CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES & A WORLD WITHOUT TURF
310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
California Water Crisis
The water shortage in California is having a direct impact on all of its inhabitants’ lives. Southern California in its natural state cannot support the water demands its citizens place on it. As a result, we are becoming increasingly aware of our usage of water and its impact on our environment. While there are numerous measures being taken to combat the drought, understanding that some plants require more water and care than others is an important factor. When one takes into account the amount of irrigated landscape found in Southern California, choosing what is appropriate given our climate can have a massive impact. A transformation is necessary to adopt landscapes that minimize water use while retaining their use, attractiveness, and cultural value. Substituting less thirsty, California-friendly plant material rather than the traditional high demand turf is necessary in order to transform our region into a more responsible, ecologically driven one- one that can respond to and reform in response to the current water crisis so that we can prevent future ones before they take place. There are multiple benefits to a California friendly landscape. These may include water conservation and therefore reduced costs, an attractive infusion of texture and contrast, colorful foliage and flowers, lower maintenance, and ecological value above and beyond what turf can provide. To create an impetus for change, businesses and citizens are encouraged to participate and create models for change in their own yards. This document is meant to provide inspiration for what can be acheived given a little more thought to what is appropriate in our naturally dry, Mediterranean climate. This document presents a variety of California-friendly landscape themes suitable as turf alternatives. The images shown reflect types of vegetation and garden styles that can be employed in a variety of landscape applications. The different styles represented are: Desert Gardens, Mediterranean Gardens, Succulent Gardens, Coastal Gardens and California Native Gardens. All of these thematic landscape solutions can be adopted to be drought tolerant.
Image by BMLA
310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
1
Table of Contents
Turf Removal Before & After
3
Desert Gardens
5
Mediterranean Gardens
7
Succulent Gardens
9
Coastal Gardens
11
California Native Gardens
13
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/?gallery=1
310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
2
Turf Removal Before & After
Before
After Image by BMLA
CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES 310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
3
Turf Removal Before & After
Before
After Image by Carlos Palomo
CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES 310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
4
Design Concepts: Desert Gardens Describing Southern California’s more arid areas as barren deserts is a simplistic view that doesn’t take into account the beauty, color, form, and variety these regions possess. With the appropriate plant selection, a desert themed garden can have incredible variety within its attractive flowers, forms, and foliage. Succulents can supply a wide range of striking color that will add interest to the landscape. Grasses can add movement and texture, while flowering trees can add a dramatic presence in a landscape. Source: Perry, Bob. Landscape Plants for California Gardens: An Illustrated Reference of Plants for California Landscapes. Claremont, CA: Land Design Pub., 2010. Print.
Source: http://boxhilldesign.com/projects/residential-2/lunt-residence/
Source: http://deboracarl.com/gallery/san-diego
Source: https://www.santaritalandscaping.com/
CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES 310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
5
Design Concepts: Desert Gardens
Source: https://www.santaritalandscaping.com/custom-residential/
Source:http://deboracarl.com/gallery/
Source: http://d-crain.com/private/
Source: http://chip-n-daleslandscaping.com/portfolio-item/xeriscape-2/
CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES 310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
6
Design Concepts: Mediterranean Gardens Enjoying a the same mild Mediterranean climate as other regions in Europe, Australia, South America, and South Africa means that plants from those areas are naturally suited to Southern California’s climate. Since many species of plants from different locations can blend in with the Mediterranean theme, the resulting gardens can feature a wide array of interesting landscapes. Featuring lush, beautiful plants with year-round foliage, the Mediterranean garden is a popular theme throughout our region. Many have adopted this type of landscape featuring colorful flowers, succulent accents, coastal natives and aromatic, evergreen shrubs. With plants that range from deep purples to mellow blues to bright reds, they are sure to add color in every landscape.
Source: Perry, Bob. Landscape Plants for California Gardens: An Illustrated Reference of Plants for California Landscapes. Claremont, CA: Land Design Pub., 2010. Print.
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/?gallery=1
Source: Marion Brenner - http://www.shadesofgreenla.com/project/hilltop-hideaway/
CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES 310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
7
Design Concepts: Mediterranean Gardens
Source: http://www.roxydesigns.com/portfolio/24/#!prettyPhoto[gallery]/1/
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/?gallery=1
Source: Lauren Hall Knight - http://www.shadesofgreenla.com/project/front-yard-retreat/
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/?gallery=1
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/?gallery=1
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/ ?gallery=1
CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES 310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
8
Design Concepts: Succulent Gardens “Succulent describes any plant that survives drought by storing water in its leaves, stems, or roots� (Debra Lee Baldwin, 9). Succulents not only complement a desert garden, but are also often found alongside other drought tolerant plants in Mediterranean gardens. They can just as easily be a garden unto themselves. With such a wide variety of colors, textures, and forms available, many different looks can be achieved. Due to their unique nature, succulents are widely suited to many environments and also incredibly low maintenance. With their eye-catching colors and wonderful features, they can easily become the focal point for any garden. Source: Baldwin, Debra Lee. Designing with Succulents. Portland, Or.: Timber, 2007. Print.
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/?gallery=3
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/?gallery=1
CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES 310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
9
Design Concepts: Succulent Gardens
Source: http://studio-landscape.com/home/photos/
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/?gallery=3
Source: http://www.urbanbotanics.net/landscape/glen_ellen/index.html
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/?gallery=1
Source: http://gracedesignassociates.com/gallery/Projects/Hidden_Valley
CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES 310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
10
Design Concepts: Coastal Gardens Colorful shrubs, feathery grasses and vibrant succulents are typical of coastal gardens. With a variety of colors that can fill swales or cover hillsides, there’s always contrast and texture to add interest to the landscape. Grasses planted in masses can create wonderful movement, imitating the waves of the ocean. With vibrant succulents to add a pop of color and unique character, and flowering shrubs to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, these dynamic scenes are mesmerizing.
Source: Perry, Bob. Landscape Plants for California Gardens: An Illustrated Reference of Plants for California Landscapes. Claremont, CA: Land Design Pub., 2010. Print.
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/?gallery=1
Source: Michele Lee Wilson - http://www.arterrasf.com/painterly-approach/gm73cv0rv6t7bfpfb0uejwc47ef036
CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES 310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
11
Design Concepts: Coastal Gardens
Source: http://www.shadesofgreenla.com/project/cedarhill-garden/
Source: http://www.shadesofgreenla.com/project/cedar-hill-garden/
Source: http://www.shadesofgreenla.com/project/jewel-box-garden/
Source: http://lankfordarchitecture.com/WaterfrontHomes.php
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/?gallery=1
Source: http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/portfolio/?gallery=1
CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES 310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
12
Design Concepts: California Native Gardens There are several plant communities that thrive together within California’s Mediterranean climate, including: Chaparral, Coastal Scrub, Grassland, Forest, Alpine, Desert Scrub and Desert Woodland. Within these communities, seasonal water is needed for plants to thrive through the region’s dry summers. Each zone has its own defining characteristics, which can vary from masses of evergreen leaves and dense vegetation to sparse, low-growing plants. With California’s abundant sunshine, so many variations of landscape are available to choose from, allowing for infinite design possibilities.
Source: Bornstein, Carol, David Fross, and Bart O’Brien. California Native Plants for the Garden. Los Olivos, CA: Cachuma, 2005. Print.
Source: http://www.vanrozeboom.com/blog/category/gardening/
CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES 310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
13
Design Concepts: California Native Gardens
Source: creationslandscapedesigns.com
Source: http://www.roxydesigns.com/27#!prettyPhoto[gallery]/0/
Source: http://gracedesignassociates.com/
Source: creationslandscapedesigns.com
CALIFORNIA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES 310 North Joy Street I Corona, CA 92879 T: 951.737.1124 I F: 951.737.6551 www.bmla.net
July 24, 2015
14