Wild Natives

We transformed an empty space in the backyard of a beautifully remodeled home into a vibrant playground for the owner’s children. Reusing redwood tree stumps, we created an exciting area for jumping and running. We designed a sensory meadow filled with soft, aromatic plants and incorporated a faux sandy creek bed for filling dump trucks, building sandcastles, and providing endless hours of fun.

This garden is perched atop a windswept hill in San Carlos, where the soil primarily consists of rock and clay. Herds of resident deer continually test our understanding of ‘deer-proof’ plants. While the owners favor native plants, they also acknowledge the need to accommodate the deer by incorporating a variety of herbaceous plants with strong aromas. The property is also home to several majestic old-growth Live Oak trees.

We have managed this remarkable property for over 10 years, making it one of our most cherished gardens. Known as the beloved ‘Mayor’s Mansion,’ it holds rich lore and historical significance. Throughout our stewardship, we have focused on preserving the property's historic character while implementing innovative new plantings that reduce water usage, attract wildlife, and showcase the stunning city views. The owners have lovingly transformed this home into a bespoke, high-end gathering space for their friends and family.

This bachelor pad underwent a significant interior redesign and remodel, and we were brought in to transform the vacant patio space into a vibrant garden that showcases the stunning San Francisco views. We developed a lively color palette and framed the skyline with lush greenery. The garden now attracts bees and hummingbirds seeking refuge in the concrete jungle. We incorporated fruit trees to provide fresh produce for the client, along with a tropical-themed plant wall beside the hot tub for a touch of paradise. 

This native garden is a source of great pride for the homeowner, who collaborated on the original design and even installed the slate slab table in the backyard himself. Despite being battered by wind and salt spray, this garden thrives in sandy soil that retains very little water or nutrients. The native plants we selected, including Wild Lilac, California Poppy, and Buckwheat, are well adapted to this challenging environment. We also planted Dune Tansy, a species that once covered the dunes of this neighborhood before any houses were built.

We transformed this weedy front yard lawn into a lush, layered grassland garden. Foundation shrubs, such as large Karl Foerster grasses and Bush Anemones, were planted against the house. To add vibrant color near the sidewalk, we incorporated a palette primarily featuring blue and red hues, including Cardinal Flower, Sand Hill Sage, and Blue Flax, to beautifully complement the colors of the home.