Erigeron karvinskianus commonly known as Santa Barbara Daisy and natural Full Range Bluestone Garden Path – L. A. Peluso DesignsHydrangea quercifolia ‘Snow Queen’ Blossom – L. A. Peluso Designs Coprosma (foreground – left); Oakleaf Hydrangea (in blossom); Phormium (background) – L. A. Peluso Designs Lavender Lavandula intermedia ‘Provence’ – L. A. Peluso DesignsHappy Bee! Lavender Lavandula intermedia ‘Provence’ – L. A. Peluso DesignsWestringia fruticosa ‘Smokey’ Close-up – L. A. Peluso Designs
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 thePortfolio tab of L. A. Peluso Designs located here. Photography by Jewel Photography of Sacramento.
Side Yard – Before
Side Yard – After
Rear Patio – Before
Rear Patio – After
Meadow – Before
Meadow – After
Patio from Meadow Looking at Rear House Facade – Before
Patio from Meadow Looking at Rear House Facade – After
Before
After
Before
After
Closeup of meadow garden design featuring Native Mow Free (TM) sod available through Delta Bluegrass – L. A. Peluso Designs
Closeup of Achillea millefoliumLovely existing Japanese maple
Closeup of flowers on Rhamnus californica [Frangula californica] ‘Mound San Bruno,’ a California native plant selection – L. A. Peluso Designs
Another view of the rear garden design from its side entrance – L. A. Peluso Designs
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.
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: