Christiane Holmquist Landscape Design

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A Bench and How It Came to Be

August 3, 2017 By Christiane Holmquist

A Bench and How It Came to Be _ 1

The basalt bench in the shade of the Macadamia Nut tree is Gordon’s favorite spot in his garden.

Authors: Christiane Holmquist & Gordon J.
Photography: Emma Almendarez

A recent project amazed me in its rapid flourishing and the joy it brought me and the homeowner. Planting started in early January of this year, and by May the garden was awash in butterflies, birds, and bloom, surprising and delighting us all. The homeowner was so excited that he volunteered to give me his view of our collaboration, and I gladly reprint here his words, with my picture comments:

A Bench and How It Came to Be -2

The garden had “good bones” in the form of expertly pruned mature trees, Variegated Mock Orange and Indian Hawthorn. However, on the ground plane I replaced a tired lawn, Agapanthus and Star Jasmine with colorful, low-water use perennials, succulents and a few exotic and unfussy terrestrial bromeliads Vriesea imperialis. We added boulders for permanence and welcome texture contrast.

A Story of a Bench

“As a homeowner, I always thought that the best project outcomes occurred when there was a strong collaboration between the design professional and the homeowner. To illustrate, here’s the tale of a bench and how it came to be.

The pool was “just there”, and the surrounding planter beds were in need of fresh color.

Me– an elderly gentleman, AKA “the client.”
Christiane Holmquist–AKA Christiane Holmquist Landscape Design

My wife and I bought our home in 1980, which was 3 years old, but totally lacked landscaping. Using design professionals, we landscaped our property–pool, spa, patios, trees, gardens, etc.  We planted a wide variety of trees, including a gingko, macadamia nut, bronze loquats, citrus, Chinese fringe trees, paper barks, magnolias, cassias, etc.

A Bench and How It Came to Be -4

To rebuild the old dry stream beds, we repositioned the original feather rocks and incorporated many new boulders, pebbles, and gravel with interesting forms and textures. We added many smaller grasses and “water-side” plants, to imitate a mountain stream as convincingly as possible.

As the decades rolled by, the trees became lovely and mature and, correspondingly, we became mature (80+ and counting) (but lovely would be a real stretch). Therefore, with age, we focused on landscape seniorization–how to enjoy and work in the gardens while also minimizing the risk of falls.

A Bench and How It Came to Be-5

Much needed color invigorates the pool area and weaves throughout the garden.

One small seniorization action was to install large stone steps between a concrete walkway and a dry streambed. It gave access to the area and with the solid steps, the risk of tripping or falling was minimized.

A Bench and How It Came to Be _ 6

Stone steps ended at the dry stream bed. Wouldn’t it be more satisfying to rest here in the shade of the tree, to view the garden?

Next Steps

Enter Christiane.  She observed that the garden had “good bones,” meaning that the mature trees and shrubs anchored the new more modern usage of low water plants and native plant material. However, when it came to the stone steps she said, “You can’t have a walkway without a destination! It needs a bench to sit on across from the streambed.” I noted that the spot she was talking about was just beyond a major branch of the macadamia nut tree that I was likely to bump my head on and the bench would be in deep shade.  I nixed the idea.

Christiane and I moved onto other elements of the design project  —  plant species, availability, etc.

A Bench and How It Came to Be _ 7

Echeverias nestled into ever-blooming Sundrops Calylophus drummondii and ‘Pink Spice’ Pelargonium ionidiflorum. You will find these plants often in my designs; they are absolutely dependable, easy going and low-water use plants.

Weeks later, Christiane came back to the idea of a bench. She suggested that it be placed in front of the streambed, but still under the canopy of the macadamia nut tree. This time I was able to picture it–a big stone slab resting on two stone pillars that fit two people comfortably. By now I have lots of confidence in Christiane’s judgment and design strength. Also, the masonry people had done a great job building a new wall. So, let’s do it!!  In goes the bench. It made the nearby birdbath look out-of-place. So, in goes a large stone birdbath in harmony with the bench.

You will find these plants often in my designs; they are absolutely dependable, easy going and low-water use plants.

The Basalt birdbath add to the aged look of this garden.

Fast Forward a Few Months

The stone bench and birdbath are the feature attractions of the center of the gardens.  The bench is my favorite spot.  One can watch the butterflies–monarchs, swallowtails, sulphurs–fluttering in the sunlight and the birds– sometimes chirping away, sometimes silent, sometimes bathing–enjoying the yard. The bench is a great place for conversations with others.  It’s a great place for visitors to enjoy the gardens. A great place for memories.

A Bench and How It Came to Be _ 9

Many years and much creativity went into this garden, and various people have shaped it. The bench invites to sit and contemplate its history and present beauty.

Thank you, Christiane, for your insight and your persistence.
Sincerely,  Gordon.”   (End of quote).

A Bench and How It Came to Be _ 10

A Brunfelsia in full bloom is a stunning attraction in this entry courtyard.

Heartfelt thanks to you, Gordon; I much enjoyed working with you!

Gordon’s comments reinforce my love of helping homeowners see the strengths and weaknesses of their existing gardens, and of developing landscape design plans for their improvement, while keeping the client preferences in mind. With Gordon’s detailed involvement we found exceptional plants that bring life to “good bones” and produce enjoyment year round while keeping the upkeep to a minimum. A project like this teaches me a lot about gardens and how to make them better; it fuels my work and propels me on … to the next garden.

A Bench and How It Came to Be _ 11

Verbena bonariensis ‘Lolly Pop’, Geranium sanguineum, Sundrops Calylophus hartwegii, Vriesea imperialis, Daylilies. A few very commendable plants for low-maintenance and low-water needs gardens. And don’t forget boulders!

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Filed Under: Backyard Landscape Design, Drought Resistant Plants, Landscape Design, Low Maintenance Plants Tagged With: backyard landscape design, diy landscape design, drought resistant landscape design, low water landscaping

Lush and Waterwise Landscape Design in Carlsbad, CA

November 23, 2011 By Christiane Holmquist

Front garden showing plant-driven design This drought resistant landscaping -  front and back – is lovingly planted with exuberant, dramatic greenery that is a pleasure to care for.  Shady sitting areas, water play features for children and adults, and comfortable walkways made from beautiful materials invite year-round outdoor enjoyment. A stunning example of xeriscape design in San Diego.
 
Overgrown landscape hides modern architecture BEFORE: The front yard landscape design was a plant jumble that obscured the entrance to this modern home and darkened the front yard.

WANTED:  The homeowners desired a low water landscape with low maintenance plants; in addition, these gardens should provide year-round gardening pleasure with plants sculptural and bold enough to hold their own against the striking architecture of the home.

 

 

 plant-driven low water landscape in Carlsbad

From the existing planting scheme we kept the palm trees as accents and overhead canopy.  To this we added terrestrial Bromeliads, Echeverias, Aeoniums and Agaves selected for their dramatic foliage, easy care and permanent allure.  A large Aloe bainesii, Bronze Loquats, Leucadendrons “Safari Sunset” and an exotic Trevisia palmata add weight in the mid-plane of the composition.

 

 

 Vriesea sanguinolenta is a striking terrestrial bromeliad The flower bed designs show a plant combination that works well:  The Leucadendrons, Aechmeas and Vrieseas will need watering every 10 days or thereabouts (this of course after the establishment period). They’ll make good companions to the Agaves, Echeverias, Sedums and Coral Bells.
 

 

A naturally rusted cor-ten steel fountain in the front garden

A sleek re-circulating fountain stands across from the window and can be viewed from inside.  A flat-topped boulder and a chair nearby invite to sit and watch the grandchildren play with the water.

This fountain was fabricated from naturally rusted cor-ten steel.  Water is pumped up from a subterranean reservoir into the fountain trough and sheets over its sides.

 

 

Aeonium Black moon pairs up with Peruvian Lily Although Peruvian Lilies and Iris provide a lot of color in the summer months, most of the visual interest is provided by the permanent textures and colors of foliage plants, as here by the Black Moon Aeonium, variegated Foxtail Agave, Dymondia Silver Carpet and Sedum kimnachii, all very fine drought xeriscape plants.
 

 

 A flagstone path bisects the front garden A flagstone path bisects the front garden, connecting the driveway to the front door and continuing around the house to the back garden. It allows viewing and exploring from all angles and increases the enjoyment of so many fascinating plants.
 

 

Pergola and play lawn invite into the garden

This xeriscape design in San Diego has become a garden with generous and exuberant greenery; there is just enough lawn for grandchildren and dog to play on.  A beautiful flagstone path invites strolling past Mexican Marigolds, ornamental grasses, Rock Purslane, Sundrops and Brazilian Coppertree, to name a few.

 

 

Sandbox and splashing boulder in the shade of the Jacaranda The sandbox was placed under the Jacaranda right next to the pergola, and a “splashing boulder” adds another attraction for children and adults. Now parents and children can enjoy their playtime in the comfort of these shady places.
 

 

Vegetables are planted at the feet of perennials in raised beds The raised beds are holding Roses, Lavender, ornamental grasses and Irises of “her” collection as well as vegetables planted at their feet.  With careful placement and their own irrigation cycle no plant interferes with another, and all are doing well.
 

 

Under water world suggested by succulents and cacti Fantastic succulents and cacti evoke a world of other-worldly marine creatures that was inspired by the “sea-scape” created at San Diego Botanic Garden by Jeff Moore, Owner of Solana Succulents. Red Octopus Aloe, Myers Asparagus Fern, Star Fish Aloe and Medusa Plant were set into two earthen mounds decorated with scree, lava rock and boulders to evoke a coral world populated with sea weeds, anemones and star fishes.
 

 

Plants are partners in this garden with man and man-made structures Partners in this project:  Mark Sterk of Columbine Landscape, Escondido, CA, one of the finest landscaping companies in San Diego, executed this project with a never-tiring attention to detail, creative problem solving and absolute dedication to quality performance. Rancho Soledad Nursery, Rancho Santa Fe, CA provided the “exotics” (Vrieseas, Aechmeas, Agaves, Echeverias). Green Meadow Growers in Bonsall, CA provided perennials and succulents. Solana Succulents provided the plants for the “sea scapes”. This is truly a breath taking example of xeriscape in San Diego.
 

 

 

Filed Under: Drought Resistant Landscape, Landscape Design Tagged With: drought resistant landscape design, drought tolerant gardening, landscape design, low maintenance plants, xeriscape San Diego

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Christiane, your design is beautiful. Viewers love the design and color. Thank you so much for all your support while the project was being developed. It would have been more stressful for me had you not held my hand regularly.

Rachel Michel

CHRISTIANE HOLMQUIST LANDSCAPE DESIGN


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