about defining and connecting multiple spaces with a central focal space. An open-air Atrium is the visual center point extending the amount of light traveling to each room and providing a serene place for gathering and contemplation. The interior living spaces are connected through the Atrium creating a feeling of transparency throughout the residence. The outdoor spaces are extensions of the minimalistic design of the interior rooms with additional layering of textures to delineate different moments. The various sizes and colors of pebbles mark the Atrium and create moments of contrasting elements and serve as a jewel in the center of the home.
LunnScapeFront yard of a modern home in Weston lakes featuring Pom-pom Junipers, agave, Japanese Blueberry Tree, Mondo Grass, Mexican Beach Pebble, Pringles, Snake Plant, Topiary, Bromeliad Mother-in-Law Tounge .
Sweet Smiling LandscapesIn this project the home owner was a furniture importer, so she had an amazing array of decorative elements to add to the design. After spending years traveling through Indonesia and India on buying trips, she wanted a taste of the tropics in her own back yard. We worked together to incorporate her beautiful objects into an undeniably tropical-feeling space. By carefully selecting plants and their placement, we were able to achieve the lush green feel of Bali or Hawaii in the Southern California climate without using a lot of water. After installation, this oasis is alive with birds and dragonflies. Lush green plantings create microclimates around the house that help cool the property on hot days. Integrating edible trees provides the homeowner with pomegranates, several types of guavas, lemons, limes, and bananas. Today, the homeowner rents out her home and garden for photo shoots and weddings.
Ginkgo Leaf StudioThe new concrete front walk becomes more interesting with the addition of beach pebble runnels dividing the walk into sections.
Renn Kuhnen Photography
Colorado Land Art Studio, Inc.Spring blooms of crabapples and creeping phlox begin the flowering season in this zen garden.
World-Inspired Garden with a Pathway Ideas and Designs
1