\u00a9 Marion Brenner<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div><\/h3>\nAs the garden only measures 14m by 9m and slopes on a 3:1 slope or an 18-degree angle, the layout is simple. The top space near the house has limestone paving that is flexible in terms of furniture<\/a> and use, and has a tiny bit of a view. Twelve staggered steps lead down to the lower garden, the most immersive space. \u201cWe wanted the garden to reveal itself as you descend into it,\u201d says Roderick. The lower terrace is composed of limestone pavers interplanted with evergreen ground cover plants<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The slope<\/h3>\n
The original garden had terraces and retaining walls, which were removed. \u201cWe shaped and sculpted the whole slope instead,\u201d explains Roderick. \u201cThe trees<\/a> and boulders were carefully graded into the slope to create natural terracing. The gentle gradient, boulders and planting keep the slope from subsiding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benches and boulders<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Marion Brenner<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
The boulders and stone for the two benches are local granite Sonoma field stones, sourced from a stone distributor and fabricator across the bay. Eight boulders of different shapes and sizes punctuate the downward slope: \u201cThey create a sense of continuity and allowed us to be bold in a small space.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the lower garden, large stones have been shaped into organic benches, creating a destination and a place to sit. The form of the benches was inspired by the work of US-Japanese sculptor Isamu Noguchi. All of the materials had to be craned into the site. \u201cThe crane schedule is a reality in San Francisco \u2013 there is no other way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trees<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Marion Brenner<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>A trio of flowering dogwoods<\/a> (Cornus kousa<\/em>), two on the main slope and a third at the bottom of the garden, bring height to the space. \u201cThey define it without overwhelming it. They\u2019re not shade trees \u2013 in San Francisco, shade is sometimes needed, but here we needed to allow light into the garden.\u201d\n
Hedges<\/h3>\n
The garden was surrounded by an existing Pittosporum tenuifolium<\/em> hedge<\/a> on three sides. \u201cWe wanted to be responsible, so the new planting is a bridge between what was there before and what\u2019s there now.\u201d Holes in the hedges were filled in, with additional pittosporum and evergreen Clematis armandii<\/em> \u2018Snowdrift\u2019. Hydrangea quercifolia<\/em> (oak-leaved hydrangea) were added in front to create depth visually, plus some seasonal interest in summer and autumn.<\/p>\n
Variegated plants<\/h3>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Marion Brenner<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nMost of the plants are completely drought tolerant<\/a>, as water management is of course a big issue in California. But aside from that, Roderick wanted to explore something he had never done before: variegated plants<\/a>. \u201cSmaller projects give us an opportunity to explore and do more,\u201d says Roderick. \u201cSo after years of avoiding variegated plants<\/a>, we were really interested in using them here. In the past, variegation might have felt out of place or a little bit too ornamental, but in this garden we felt there was an opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
The palette of variegated plants is limited to a sedum, Hylotelephium<\/em> \u2018Autumn Charm\u2019, an ornamental grass<\/a>, Miscanthus sinensis<\/em> \u2018Morning Light\u2019 and Carex oshimensis<\/em> Everest (= \u2018Fiwhite\u2019), their pale tones bringing a wash of light to the north-facing space. \u201cThe variegation is interesting in itself but also provides an almost glowing light effect in the evening. And it complements the white flowers of the dogwood.\u201d<\/p>\n
The other plants were chosen to complement the variegated plants, including the grey-toned fern<\/a> Athyrium<\/em> \u2018Ghost\u2019, silver-blue Eryngium<\/a> planum<\/em> \u2018Blue Glitter\u2019 and white and blue salvias<\/a> (Salvia<\/em> x sylvestris<\/em> \u2018Schneeh\u00fcgel\u2019 and Salvia<\/em> Mystic Spires Blue (=\u2018Balsalmisp\u2019).<\/p>\n
Find out more about Surfacedesign at sdisf.com<\/a><\/p>\n
Here\u2019s more on how variegated plants split opinion<\/a><\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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