Lawn Removal in Glendale California Cottage Garden

I can't wait to watch this garden grow in. My design plan transformed it from a virtually unused space into a place where the kids can play on stumps and stones, and their parents can sit in the DG patio and have a glass of wine, say hello to neighbors, or just unwind among the sweet fragrance of Roses and Salvias .

BEFORE (Google Maps)

AFTER 
(Newly Planted)

AFTER
(Four Months after Planting)

The clients wanted a lush Mediterranean garden with Lavenders, Nepeta, Iceberg Roses, and a DG sitting area and creek bed. Layers of taller and shorter plants along the street will create some screening without shutting out the neighborhood. I convinced them to replace the original pathway which was very narrow. Photos show the yard newly planted with relatively small plants, and the same plantings four months later in early Spring. If you plant in Fall/Winter, you can see a lot of growth in Spring, especially from your perennials.

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER
(Four Months After Planting)

We used a simple sheet mulching method to encourage soil microbes and improve soil health. The roses may take a little extra water to get established, but they will be a little more drought-tolerant growing in such healthy soil. The landscape crew trimmed existing trees before planting, and that is why the house is more exposed in the after photos. Trees will fill in quickly, in time to give shade in Summer.

AFTER DETAIL

AFTER 
Wider Path to Front Door, Newly Planted

AFTER 
(Plants Filling In)

AFTER DETAIL 
(Four months after planting)

Lawn Replacement Design Consultation

BEFORE

AFTER: Lawn Replacement Complete

For this project, the clients did all the work themselves. This was an unusual and fun way for me to provide Design Services. They called me in for a consultation as they were prepping for planting so I could guide them. When I arrived, they'd started placing plants in groups, and I had them change some of the groupings and suggested they buy a few more of the native Heuchera and Iris so they could mass them more effectively.

They were planning to use a high-quality plastic bender board product as a transition from the decomposed granite pathways and the mulched planting areas. Normally bender board is a reasonably good choice, but in this case, there were tree roots everywhere and it was going to be quite a challenge to dig channels for the bender board to lay at the correct level. This is also a shady front yard with a natural forest vibe, and the bender board was not going to add anything aesthetically.

BEFORE: Bender Board Instead of River Rock

Here is a photo of the Bender Board they were originally planning to use.

I suggested using River Rock instead of Bender Board, which can be placed closer to the soil surface, no significant channel necessary. I also recommended adding some large boulders. We talked about the placement of all the elements.

AFTER: Natural River Rock Borders

This was a great example of the value of a Design Consultation. The homeowners in this case were perfectly capable of doing the labor, and they had a good start on a plan, but I know they would agree that getting my advice allowed them to bring the project to completion with wonderful results. Call me to discuss the services I offer.

The clients sent me photos the moment they completed the project. They are so happy with the choices we made together, and they have already received so many compliments.

From Front Lawn to Low-Maintenance Front Yard

On this project, I designed a new pathway to improve the flow from the driveway and sidewalk to the front door of the home. We opened up access to the beautiful front archway for a more direct path to the front door. We planted some wonderful drought-tolerant plants, and helped the homeowner get her lawn-removal rebate.

BEFORE: Front Lawn with no path to front door

AFTER: Pathway to Door and New Plantings

Access to the front door through the previously hidden archway makes the property more inviting, brings out the Spanish architecture, and improves access from the sidewalk and driveway. The plant material will fill in over the next 2 to 3 years, giving a lot of privacy from the sidewalk and street.

AFTER: CA Native, Carex Pansa in center of DG circle

We wanted to mix some tough tropicals with ornamental grasses and succulents. It's a fun combination that wouldn't work many places outside of SoCal! As the plants grow in, the homeowner will have a beautiful, yet private view from her front windows, and a nice buffer from the street.