Below are some additional photo close-ups from the garden featured in the Portfolio section of L. A. Peluso Designs entitled “Low-Water Landscape Rebate – Rustic and Natural Garden Design in Willow Glen Neighborhood of San Jose.” Photography by Jewel Photography of Sacramento.
Below are “Before and After” photos of a recent rear yard and side garden renovation design taken shortly after installation. Design by owner/designer Leslie Peluso of L. A. Peluso Designs. Each “Before” photo is above the appropriate “After” photo. The captioned gallery at the end contains closeups after installation. The plant palette includes California native plants Salvia clevelandii (commonly known as Cleveland Sage), Heteromeles arbutifolia (commonly known as Toyon), Rhamnus californica ‘Mound San Bruno’ (commonly known as Mound San Bruno Coffeeberry), and Achillea millefolium (commonly known as Yarrow). A lush, no-mow and low-water native sod from Delta Bluegrass was included to add a resting place for the eye and a lusher look. For photos of the front yard landscape design of this renovated Mid-Century Modern home, please see the Portfolio tab of L. A. Peluso Designs located here. Photography by Jewel Photography of Sacramento.
Above: California Wild Lilac and Santa Barbara Daisy, both low in water use.
Lupinus succulentus ‘Rodeo Rose,’ a California Native Hybrid Lupine which self sows–even in gravel, this year also sowed itself in the container above–how convenient!
Rosmarinus officinalis, quite happily blooming in an 18″ container, beloved by bees and amazingly similar in bloom color and form to our California Native Wild Lilac above and below.
Above: A bee enjoys a potted California Wild Lilac before its friends arrive. California Wild Lilac is a favorite of local and European bees throughout California. It is evergreen and can be long-lived if it is not watered during the summer.
All this beauty and spring has just sprung! TTFN!
-Leslie
Tired of planting the “same-o, same-o flowers” for fall color? Mums are wonderful, it’s true, but how about a less thirsty change of pace? Try these California Native plants needing less water:
Helianthus annuus (Delta Sunflower or Common Sunflower)
Eriogonum giganteum (St. Catherine’s Lace) in the spring with a happy bee! And, below in the fall, a close-up of this buckwheat’s back side and rusty fall color. It turns pinkish in-between! I’ll have to remember to add that photo next year.
Helenium puberulum (Autumn Lollipop or Lollipop)* *Warning – Poisonous if ingested*
Bees flock to any of the above bloomers. Here is one now:
What are your favorite fall-blooming natives (California or otherwise)?
Stuffed in a wood planter box and blooming for weeks now on very little water just once a week, is succulent Echeveria ‘Encantada’. A show-stopper, measuring 21″ across at the base of the rosette! USDA Zone 9b.
Here is the “Before” pic taken months ago:
“Encantada’s” name (in Spanish) fits. Are you as “delighted” and “enchanted” as I am with this beauty? Bonus: This is a hummingbird magnet and takes little maintenance. Gotta have it? You can order through your local nursery or online here:
L, L