Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Landscape Plans // Part I

Landscaping plans for the house are finally coming together and today, I thought I'd share a bit about the direction we're taking with our planting scheme.


I previously posted about the decorative wood screen we recently installed out in front of our house. This was the final obstacle standing between us and a fully landscaped yard. Now that it's in, planting can finally commence! We've spent the better part of two years planning out the types of plants we'd want to use, taking notes and pictures while driving neighborhoods, staying at hotels and dining at restaurants where we noticed designs we'd want to incorporate (do you do this too?). We decided long ago that we'd want to use a modern mix of Desert and Mediterranean varities and set out to design a plan that incorporated many of our favorites.

We'll anchor the front garden bed with some edgier desert favorites- natives of Mexico and The Canary Islands. Also used will be a variety of Ocotillo, a tall, thorny plant spotted and loved during one of our earliest trips to Palm Springs.  We're planning to place that just in front of the wood screen to draw visual interest upward toward our address plaque. Another variety you don't see here, but probably know more commonly is the giant Blue Agave (Agave Americana) that we plan to spotlight as well.
Then, we'll fill in around these plants with others seen more typically in Mediterranean styled gardens- free flowing golden grasses, the silver foliage of lavender and blue hues of fescue and flax lilies. We'll also draw on the deep pinks of a succulent called Echeveria 'Afterglow', a trend continued into the back garden as well.

Our plan above is still a little fluid at the moment and may ultimately be impacted by budget (isn't everything?). It also looks like a lot of plants - and it is. But the bed itself is almost 40 feet long in it's entirety, which will give us lots of room to work in. When all is said and done, it will be finished off with some spotlighting and some decomposed granite- a finish that will look polished from the street and will be easily raked during Fall when the Maple trees lining our block discard their leaves.

I'll share more about backyard garden plans in Part II. 
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10 comments

Kristen said...

Ok so fun! Love the whole vibe you are going with. I can totally visualize how it will all come together. I have been OBSESSING over my garden. I'm going with lots and lots of fluffy flowers, fruit trees, and some potted succulents. I find myself staring at plants EVERYWHERE I go now! On walks, at restaurants, you name it.

house of earnest said...

wow! Looks like we both have a lot of yard work in our futures :) I love how low-maintenance your plants are and will definitely be looking for something similar!!

Trissta said...

Oooh! Now this is my area of expertise! The plan looks good, I think it's a great start! I know soooo many people who have asked me to "do" their yards, especially when they find out I have a degree in Landscape Architecture... It's nice to see what can happen when someone is motivated to DESIGN their own yard, rather than just expect things to fall into place. It takes a lot of work and effort (I'm personally working on a vegetable garden rehab at my Uncle's ranch), but it all pays off in the end!

Much Love,
Trissta

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

I love landscape projects. It looks like you had this professionally done. Great idea. I am trying to figure out where you live? Obviously in really warm weather. Are you including a spreading ground cover? This is going to be fun to watch...yes, I'm weird.

Anonymous said...

I am loving the direction of your landscaping! It's kind of making me wish I could use plants like this, but Michigan would definitely not allow it :)That's really a great idea about snapping photos of landscape designs you like...I may have to begin doing this.

Erin | Holtwood Hipster said...

Hi Linda! Actually worked on this myself. I find it easier to see a visual layout before running out and buying all the plants. Never fails- I will overbuy. We're in Southern California- just inland from the coast and right in a valley where these water-wise plants will work well once summertime temps heat up. Thanks for following along!

Erin | Holtwood Hipster said...

Girl- go to Rogers! I haven't been this month, but I'm pretty sure they'll have walls of jasmine and some other amazing stuff for your shabby chic garden inspiration. Take pics and then hunt it down at smaller nurseries. You can even order direct from the catalog at Home Depot- hot tip!

Erin | Holtwood Hipster said...

Weekend garden work = ice + heating pads on Sunday night. Yes, truly a labor of love!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemkaing said...

Oh your landscaping is going to be gorgeous!

celine [starbies and sangrias] said...

Dude, you had amazing photoshop skills. Love these plants. So earthy, yet modern and sculptural. xoxo

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