Residential
Here are some designs/prints from our jobs in a variety of residential settings & locations. Each design comes with 4 blueprint copies of Planting Details page (with plant list) as well as an Info page (with specifics on planting & irrigation requirements). For additional photos of other conversions, please visit the Flickr examples from Valley Water Rebate.
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From lawn…to spacious garden showcase
Before…and
after (six months later)
Basic planting design with Installation Guide (for homeowner or contractor, lower left)
Residential design: Corner lot in Saratoga, CA. First customer working with Santa Clara Valley Water District Rebate Program, from plants to irrigation (note p.2 detail with specifics—Dec. 2021). Full rebate of $3000 awarded within months of completion.
This small footprint dry creek bed isn't just decorative—it hides a French drain (3-4' deep) for catching water run-off, solving annual issue of standing water in yard
Again, quick before…and after (about two months after planting)
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From formally laid out lawn, etc…to
water-shed rain garden
Residential design: Front yard in Almaden Valley in San Jose, CA. Earned $2500+ from Santa Clara Valley Water District Rebate Program with qualified plants and irrigation (note page 2 detail with specifics—Dec. 2021)
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From lawn…to garden with front patio area
Creating an outdoor room with the addition of a walled off living area in front is easily doable. Dry creek bed flows lazily from back yard along side to create better drainage and capture water as well (Dec. 2021—$2500+ rebate awarded)
Smaller back yard with gentle pathway from patio to bedroom
Complete shift to year-round color
in front and back yards!
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Heucherra 'Forever Red' coral bells adds subtle year-round color alongside of driveway
Residential design: front and back yards of modest home in Palo Alto (off El Camino Real) relies on front yard creek bed to capture water for plants from two problematic downspouts for runoff control and deep watering in rainy season (March 2023—$3000 rebate awarded)
Front yard (note downspouts with dry creek beds converging into main basin)
Residential design: Front yard in San Jose, CA. Priorities: transition from large lawn footprint, comply with new state Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) guidelines for plants and irrigation system/total water usage while providing maximum foliage/bloom color (Sept. 2020/pre-Rebate Program)
Detail page, including hydrozone (water usage), plant list, planting details, drip irrigation guidelines, and other information
Reduced lawn…with accent color
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Residential design (pre-water restrictions): planting detail (1 of 10 separate and distinct designs) of entry area to an historic 5+ acre estate in Saratoga, CA (2019)
Estate in Saratoga
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"Drive": former asphalt driveway was converted to pavers (matching the front courtyard at end of drive) with Butterfly Iris and espaliered Fern-leaf Yew and Sasanqua Camellias
Base of heritage cedar… its carefully safeguarded with casual plantings of Agapanthus and Azaleas
Area Indicated "Parking": it was decided to include a fountain in area surrounding parking (to match Spanish theme)
Looking down side of pergola to dog run of matching artificial turf
Residential design for existing hardscape (lap pool, pergola and patio) behind cottage home in Los Gatos, CA. Color palate is green and white; garden area behind garage/off patio; dog run behind house with matching artificial turf continuing off main lawn area (May 2018)
Lap pool and spa with elevated planter above (horsetail rushes hide pool equipment)
Raised family garden area
(just off patio, full sun)
Back yard leisure…
Back to the Beginning: modest front yard design and installation from my company, Quicksilver Landscape, back in the 1980's in Los Gatos (total lawn conversi0n with terraced brick walkway—a preview of drought-tolerant front yards to come)