CREATING ART IN THE GARDEN
Cambrian, San Jose, CA
Installed fall 2022
Photographs taken fall 2022, summer 2023, and late summer 2024
Designed by Golden State Gardens
Installed and maintained by Earthscape Gardens
After meeting Golden State Gardens owner, Bianca Vallorz, at a local California native plants garden tour, this homeowner and local artist asked Golden State Gardens to install a garden that features California native plants. Utilizing design elements (contrast, texture, balance, scale, and unity) were the utmost importance to the owner, and Golden State Gardens couldn’t be more happy to make the owners dreams a reality.
First, Golden State Gardens coached the homeowner through the lawn conversion rebate, including sheet mulching the lawn during the summer. Sheet mulching a few months prior to installation fed the soil food web and created rich soil for the new plants. Next, Golden State Gardens worked with the owner to create a property that fit her needs and improved the homes’ resource conservation.
For the front yard design, California native plants replaced the barren lawn with a lush landscape. A custom made hog wire fence was installed around the property line, a new Manzanita privacy screen was placed to shield the front door, and two Manzanita specimens were designed to provide focal interest. The roof line didn’t have a gutter, and dropped water next to the garage foundation. Golden State Gardens fixed this problem by designing a rain garden to capture the water runoff and direct it away from the foundation. Drought tolerant California native plants that appreciate the high winter rain, but can live off extended periods of drought, were used in this space to soak up the pooling water.
Previously, the side yard was an empty space containing compacted soil and weeds, and did not serve a purpose. Knowing that the owner was an artist that loved painting environmental scenes and birds, Golden State Gardens created a private retreat for the owner to work. A place to relax in solitude and gather inspiration. Scented plants were used on either side of the narrow, shaded pathway, which allowed for the senses to be enlightened walking to the secluded bright seat.
