We were thrilled to receive a call from Vicke Selk, she was interested in our design style, plus she wanted a California native garden. After meeting with Vicke and her husband, John, we prepared sketches and plans for their new garden. Vicke requested a pathway system she could use for wandering around her garden to find a place to read a book. John wanted an outdoor kitchen. They also wanted to beef up their entrance. There were several old specimen trees and shrubs, some California native volunteers, plus a large clump of running bamboo (which was starting to spread to other parts of their garden). The goal was to organize a pathway system that would feature these existing plant materials and tame the wandering bamboo. First we had to clean up what was there by selecting the best specimens then pruning them to create living sculptures (focal points along the paths). Once the whole area was cleaned, the lay of the land was clear. We could develop many different routes through the garden plus, we would not need to purchase any path border material---there must have been close to 10 tons of native rocks---virgin soil and one large pile covered by vegetation.... we used these beautiful granite rocks to delineate the paths, line a pond, create pedestals and steps (photo above) plus some as sculpture. We spent close to 4 months in their garden, creating a space that made two lovely people very happy (us too!)

The Front Garden: The architecture of the house resembles a mountain retreat---a micro climate on a street of tract homes. Our approach to the structure of the garden was laid back refined mountain lodge. We built three capped pedestals connected by a dry stack wall (made of native stone). Atop the pedestals we choose a plaster bowl to fill with a California native sage. We also created a parking court to organize a guests approach, and created an entry court leading to new steps to the front door. This, to give their guests a taste of their relaxed style. We also created a path way system and a few nooks for Vicke to sit and read. Hidden from view is a water-pot bubbler to provide some relaxing sound, and encouragement to take a path to find where it is. The front garden did not need many new plants, we just cleaned and sculpted what they had; although we did add a few additional specimens for interest. Today, the Selks have a garden to match their charming house and style.

The Back Garden: Our first priority here was to contain the running bamboo. We achieved this by pouring an 18 inch concrete root barrier (that we cover with native granite and simply making it part of the path border---an undetectable barrier!). (We essentially created a planter for the bamboo keeping it from spreading into the new garden.) (Not all bamboo is invasive, there are many clumping varieties, but all must be used properly.) Two other major features is a fantastic pond with a pier bridge and we designed and built a deck and arbor to connect two existing decks. This addition basically triples their usable space by creating one large space which is now a covered area for John's outdoor kitchen. We really enjoyed creating a space just for relaxing.

The Planting Design: We were so fortunate to have John and Vicke's understanding about proper planting. Although they requested a beautiful garden, they did not want to spend their time always working in it. The easiest way to achieve this is proper plant selection with spacing. Many people want their garden to look like it's always been there.... but by doing this, one may have something nice upon installation, but by the third year it WILL become a jungle. How many times have I heard "it was a little thing when we put it in!" (Remember: the first year it sleeps, the second it creeps and the third it leaps!!) We selected virtually all California native plants... the garden may look sparse right now, but believe me, this garden will develop beautifully and with purpose. This garden is featured in this years California Native Plant Society Tour of Gardens.