Monthly Archives: July 2014

Modern Beachside Beauty

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The custom door created by John Krwczyk features waves and an olive tree, extending a warm welcome and adding a sculptural element to the garden space.

The custom door created by John Krwczyk features waves and an olive tree, extending a warm welcome and adding a sculptural element to the garden space.

In sync with the austere lines of the building, this low-growing version of the FormLA® IdealMow™ lawn requires no chemical fertilizers or pesticides and very little water in this environment, a material employed to protect both the ocean and surfers from toxic chemicals.

In sync with the austere lines of the building, this low-growing version of the FormLA® IdealMow™ lawn requires no chemical fertilizers or pesticides and very little water in this environment, a material employed to protect both the ocean and surfers from toxic chemicals.

Clean lines and a simple color palette complement the modern, minimalist architecture and tailored, clean interior designs.

Clean lines and a simple color palette complement the modern, minimalist architecture and tailored, clean interior designs.

This outdoor kitchen is only visible to the cook. The curved accent wall protects both the outdoor and indoor aesthetic.

This outdoor kitchen is only visible to the cook. The curved accent wall protects both the outdoor and indoor aesthetic.

Mature, fruitless olive trees provide shade, buffer noise from PCH, and provide privacy from hillside properties.

Mature, fruitless olive trees provide shade, buffer noise from PCH, and provide privacy from hillside properties.

The curved accent and retaining wall provides a sense of movement and elevates mature olive trees.

The curved accent and retaining wall provides a sense of movement and elevates mature olive trees.

Stylishly simple, the curved beds of permeable gravel accented with concrete pavers allow rain to absorb into the landscape.

Stylishly simple, the curved beds of permeable gravel accented with concrete pavers allow rain to absorb into the landscape.

Simple and commanding, this rock sculpture provides a focal point from the interior entryway as well as the approach to the front door.

Simple and commanding, this rock sculpture provides a focal point from the interior entryway as well as the approach to the front door.

Infrastructure was critical to protecting both the aesthetic and the ocean. Subsurface drip irrigation is all but invisible and produces no run-off or noise.

Infrastructure was critical to protecting both the aesthetic and the ocean. Subsurface drip irrigation is all but invisible and produces no run-off or noise.

Like golden clouds, these grasses provide warmth and movement to the peaceful green and white landscape.

Like golden clouds, these grasses provide warmth and movement to the peaceful green and white landscape.

The spines and points of this tree aloe add fire-element drama to the Zen-like space.

The spines and points of this tree aloe add fire-element drama to the Zen-like space.

From within the Dane’s cubist home, this Zen-like garden and the ocean take command of a flawlessly simple, warm interior space. Mark Weaver and Associates, an interior design and project management firm, worked closely with FormLA Landscaping design and build teams to ensure the garden became an effective interior design element.

Pampas Grass vs. CA Yucca

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Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) vs. Our Lords Candle (Hesperoyucca Whipplei Parishi)

Two plants provide plumes of white that look like large sticks of cotton candy peppering California hillsides. Don’t be fooled! Both have spikey foliage capable of taking a good bite out of you! One is native here and throughout much of the warm-weathered U.S., and it is well adapted to fight drought and fire. The other invaded our hillsides and bears responsibility for a good share of Los Angeles’ fire, flood, slide cycle. Which will you choose to have in your garden?
 
 
Killian2018_Yucca05_ParkerMesa
 
 

Hesperoyucca Whipplei Parishi, Our Lords Candle

Coming upon a Yucca Whipplei sparks wonder. Prevalent from the coast to the alpine regions around California, Yucca’s blue-grey, spikey and highly architectural foliage can be as much as 6’ feet in diameter where it has space to grow. A pretty extraordinary wet-to-dry exchange, Yucca actually likes periods of completely dry soil.

Yucca’s blooms are both impressive and unique. Lasting for weeks, hundreds of bell-like flowers form clusters that top 8’ foot spikes. They fill the hills in June, wrapping up their bloom in early July. Check out rocky slopes to catch the last of these magnificent “candles” interspersed with fully blooming Eriogonum fasciculatum (California Buckwheat), and Zauchneria species.

It’s all the more impressive for exactly how much it serves us. Whipplei is designed to withstand drought and fire, and it’s deep roots are ideal for retaining slopes. It’s blooms and roots are edible – deliciously so!

Yucca has its own downsides – harmless quirks, really. After Yucca’s bloom, the full plant dies. Its pups and seeds then create new plants in its place. These pups and plants will take several years to bloom themselves. Also, like Pampas Grass, sharp Yucca leaves can bite and slice, so it’s smart to place them away from paths and walks.
 
 

Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)

CAL-IPC san diego county pampasCalifornia Coastal Commission VolunteersFoam-capped waves of the ocean line one side of the Pacific Coast Highway, cliffs of feathery white the other. We see so much Pampas Grass in our wild spaces, it is easy to believe it belongs there. It does not!

Pampas Grass was introduced as an ornamental for erosion control. It was not an entirely illogical choice. It thrives in hot sun, adapts to a wide variety of soils, and resists deer.  Now well established in our community, Pampas Grass makes profound contributions to our fire, flood, slide cycles. Why?

  • It works itself into the delicate soils of crevices and corners, further dislodging soil.
  • It resists many California native fauna – unappealing as a food source, it depletes habitat as it spreads.
  • Each of the sparkling, feathery plumes of Pampas Grass can contain 100,000 seed heads. Is it any wonder the California Invasive Plant Council rates it as highly invasive?

Ironically, there is a lovely California native with truly unique blooms and extraordinary architectural foliage that retains slopes with none of the Pampas’ downside.

 
 

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