Re[2]: Garden Design
At 07:21 PM 12/5/00 -0800, Nan Sterman wrote:
>>I had clients who were Eastern Indian. In their lifestyle, pure red and
>>pure yellow evoked clearly important religious concepts which they wanted
>>to incorporate into their landscape. These were not colors I was fond of
>>using solely in a landscape, but the context of the client provided what
>>I thought was an exciting opportunity. These people were also fond of
>>some interesting, sub-tropical plants, reminding them of their
>>home. Immediately, all sorts of fresh ideas sprung to mind and created a
>>very unique landscape with lots of East Indian influences, yet still
>>honoring mediterranean climate (not unlike the Islamic paradise garden
>>idea). I found it quite interesting and I still draw upon insights
>>generated from that project. Such a simple client request, but with such
>>impact.
>
>Fascinating!
>
>Sean, can you tell us more about this garden and its design? What plant
>materials did you use and how did you place them to achieve the desired effect?
Sure Nan -
The lot was new, just a lot of bare earth, the back end of which sloped up
to the next property (sort or normal for new developments in the hills
around the SF Bay Area). A 'big empty', but without the need to consider
what was there and whether or not to remove it.
The house was situated roughly in the middle of a deep lot, aligned with
the straight edge of the property on one side, the other property edge
narrowing from front to back, pinching in one side of the back lot. The
front landscape was already done to the specifications of the development
(BORING!). The main living room of the house faced the rear garden through
a large picture window.
I spec'ed access to various points of the rear garden via a straight-shot
path from the back door off the kitchen/family room, across the main flat
area to the sloping back of the property where it climbed the slope
(providing access to a view area). Because of the lack of trees, strong
sunny exposure and hot summer climate, I planned a pergola along the path's
entire length. This created a visual barrier, dividing the large space
into two parts - a very strong, deep rectangle to the north, outside the
living room window, and an oddly shaped section to the south, where the
property boundary was not straight. This latter area was to become an
informal orchard, veggie & cutting gardens, fitted into the trapazoidal
space. Its proximity to the kitchen and more southern exposure was perfect
for this use. The northern half was a natural for a more formal display
garden, viewable from the living room picture window.
Because of the deep rectangular shape of this formal area, an Islamic axial
arrangement was easy to define. A central path dividing the space in each
direction created quadrated beds. To help create more drama, the front
beds were large than the back, creating more 'perspective' when viewed from
the house. A simple rill (a narrow, straight water channel), or rill-like
suggestion in the paving material was planned to run down the center of
each of these paths. A very simple imbedded jet at the central
intersection of these rills could be another important accent. Around the
four main beds were simple utility paths, half as wide as the main. Beyond
these, in the perimeter beds, were planned to be larger plants such as
citrus, roses such as the clear yellow form of Rosa foetida, jasmines, and
various flowering or fruiting shrubs. A few well chosen small trees at the
rear and ascending the slope would provide a background. Possibilities
included red and yellow flowered Pomegranates (Punica), Arbutus unedo,
Laurus nobilis, an old fashioned small-flowered red hibiscus, fragrant
Osmanthus, a white Vitex, Cestrum nocturnum & C. elegans, Choisya ternata
'Sundance', to name a few.
In the 4 central beds would be various low growing and transient plantings,
informal in their planting, but formal in feeling through careful choice of
color (only pure red, yellow, and white flowers) and with predominately
rich green foliage. These would include Cannas, the green euryops,
Helianthemum, Halimium, Coronilla, Kniphofia (only clear yellows),
Oenothera speciosa (white form), Aptenia 'Sunny Sue', Asteriscus maritimus,
white flowered Rosemary, Phlomis, Nicotiana sylvestris, golden-leaf
feverfew, white flowered lavender, yellow lantana, green Santolina, Cistus,
Bulbine, etc. Pots containing the owner's collection of unusual tropical
Jasmines would be situated at various symmetrical points throughout.
Plantings on the northern side (on the perimeter) would be taller and
create screening of the adjacent property, on the southern side (adjacent
to the pergola) would be lower and more open, allowing this garden to be
viewed all along the pergola walkway. The pergola itself would be a simple
structure, clothed densely in mixed flowering and fruiting vines: roses
chosen for clean habit and repeat flowering, winter honeysuckle (L.
fragrantissima), Clematis armandii, Solanum jasminoides, red Passifloras,
Polygonum aubertii, and one of the cleaner vining Jasmines (many get too
'shrubby' and full of dead flowers). The walkway under the pergola was
planned to contain tiled accents in the paving, to carry the color and
garden theme further, especially there the axial path from the formal
garden intersected it. On the south side of the pergola, a low walk-on
groundcover provided access to the orchard, veggie & cutting gardens
along the entire length of the walk.
You can see that emphasis is also on fragrance, both of interest to the
owner and in character with the Islamic 'paradise garden' concept.
The strict color palate might seem a bit narrow-minded, but for busy people
who don't always have time for meticulous maintenance, everything seems
more well-planned and intentional, even if things aren't in as good shape
as they might be. Its sort of like decorating a room - you choose drapes
and accents to match the fabric of the couch and chairs - it works just as
well in the garden!
I hope I have elaborated enough about how these elements came into being -
for me, it just sort of comes into my head fully formed when I structure
the development of ideas properly. It all just make sense - sometimes I
don't even understand why it does until someone points it out to me!?!
;-)
This garden does not yet exist, and may not for a number of years, as the
owners find the time and money to construct the various parts. But they
have a general plan now so that when there is an opportunity, they can
build with confidence toward the final plan.
Regards,
Sean O.
h o r t u l u s a p t u s - 'a garden suited to its purpose'
Sean A. O'Hara fax (707) 667-1173 sean.ohara@groupmail.com
710 Jean Street, Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
