The landscaping project is finished. After almost two months of demolition, deep pruning, grading, construction, and planting, our landscaping project has come to an end. The last loose ends have been tied up, so the only thing remaining is a walkthrough to kick off the warranty period.
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| The heuchera and grasses are starting to take hold |
The property is a triangular shape and on a gentle slope. Its main feature is a large oak that spreads its long branches and casts dappled shade throughout the day. The garden design features several zones including a woodland meadow, a succulent rock garden, a sunny meadow, and the lush lower yard with its vegetation screen. The plants are either local native or Mediterranean, and all are drought tolerant. The landscape is designed as a wildlife garden with keystone plants for food and shelter.
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| The succulent rock garden is like a mini-desert scape |
The old concrete paths have been reset, a new slab path has replaced the old concrete entry path, and wood bark paths have been added throughout the yard. Several railroad-tie steps help you navigate grade changes.
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| Juniper tree in the lower yard is now exposed |
Several legacy trees were removed, including two mature magnolias, a "big-bonsai-ed" juniper, and several self-seeded trees. This makes the property seem very exposed and a little bare now, but it exposed the beauty of the oak and the juniper tree in the lower yard. It also paved the way for replacing them with native trees and shrubs. We chose to use shrubs instead of fencing. We already have some shrub barriers, but more have been planted. It will take some time to get there.
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| Path to the lower yard |
The broken irrigation system has been replaced by a drip system. Even drought tolerant plants need water to get established. The rain is helping them get a good start, and we will water in the heat of summer, but once established most of the plants will only need a periodic summer drink.
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| Utilitarian (but beautiful) gate in the lower yard |
We added a gate in the lower yard and planted shrubs to replace the old dilapidated fence (on which lichen and moss once grew in beautiful abundance). Once the shrubs are established, this will look a little more protected and provide a shady spot for birds to enjoy their berries and seeds. In the upper yard, the low lights on the entry path guide visitors to the front door. The lights are on a timer, and are not as bright as the original pole light. This should reduce light pollution, while retaining safety.
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| Pathway lights in the rain |
This was a large project for us, but very satisfying. We worked with an excellent landscaping team, which listened to our ideas and then improved upon them. The work crew was also excellent, experienced, and very conscientious. Now, we just need time for nature to do its work. Soon the plants will fill in and gain their full size, and the full vision of a native, wildlife-friendly landscape will be realized.
