This story is of a front and back yard design and installation, approximately 2,000 square feet previously dominated by lawn, concrete and a pool. All of this was removed with the vision to create a sanctuary for birds and butterflies. The homeowners were open to complete creativity and innovation, and were inspired to transform their compact space into a shared habitat for wildlife and people.
In this garden, each area serves a specific purpose such as water capture, habitat for wildlife, and a tranquil retreat for people. Mounded soil divides the backyard into three islands connected by bridges and pathways. The varying topography adds visual interest and provides drainage for plants that would otherwise struggle in the clay soil which is prominent in many Orange County neighborhoods. During rainfall, these mounds turn into islands as water fills the basins around them and channel into a natural stream that runs along the property, and out into the front yard, creating connectivity between the two spaces. Natural, hand built wooden garden features complement the landscape, while a stone water feature mimics a fresh water spring providing a place for birds to visit and adding to the garden’s tranquility.
This garden includes a diverse selection of southern California local and rare plants found only in the Channel Islands. Each section of the garden features a different grouping of plants, reflecting the varied micro-climates found in this small space. The story of coastal chaparral plants are chosen for the sunny and dryer spots, while woodland understory plants are chosen in the shady areas of the garden. Even in a small landscape such as this, groves of trees are planted in close proximity, and as they grow they will provide a canopy to walk through, and screening to a secluded part of the garden.
