Dear Client,
Let me present you our design of your beautiful Mediterranean style garden.
The idea was to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space, based on client’s guidelines, that takes advantage of natural terrain, vegetation and light, taking inspirations from Mediterranean villas and antique culture.
The most essential aspects of the project are:
- Perfect harmony in proportion of the house building, plants and garden equipment
- Use of natural landform and landscape elements like trees, shrubs, boulders, rocks, views
- Plants – dry resistant and deer resistant shrubs, perennials and annuals – typical for Mediterranean gardens and California natives, suitable for 9b hardiness zone.
- Mediterranean influence – noticeable in plant choice, garden furniture, ground covers, an layout.
To enhance Mediterranean feel we designed two shaded seating areas covered with climbing plants – one on the highest level and one in the lowest level in the garden. We also added furniture referring to Greek and Roman antique, columns, plants in containers, mosaic pavement by the front door.
- Easy communication – from the front garden and back garden. The step at the house front door is removed – the level is graded ( at the same grade as the walkway to the kitchen door) Stairs attached to the house and central stairs connect individual levels of the garden.
- Water – wise garden: use of decomposed granite together with dry resistant plants and groundcover plants instead of big grass lawn surfaces.
All these factors led us to the concept of the Garden of the Four Elements. The garden is situated on four different levels. Each level represents another element: fire, air, water and earth.
FIRE - create the warm atmosphere
This is a top level of the garden with a direct connection to the house front door and the kitchen. We envisioned it as a warm, elegant and lively space full of colors and textures.
Path meandering through the garden is built of natural stone pavers( grey/ warm beige color ) with pea gravel between the stones and under plants. The path goes through the lounge area under hexagonal and creates contrast with its concrete stone surface.
Kitchen door steps are decorated with a mosaic – the area is enlarged to make it more welcoming. The existing stucco wall is removed between the steps and terraces at this level. The stairs are decorated with ornamental pillars and ceramic pots and vases with fruit trees to emphasize Mediterranean style. 5 new fruit trees are planted at these are – 2 one of them is between the existing nectarine and plum (distance - 10’).
To enhance the element of fire we designed plants of fiery colors like red leaf grasses and yellow flowers. The garden plays with formal/informal contrasts — naturalistic planting of perennials and shrubs versus boxwood ball borders.
The patio place under the wooden pergola, supported by antique style columns is a perfect place for barbecue, dining or enjoying the morning coffee with exquisite view. Adjacent lawn is a perfect place for relaxation.
Plants: fruit trees, olive tree, leucadendron, boxwood Artemisia, purple flowers – lavender, agapanthus
WIND – light and airy meadows
The elevated terrace is a perfect spot to enjoy the view of the clouds drifting across the sky and feel the morning breeze while seating on the bench. Central stairs divide the terrace in two planter areas. The plants are arranged in a way to create a natural look of a ‘ wild flower meadow’ in bright colors.
The theme plant of this garden is Anemone Coronaria (Crown Anemone) – the Greek symbol of wind
Anemone, also called wind flower is connected to the love story between
Adonis and Aphrodite.
The God of Aries was jealous of her relationship with the mortal and
when the two were hunting. Ares disguised himself as a boar and struck
the mortal with his tusks. Aphrodite rushed to rescue her lover but
she was too late. In desperation she sprinkled nectar of the gods on
his wounds but his soul already descended to the underworld. As she
carried his body out of the woods the drops of his blood mixed with
nectar fell onto the earth and there the flowers grew.
It is said that the same wind which blows the blossoms open will soon
afterwards blow the petals away. Wind and Aphrodite brought love to
the flower/Adonis and both brought its end.
Anemones are accompanied by rosemary, lavender and boxwood balls. A few Japanese Hollies create a natural vertical accent in the garden.
WATER – tranquility and contemplation
Waterfall that ends at this level allows to feel calming, refreshing and cleansing power of water. The water cascade is built of flat limestone boulders and it flows down to end in a shallow pool - gravel bed - that filters water in a closed loop system. The antique statue replica situated in the pool creates a magical atmosphere, enhanced by garden lights, surrounding trees, natural stones and bearded iris and sedge planted in a stone flower bed.
The theme plant of this garden is Myrtle
Myrtle was Sacred to Aphrodite, Demeter and Venus. As described by
Ovid when Venus emerged from the sea on half shelf she was holding a
sprig of Myrtle.
The wonderfully scented plant was considered an aphrodisiac, known to appear in wedding crowns for either the bride or the groom. In the Greco-Roman world, myrtle in laurels or crowns were sometimes presented to poets and woven into garlands of honor for athletic
prizes, and was also worn to sacrifices and banquets. As opposed to laurel wreaths, myrtle signified victory from a bloodless battle.
On the western side of this level there is a place for outdoor spa.
Fire pit in the centre of the terrace adds warmth and romantic atmosphere.
Other plants recommended for this garden are :sage, angelica (referring to Greek wild selery – another symbol of water) and santolina.
The wall below the terrace is rebuilt straight but curved in the middle – to attain enough place for sitting around a fire pit.
EARTH – connecting with Mother Nature
The earth garden is a buffer zone providing transition between the garden and its surrounding vegetation and fauna.
The planting recommended at this level should fit smoothly into the landscape and become its integral part. The ground is covered with easy to maintain plants ( for example – Pigeon Point - Baccharis pilularis pilularis)
Theme plant of the garden is Acanthus (bear’s breeches) – a majestic plant, native throughout the Mediterranean region, which leaf’s motif is typical for Greek and Roman’s ornamental art and architecture. It’s named after a beautiful Greek nymph Acanthia.
Acanthus is an ’architectural’ plant of classic but exotic appearance, which can grow like a living sculpture in the garden. It’s a low maintenance plant, that tolerates dry soils and so it will be perfect for the lowest part of your garden. In the south eastern corner of the garden, right next to the water pond, we designed a relaxation area with a bench, 3 columns with a lintel. The spot is surrounded by acanthus plants accompanied by plants like sedge, ferns, boxwood and existing trees. Cozy atmosphere is created with soft colors of surfaces harmonizing with deeply green plants. The garden provide an excellent view of the glen.
MATERIALS:
TERRACE WALLS: existing boulders, rocks + prefabricated cap
STEPS: concrete blocks covered with concrete patio stone – color and texture harmonizing with natural rocks in the garden.
FIREPIT: stacked stone/ concrete with prefabricated cap
GROUND:
I. Top level – 1. Garden path - natural stone – Gneiss
2. under pergola – concrete patio stone in grey color
3. under plants – pea gravel Size 3/8” Multi-brown color / tan
II. Narrow terrace just below top level.
pea gravel Size 3/8” Multi-brown color / tan
III. Middle level.
pea gravel Size 3/8” Multi-brown color / tan
irregular stone slabs
IV. lower level.
irregular garden stone pavers, groundcover plants
LIGHTING:
Atmospheric lighting – bollards
Pergola – spotlights under columns + ceiling spot lighting
Water feature lighting
Lights illuminating garden wall on the border with neighbours
THANK YOU !
2° premio
