Backyard Makeover on a Budget

New Planting

Here are some pictures of a recent project I completed on a tight budget. Plants and trees look small now, and you'll notice there is quite a bit of space between them. Forgoing the use of annuals to fill in, the clients decided they were happy to use smaller plants and wait until these relatively fast-growers fill in. And fill in they will. In person, the garden looks cheerful, fresh and clean.

 



The plants may look small now, but many like the Lavender and Miscanthus will double or triple in size within the year! Perhaps even by Summer! Starting with small plants saves money and often gives the plants a better start by allowing them to get established in their new home instead of in the container.

I really enjoyed this project because the clients were wonderful to work with, and I was able to use some of my favorite plants including Manzanita, Tagetes, Euphorbia, and Penstemon.

Goals included:
Installing a lawn area for kids.
Surrounding that lawn with perennials and trees to soften a small space defined by large walls.
Improving the sprinkler system, in part by installing separate valves for lawn and planting areas.
Creating a lovely view for the clients while enjoying their covered patio.

Before

Immature After

We chose Geijera, Australian Willows, to help soften the twenty-foot-tall wall of the neighbor's garage, which defined the space. I also asked the clients to paint the wall the same color as their house.
The Willows fit nicely into a modern aesthetic, can be planted near structures, and have soft, weeping foliage. We surrounded them with drought-tolerant plants that give color and will provide lots of foliage.

Before

That stick along the far wall is Cercis Forest Pansy

In the shady area down slope, toward the driveway, we planted thirstier plants around an existing Camellia. The Loropetalum, Heuchera, and Sword Ferns should get extra water from the lawn when we begin watering the planting beds as little as once a week once plants are established.

Before

After

Much of the water from rain and sprinklers is directed down toward the driveway. We placed Mexican River Pebbles in a shallow trench at the edge of the patio to solve the problem of mud flowing down the driveway during hard rains. First rain, so good!

Detail of Shade Planting