Mid Century Westside Oasis

 Here was this sloping square with a sudden drop –off, seven year’s growth of weeds, and the desire for a cactus garden.  With concern over the steep slope, I felt a second level of retaining wall was necessary. The weeds were cleared. The hillside contoured, and half walls built in front and on the left, left open in the middle to allow for a dry stream bed to break through.  I wanted to capture the image of a wild torrent of a  flash flood bursting the ½ wall open, leaving behind rocks where a smattering of desert plants had regrown over time.  Rocks were imported: boulders,  several pallets of smaller support rocks.  Groupings of phormeum dark delight creates a backdrop for blue agave, various aloe, puya Bolivia, senecio and a few variegated agave.  Sticks of fire light the yard up.  By the entry /driveway a pattern of barrel cactus warn away would be climbers of the wall, and agave blue glow settled in black pebbles provides ordered borders, both at the sidewalk and lining the planter below the window. 

mid-century modern update

Fireplace overshadowed flagstone terrace

smooth coat concrete updated the fireplace as back yard nears completion

Overgrown and crumbling

Harmonious colors and simplicity provide a calming oasis

Before and Afters

Retaining wall provides terracing and stability for the hillside

Buffalo grass provides a drought tolerant green run for future pets, while Pittosporum silver sheen, chosen for their black branches and shimmering leaves, are offset by the purple wall

Buffalo grass is fast becoming a southland favorite as it loves heat, requires a fraction the water of a regular lawn, and no pesticides, a big plus if you have pets or children playing and absorbing whatever is on it.  It begins as small tufts, gradually filling in to short mounds if left to itself.  Mowing will eventually result in a uniform lawn.  Unlike most grass, it thrives in the heat so looks its best in the summer when many lawns are turning brown.  

Drip irrigation is used throughout, resulting in minimal transpiration losses, a big plus here where water is in short supply. 

    We love succulents!

Evening Glow

Echevaria is a large genus of the crassulae family native to the semi-desert areas of central America from Mexico to northwestern South America (Wikepedia).  Their leaves look like exquisite blossoms and come in a range of colors.  These ones remain compact and are in the pink/purple range.
 

Red Eye

Three varieties of echevaria are planted diagonally in alternating rows

     Drip irrigation is hidden under the pebble surface, providing moisture with a minimum of water loss due to evaporation.  The plants will grow to about 14" in diameter over the next 12 months.

Garden makeover

Nearing completion, here are a couple of before and afters.

The land is cleared here, but the space is tired

A new flagstone terrace and banquette, desert plantings, pebbles and stone make all the difference

can you even find the path?

Aloes, agaves, barrel cactus and sticks of fire embellish the new pathway to the upper level.

Part 1: The Challenge: The gardens of this Mid-Century Modern Westside home had been let go for years.  The challenge is to transform it into a serene retreat with desert overtones.  Here is where we started:

The upper terrace was poorly built to begin with and had several severe cracks in it.

Parts of the retaining walls and brick banquette were compromised, the railroad ties were rotting, and a new planting concept was needed

The brick fireplace upstaged the flagstone terrace

Where to begin?  After clearing the land we were able to really see the state of the hard surfaces.  We decided the basic elements were worth keeping, but retaining walls needed to be higher and reinforced and the terrace and banquette could use a complete makeover.

before

curved sidewalk and patio create a welcoming presence

When it came to updating this Mar Vista garden, we replaced a straight sidewalk with curves, created a deeper front porch, added rocks and pocket gardens resulting a cheerier, more welcoming street presence.  Now the patio/porch is a place to sit and enjoy the street scene.

pocket plantings, rocks and stepping stones add depth to the garden