My client had a great eye for detail and a collaborative spirit. She wanted a colorful garden that was full of life and energy as well as space for her kids to play and friends to gather. The space transformed from an empty sand pit to a modern cottage garden with a classic concrete patio large enough to shoot hoops or set up a dining table, a retaining wall with an integrated planter, a lawn to remind the family of their Irish roots, and a semi-circle patio that will feature a custom bench.

The garden was designed to rotate seasonal interest all year long. Ranunculus return year after year in our mild SF climate and a New Zealand Tea Tree is smothered with tiny blossoms in the spring. Summer showcases blueberries, multiple hot pink salvia varieties and bougainvillea vines trained over custom arches over the semi-circle back patio. Late summer and Fall usher in echinacea and Japanese anemones. All of this flowering bounty is anchored by evergreen native sword ferns as well as tidy Pittosporum ‘Golf Ball’ and the showy foliage of Cordyline ‘Dancing Can Can’.

The unsightly electrical HVAC and electrical machinery was tucked into the corner and covered by a custom lattice trellis.

A gentle yet generous staircase from the patio to the garden has a beautiful CorTen steel facing that is softened by plantings of succulents, sedums, yarrow, and native sea thrift.

Beautiful container plantings round out the garden and provide structure and interest on the main patio.