Jennifer Voss: Gardefacts Design

Jennifer Voss studied botany at Santa Barbara City College with Professor Al Flink and landscape design studies at UCLA, but says most of her learning and inspiration over the past 20 years in business comes from the “school of life,” which includes global journeys focusing on landscapes, gardens, architecture, and art.

Friends & Family: “My real start began when family and friends buying their first homes were trying to create thoughtful, functional, relaxing, and beautiful outdoor gathering spaces. I was always jumping in and offering ideas. I soon became the “go-to” person to ask about landscaping. It happened very organically. There was an area of creativity and design in my brain that seemed to naturally feel confident about what to do about landscaping.

Bring on the color: Listening to clients and asking the right questions is extremely important. Being practical, as well as bold and interesting. When the “texture and foliage color” garden design movement started, I jumped right in. Even in Southern California, with our fabulous weather, people didn’t plant “all-season” color. With all the new plants from around the world, we can enjoy colorful, textural gardens most of the year.

Painting with plants: My client asked for color for their Padaro Lane beach house garden shown here. I designed the garden to reflect the ocean on the land. I chose many South African, New Zealand, and Australian plants that can tolerate beachside conditions. The blue senecio serpens mimics the water and the rocks mimic the foam in water or crashing waves. The native dudleyas, echeverias, and sempervirens remind us of sea anemone attached to rocks. The remainder is like a coral reef that’s not submerged.

Tips: Think about scale and how you want your plants to grow into the space, and create an interesting focal point if applicable. Make sure you have a good gardener to help you maintain your creation after it’s installed. Garden care is so important and often forgotten. Proper garden care is a landscape designer’s biggest thorn. Who will take care of the garden and properly nurture it along into maturity and beyond? Good garden design is the cake, but good garden maintenance is the icing or key to a successful garden.

Favorite sources: The community of growers and retailers that support our industry are thoughtful and helpful including wonderful nurseries like Terra Sol, 7-Day and Seaside Gardens. Eye of the Day Garden Center has an amazing array of pots from around the world and the most helpful and generous staff. --LAW (Photos by Joshua Curry)

805-450-1096 www.gardefacts.com