Designing a Water-Wise Garden. Design Goals. Feel Your Space. Before 2/26/2015

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1 Designing a Water-Wise Garden Patti Handfinger Master Gardener Design Goals it works in our environment it s beautiful it fits your site it keeps you healthy 1 2 Before Feel Your Space the breezes the setting the views the shadows the sounds 3 4 1

2 After The Sustainable Difference process not product sequence change through time 5 6 the sun path the neighborhood your special space Site Analysis Santa Ana salty breezes wind breaks seasonal directions Wind Patterns 7 8 2

3 traffic preservation HOA courtesy privacy front porch good fences rabbits and deer The Neighborhood 9 10 Getting Started what you do in each area moving through the space treasures to keep over-watering problem areas scrap book of what you like creative crossings bridges low places use nature Here to There

4 Paths Hierarchy of width Safe surfaces Extending visual width on a budget existing trees existing plants existing paving First Resource Re-purpose Reduce waste Restore Design 3 Rs

5 Curb Appeal what guides you to your front door gates privacy matching your architecture mending fences The View from Inside what you see from each room what your neighbors see screening focal points bright rooms living awnings and screens Parking safety permeability convenience stepping out of the car needs

6 Utilities The Street to Your Door location access screening driveways - permeability pathways - defined with curves buffer space between the street and the house The pathway - another style curved permeable inviting safe soft edges color

7 Follow the Sun Rise use shadows for afternoon shade find that sunny patio through the seasons fertility stability drainage erosion testing Soil Considerations dig 1 gallon hole fill with water wait 30 minutes repeat Drainage Test Soil Types sandy loamy sand sandy clay silty clay clay choose the right plants!

8 Slopes hills and high spots low places building topography cool shady north and east warm (hot) dry south and west Water sources plumbing water flow over the land drainage standing water a good neighbor cutting back Color Simple Foliage Colors few abrupt changes follows the seasons focal points flower spikes flow fewer annuals

9 Color monochrome - variation of foliage contrast - draws attention harmony - soothing white - evening interest gray - buffers between colors its not just the flowers Use gray foliage to blend and buffer purples Monochromatic harmony not monotony could add white gray yellow Texture variety used to add interest year-round multi-season creates visual depth drama with coarse textures soothing fine textures

10 Texture Texture needs variety Texture Movement

11 Size Size Variety variety adds interest same plant at multiple growth stages sculpts flat topography use odd numbers in groups natural groupings mounding clusters spacing avoid monoculture Repetition Time evolving periods of growth and dormancy shifting focal points through the season

12 interim filling mature proportions scale how it fits together Shape 2D Form 3D horizontal - spreading ground-cover replaces lawn vertical - focus and movement rounded - mounded contours changing - tall flower spikes simple mulch gravel pavers plants permeability Ground Cover

13 Tall Flower Spikes Accessories pottery protected seating trellises arbors bird baths chimes Rain Drops sheltered dry areas need water gutters bio-swale permeability keep it on your property run-off = resources down the drain Topography dry creeks catch water existing trees give definition berms provide drainage

14 Topography illusions dig a dry creek safety beauty security view from inside view from street Lighting After Dark A Special Purpose native specimens wildlife habitat child s play meditation newspaper and coffee culinary collectors gardens

15 year round shelter water pollinators nectars Wildlife Habitat hydro-zone full sun close to kitchen Edibiles Edibles

16 Raised Beds and Pots Picture it in your mind Framing your home Getting from the street to your door A place to pause An invitation to explore Safe and Accessible avoid hazards eliminate steps sloping paths smooth surfaces supportive sidewalks Unity match your architecture consider your setting use borrowed landscapes from surroundings

17 Style formal, geometric and rectilinear--allee of trees natural and curvy--winding paths Foot Traffic lawns gravel and decomposed granite pavers poured concrete ground covers Harmony repeat your plants repeat your hardscape elements make the floor consistent make scale consistent limit the palette buffer with grays pop with whites Color Scheme

18 Dry shade Deer and rabbits Slopes Oaks Problem Areas Balance proportion symmetry more formal or asymmetry more natural axis sight lines Repetition makes it look natural cluster focal and support

19 water wise clusters subtle color dry shade Succulent Bouquet Contrast and Variety variegated foliage placement of shade and shadows color contrast A Traditional Look yes, this too can be water wise Shape and Form on Your Plan shape is 2D map form is 3D as viewed from the ground

20 Working with Form Shape shows the dry stream and ferns Form shows the tall trees punctuate with verticals trees tall shrubs flow with horizontals ground covers meadows inside out room to breathe vantage points focal points Line of Sight Texture fine textures push back coarse textures comes forward

21 foliage variegation seasonal inside out colors of hardscape Color How People Fit protected seating areas arousing curiosity close up frame distant vistas and views exploring treasures intriguing gateways Field Design mock up mark out boundaries stake the corners and twine together mark your trees newspaper boulders and shrubs fake walls

22 Meadow Measuring base sheet start at the house draw the lot lines locate all structures and trees add details The Bubble Diagram on trace on top of base sheet planting ovals structures rectangles loosely to scale patios, play areas, orchards screening access The Concept Plan puts the bubble to work patios walks trees water features gardens orchards

23 Plant and Materials Palettes Keep it simple compatibility availability sustainability costs A Professional Palette two ground covers two paver styles two mulches two tree varieties two fillers six perennials Speciality Plans grading and drainage lighting planting irrigation legal issues Light and Sound night views curb appeal masking unwelcome noise muffle traffic with trickle

24 Getting Help family and friends Master Gardeners helpline landscape designers landscape contractors gardeners arborist (ISA certified) plumbers Maintenance do you like to prune? Maintenance Enjoy sustainable doesn t mean maintenance free pruning raking right plant, right place fine gardening vs. mow & blow

25 plan photo pencils eraser ruler scrapbook Getting to Work 97 25