A Gallery of 3 Before + Afters

Springtime is a busy time! New gardens to create, consultations to be had and checking in on my gardens to see how they've grown. Here's a few of them to hopefully help serve as ideas for some of you to conserve on water while getting more use out of your outdoor spaces.

SUNNY SANTA CRUZ FRONT COURTYARD  

BEFORE
Bindweed, overgrown garden space and fieldstones.

Conceptual sketch (which was then drawn into CAD and bid and built upon).                              

DURING

AFTER

We reused their existing fieldstones and created raised drystack sonoma fieldstone beds and flagstone paths and seating areas with integrated edbiles CA natives and friends. I was happy to see the seaside daisy, yarrow, cleveland sage and friends growing so well alongside herbs and edibles planted by clients. A true delight to see them enjoying and using this cheerful space.

MODERN SANTA CRUZ XERISCAPE

BEFORE.

In this Eastside Santa Cruz backyard we swapped out miles of lawn (yes, they got a lawn removal rebate from the city) for gold gravel, succulents and edibles (including a fruit tree espalier, raised vegie beds and a few citrus trees).

AFTER

The custom concrete bench creates a great accent and destination in garden and we had fun designing new geometric poured concrete and poured steps to imitate flagstone.the variegated Pittosporum 'Marjorie Channon' planted against fence perimeter will fill in to create a nice 8' tall screen. These photos were taken just after installation completion and I will be posting photos on my web once plants establish and concrete is sealed.

 LIVE OAK SANTA CRUZ WOODLAND FRONT YARD

BEFORE

Across the street from a native open space area, what was previously ivy, lawn and volunteer trees underwent a major transformation. We brought in soil to create a soft raised berm, built a patio at porch for seating space, introduced boulders, CA native and mediterranean plants that blended well for this woodland inspired garden.

AFTER

Easy Australian fuchsia lines the border with variegated mirror plant, Cedros Island verbena and reed grasses. Toyon line the fence and CA flowering currants, ferns and heuchera occupy the planter areas. For specimen plants we have a native dogwood, a forest pansy redbud and a native vine maple. Instead of repouring the driveway- we used cobble stones to continue the line of the driveway flare.

                                                                                                                                             





Happy Gardening! Keep your eyes peeled on my website for a new Before + After page. I will be posting photos of the above designs on my website within the next year once they become more established. And follow me on Facebook for more current news. Cheers!
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