I nominate "side yards" as some of the most under-exploited areas in the landscape! What a shame, especially when every square foot of real estate is valuable, even in a down economy.  

Small, narrow yards can be perplexing to some homeowners who don't know which plants and trees work in a constricted space.

The good news is that not only can you find appropriate plants for small garden areas, you can also design a narrow yard to include walkways, sitting areas, sculpture (or garden art ), water features and  fruit trees!

Here's the proof.

Check out this "narrow side yard"  makeover  I designed for my client in Los Angeles.

 

With sustainable concepts in mind, we used lots of recycled materials.

 

The widest area in this "abandoned side yard" is 10 feet from the wall to the sliding doors, the average is 8 feet wide.

 I inherited an evergreen Pear tree, a noisy air conditioner and a used dishwasher.

Where was "Freecycle" when I needed them 5 years ago?

 

The view from the opposite direction. I had BIG plans for this underused space. All I needed was a good design plan.

 

I try to design "on site" whenever possible.

I used my up-side-down marking paint and drew a new 4-foot wide walkway and flanking garden beds that average about 2 feet deep.

 I earmarked a sitting area and lots of fruit trees!

 

We fashioned "steppingstones" from broken pieces of used and recycled concrete and mortared each individual stone to the ground.

We spaced each stone about a strides-length away (the homeowners' stride), installed tube drip irrigation between each stone, filled with some crushed pea gravel for drainage, and lots of decomposed granite to top it off.

 

After photo: The long narrow walkway is complete! The gardens include lavender, ornamental grasses, tree roses, vines and a romantic metal arch that opens to the backyard. I even included a hanging pendent light.

 

After photo: The opposite view. Scent-filled gardens, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Who knew this "underachieving" piece of real estate could become such a valuable feature in this yard?

 

Creeping "Elfin Thyme" forms a carpet between steppingstones. Festuca o. "Elijah Blue" punctuates the cobble edging and the rest of the garden is filled with herbs and perennials.

 

The key to incorporating fruiting trees in the narrow landscape is to plant dwarf varieties (like this dwarf lemon) in containers and find a sunny corner for them. I have three more fruit trees in this narrow garden!

 

This lemon tree doesn't take up much space horizontally and is a prolific fruiter . It also functions as a focal point in this small garden bed.

We even found room for "garden art" in this cubby area beneath the evergreen Pear tree.

Small can be beautiful!

 

Did I mention the homeowner is a surfer?

This metal surfer sculpture and metal chair is fun and reflects the homeowner's personality.

Even if this chair isn't comfortable to sit on for long periods, you can see that there is plenty of room to substitute it for a more comfy one.

Don't tell me you don't have enough room to be creative!

 

We constructed a simple, recycled wood frame awning  to place above the sliding doors and add dimension to the tall, flat wall.

 The awning is home to a happy potato vine.

 

Antique, ornamental and rustic bolts lend a detail that can be appreciated from close up.

Since this yard is so narrow, everything is closeup!

 

The sound of water is a healing balm.

 As a final touch, we placed a petite fountain on the short  6 foot wall, a larger one would have been out of scale.

 

"EdenMaker" Shirley Bovshow's rule of thumb for narrow yards:

" When selecting trees for narrow areas, make sure the trunk has a narrow profile and that the lowest limbs are higher than 7 feet" so that the average size person can walk underneath it.

Sorry Kobe!

You can still create a dynamic garden in small spaces.

If you are a rose lover, opt for rose trees as they don't take up bulky horizontal space like the bush form does.

Layer your garden with perennials, bulbs, flowering ground covers and vines, or play up contrasting foliage.

You don't need a huge variety of plants to make an interesting garden!"

 

Want some more inspiration?

Visit these Garden Designer's RoundTable member blogs:

Jenny Peterson, J Peterson Garden Design Laura Livengood Schuab, Interleafings The Hegarty/Webber Partnership Susan Morrison, Blue Planet Garden Blog Susan Schlenger, Garden Design Viewpoint Carolyn Gail Choi, Sweet Home and Garden Chicago Tara Dillard, Landscape Design, Decorating Styling

And, if that's not enough, check out these great articles by David Beaulieu.

To learn more about narrow side yard design, fellow blogger David Beaulieu, the Landscaping Guide at at About.com has some great articles:

Photo Guide to Walkways

How to Build a Stone Walkway Walkways and Pathways

How to Make and Use Garden Steppingstones

Supplies for Stone Fountain Project

Varieties of Apple Trees

EdenMaker.TV #3

One of the most significant projects my design partners at Southern California Landscape and I proposed for our clients, the Grinbaum family of Calabasas, California was the complete renovation of their  pool and deck areas.

I can't believe how far we've come in just a few short weeks- it is truly an extreme pool makeover!

 

Before- My clients did not like the formal style of  the pool so we came up with a design plan to modify the shape and look of it.

 

The pool looked fine but it was not the free flowing natural style that my clients favored.

The real problem with the pool area  was small deck.

The deck  felt cramped and seemed to be squeezed between the house and the hillside retaining wall behind the pool.

In order to expand the deck, we were  going to have to move a mountain for the Grinbaums and with the help of some heavy machinery, we did!

 

"My other car is a bobcat!"

Design Tip: In a natural landscape design, consider using boulders or stacked natural stone  over block walls for retaining walls when possible. There are many different varieties of stone available, so look for local stone for best price and to keep the look of your landscape consistent with the surrounding area.

 

Homeowner, Joe Grinbaum gives me a taste of my own medicine as he photographs me photographing him in front of the newly cut hillside.

We pushed the hillside wall back and gained about ten feet of deck space!

 

Watch this short video for more great before and after photos of this extreme pool makeover!

 

We replaced the pavers with three-inch-thick, over sized flagstones that were set in mortar and fashioned steps from them.

The flagstone deck will feature crevice plantings to encourage storm water to percolate through the soil instead of running  off into the street.

A drain will collect excess water.

We played it safe and dragged out the patio furniture that will be used on the deck to ensure generous traffic ways and room for the furniture.

No more congested areas for the Grinbaums!

 

Design Tip: Set pavers, flagstone and brick in sand instead of a cement slab to discourage water runoff. The above elements must be thick enough to withstand foot traffic and pressure from weather changes so that they do not crack.

 

The new flagstone deck is large enough to accommodate lounge chairs, a dining table and some beautiful pots!

 

Design Tip: Opt for low-growing ground covers to fill crevices between flagstones. Grass generally does not do well planted in small strips and dries out easily from the radiant heat of the flagstone.

Elfin thyme, sedums and other low water plants are preferable.

 

After- The Grinbaums now have a beautiful, "almost new" natural-style pool of their dreams!

I can't wait to plant, but I have to wait for the rest of the construction to be completed.

 

Updated Photos!

 

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After- It was worth pushing back the hill to make room for a sunny lounge area!

 

After- The pool and new deck area were treated to rustic natural stone, "Sweetwater."

 

Over-sized flagstones were carefully selected for the steps.

Notice the natural radius and "jagged" face of the stone!

 

After- We fashioned a more natural style pool to the delight of the homeowners!

 

After- Soft, billowy ornamental grasses and well-behaved trees ( no aggressive roots) were planted along the perimeter of the pool to soften the edges and compliment the natural style.

Elfin thyme was planted between the flagstone crevices. Low water, low maintenance plants were used throughout the yard.

 

If your pool is not your style, consider a cosmetic makeover for it.

All you need is a good plan and some talented craftsmen…I know the best crew!

 

If you missed the previous update in the Villa Garden series, "Creating a Sunset Patio Garden," go here.

Eden Maker TV  Post #2

The Villa Garden landscape project for my clients, the Grinbaum family of Calabasas, California is forging ahead at a great pace.

One of the design elements, the new patio off of the formal dining room is almost complete.

 

 

Before: This paved pass-through area is the future site for an open-beam patio. In order to make this area more accessible, a double french door will replace the large window on the right to provide access to the site from the formal dining room.

We are calling this the "sunset" garden patio because of its orientation to the west.

Design Tip: Create new useful areas in your yard by replacing windows with doors. Most people avoid using patios that don't have direct access from the house.  

 

All of the pavers in this area were carefully removed and stored in a safe place for later use.

Although we are introducing flagstone as a flooring element in other parts of the yard, we decided to reuse the pavers in the patio areas and acid stain them a more "earthy" color to compliment the natural stone.

 

Design Tip: Setting pavers in a sand base instead of a concrete pad eliminates excess water runoff as the water is absorbed into the ground. There are many styles and colors of pavers to choose from.

 

 

The 4" inch by 4" inch steel columns help carry the load of the patio wood beams.

Notice all the foundation work is deep in the ground and secured with rebar

. Much of the work involved in creating patios is underneath the ground where no one will ever see it, except the workers and inspectors!

Once the foundation is in, construction moves quickly.

The steel columns will be wrapped with hollow, stone textured columns to give the design a finished look and tie it to the architecture of the house.

Design Tip: Structural steel posts have the advantage over wood because of reduced maintenance, durability and strength.  They can be painted and used "as is" but look better wrapped with a wood veneer or column depending on your architectural style.

 

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Charlie, of Charlie's Construction provided a few different stain color samples for us to review. It is a good idea to create a side by side color sample on the wood that will be used so you get a true color saturation reading.

 

Can you guess which color we chose?

 

Design Tip: Always use outdoor grade lumber for patio construction like this Douglas Fir beam. Wood stains range from clear to opaque and in-between. Milk paint is also an option if you are looking for an eco- friendly alternative. Traditional paint offers more color variety, but requires more upkeep due to paint chipping.   

 

Pre-stained beams are ready to be hung. (We chose the darkest color- "Oxford Brown")  

 

The 6" by 12" inch header goes up first, followed by the smaller, 6" by 10" inch beams.

This labor intensive work requires care and should only be preformed by licensed and bonded contractors.

 

Design Tip: There are hundreds of decorative cuts that can be used on the end of the beams. If there is existing wood work in your architecture it's a good idea to match the detailing  when creating new wood elements

 

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The patio beams are up and we're now chalking out the patio edges and walkway areas.

Homeowner Joe Grinbaum (right), walks the future patio area as project foreman for Southern California Landscape, Eddy Martinez looks on.

Once the perimeter area is confirmed, an edging will be installed and soil dug out to make room for a sand base and the pavers.

The Grinbaum's are almost ready to party in this once-neglected and unused area.

 

  Design Tip: It is helpful to have your outdoor furniture selected before patio completion so you can set it out and make sure you have comfortable traffic space and ample patio area.  

 

 

View of the new patio from bottom of the hill. 

You can see the boulder retaining walls we built to support the area that was built up to expand the patio area.

 

After- A mediterranean garden flourishes along the perimeter of the generous-sized patio!

 

After- Potted plants and strategically placed furniture are employed as "space dividers" in the long patio.

Long patios benefit from "space planning" and the  creation of a series of smaller intimate areas.

 

After- The patio is nestled within a fragrant and cheerful garden, full of Mediterranean plants, Citrus trees and colorful vines.

 

Mission accomplished!

 

 

Visit us again at EdenMaker.TV for more "nosey neighbor" updates on the building of "Villa Gardens."

 

Read the previous update.    

Whether I’m designing a landscape for my clients in Los Angeles or for a family on garden makeover  television, one thing remains the same- the neighbors are always curious about what is going on  ”next door,” so I started EdenMaker.TV!

EdenMaker.TV will feature video, photos and progress notes of my real world landscaping projects to satisfy the curiosity of my client’s friends, family and “nosey neighbors!”

It’s my hope that while peeking into these projects, viewers will take away design ideas, problem solving tips and get an inside look at the effort involved in creating a dream landscape. It’s dirty work! Literally!

You will also meet some of Los Angeles most talented landscaping professionals, like the award winning design/build firm of Southern California Landscape who I partner with to create these outdoor sanctuaries.

   

Look for updates on my current project, the Villa Gardens on  EdenMaker.TV.  

Ever wonder what is going on in your neighbor’s backyard when trash bins are delivered, bobcats go in and out of the yard and landscaper’s trucks seem to be a permanent fixture on the street?

Someone is getting a new landscape!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before Photo of Front Yard

It’s natural to be a little bit curious, even nosey about what is going on next door.

I understand.

As a landscape designer in Los Angeles and garden television host, I’m used to onlookers trying to sneak a peek at the action….so I decided to do something about it!

 

Go Behind the Scenes!

I’m  inviting  you behind the construction gates of one of my projects in Calabasas, California through photo and video posts of the progress on EdenMaker TV.

There is much to learn by watching someone else’s dream garden unfold, though I will warn you,  things get dirty before they get pretty!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grinbaum Family

 

The first project I want to share with you is the making of “Villa Gardens” for one of my favorite clients, the Grinbaum family.

I know this family well because I designed another landscape for them years ago and am familiar with their tastes and lifestyle.

They are a dream to work with because they are knowledgeable (husband Joe is a builder/contractor), have great taste, (wife Randi often suggests ideas for the design) and are so reasonable!

 

Southern California Landscape

My clients deserve the best, so I recommended the award winning landscape design/build company, Southern California Landscape to co-design the project and take charge of the construction.

 

Principal, Javier Martinez is one of the landscape industry’s best talents with detail perfect design instincts and no ego!

Now, that is a rare combination.

Javier and I  bounce ideas off each other, sometimes we agree, sometimes we don’t but the Grinbaum’s get the final word.

I’m excited about combining our design ideas and you’ll get to see the results in upcoming posts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A masonry craftsman from Southern California Landscape works on the pool makeover, replacing a tile water line with stacked stone.

 

Meet Charlie, one of the fun-loving pro’s I get to work with.

There is also another passionate contractor on the job, Charlie of Charlie’s construction who is handling the carpentry work.

Charlie is fun to work with, resourceful and gets the work done in record time.

 

What is “Villa Gardens?”

When I first saw the Grinbaum’s yard a couple of years ago, I thought, “This is a Mediterranean villa ready to happen, but not quite there.”

The house was attractive but had a forgettable quality about it.

It lacked personality and the personal signature of the homeowners who have a fondness for Italian, French and natural garden style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lose the Topiary and “Template Design”

The classic-leaning hardscape and manicured gardens were so “un-Grinbaum.”

I knew I had to get in there and create a garden that can “shake its hair loose.”

The hardscape featured lots of cast concrete detailing- not a bad thing, just not a “Grinbaum thing.”

It will be replaced with warm, natural flagstone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Say “goodbye” to this boring, uninspired hillside.

 

The Design Plan

The core projects within the design plan include:

• New outdoor kitchen, chef’s garden and sports bar for barbecue enthusiast Joe. Yes, Joe will be watching ESPN outside.
• New covered courtyard lounge with shade garden and fountain
• New, covered “Sunset patio” located off of the formal dining room for small scale entertaining or overflow sitting.
• New custom fireplace with built-in sofa for the existing outdoor living room patio.
• Complete makeover of existing pool, spa and deck from classic design to natural design. Sculpted stone fountains spill into the pool.
• New, hillside gardens with stone and boulder accents.
• New front and backyard gardens featuring low water, low maintenance and year round color-producing perennial plants.
• The house will be painted. It is white now.
• New perimeter fence and architectural gates.
• Golf tee
• New flagstone paving in garden areas.

Follow us in our progress and pick up some design tips and ideas for your yard.

If  you are in Los Angeles and would like us to design your yard, email me through the contact form on this web site.

See you soon!

Shirley Bovshow

 

Before- A small patch of grass and a lone palm tree- did someone run out of plants or ideas?

 

I’m not against front lawns per se, just uninspired designs like this one that are ultimately a waste of water and time to maintain.

My clients,  Joe and Randi Grinbaum felt the same way when they looked upon their  small patch of lawn and lone palm tree that comprised their front  yard.

 

Another issue I had with this yard was that it lacked a dedicated walkway to the front door.

Dodging parked cars is not my idea of good design, so,  I had a few design  issues to address and I was anxious to get to work!

After- Not only did the garden courtyard bring functionality and color to the yard, it also attracted hummingbirds, butterflies and the attention of passersby!

 

To remedy the problems, I removed all of the lawn and  designed a 4 -foot- wide flagstone walkway that lead through a  new fragrant Mediterranean-style garden.

It was amazing how much larger the space felt as a garden courtyard than as a lawn area.

 

 

 

The Grinbaum’s were amazed at the transformation and welcomed the fragrance  and colorful bouquets they were able to bring indoors from the garden.

If you are interested in seeing another one of my front yard gardens please read this post.

 

Before Photo

I had an instant design vision for this backyard the moment I saw it.

I envisioned a romantic gazebo in the corner, a new handcrafted wood fence, and a raised tumbled stone wall with a swath of Geranium incanum cascading over it.

A country garden retreat!

 

In a flash, it all came together in detail and just as quickly, the elements started to disappear as I spoke to my clients about the budget.

Board by board, stone by stone my lofty design was deconstructed and faded into the thin air whence it came from.

The only thing left was the geranium and my positive attitude.

 

“Great, I’ll just have to get creative with materials,” I thought.

Up to the challenge, I assured my clients that they would have the beautiful garden they always dreamed of and I would do it on their small budget.

Take a look at the results which they were delighted with:

 

After- English Garden by Shirley Bovshow

The concrete block wall had to stay, so I had the homeowners paint it themselves to save money on labor.

The cost of paint was a lot less than a new wood fence and the dark green color made it less obtrusive.

Instead of the shady gazebo, I opted for two Cassia leptophylla “Golden Wonder” trees to form a natural shade canopy and crown the sitting area with it’s golden yellow flowers in the summer.

 

 

After- New sitting area and raised stone planters.

I had a stacked stone wall built along the entire backyard, creating a second level for plants.

Instead of expensive natural stone, (like in my vision), we used recycled concrete for a fraction of the price without compromising on charm and good looks!

The broken concrete pieces were also used to build the small pad for the garden bench.

 

Before- Diagram your new path and garden beds to make sure you like the flow before digging in.

The side yard was used to house trash cans but my plan was to reclaim the space as an outdoor dining and barbecue area.

Whenever I see an unused area, my instincts always prompt me to investigate if the area can serve a function, instead of just, “stand there and look pretty.”

 

 

After- The plan comes together just as I imagined it.

The white arbor stands at the entrance of the new dining area and creates a romantic transition between the backyard and new outdoor dining room!

 

After- A second level in the garden adds depth and interest.

A variety of perennials soften the stone walls on the bottom and top levels.

The raised area near the dining room is planted with veggies and herbs for convenient access.

I’m a firm believer in year-round color through perennial plants that flower different times of the year.

I do use annuals in containers and focal areas, but I don’t rely on them to “carry” my gardens.

In this zone 20 garden in Los Angeles, I am fortunate to have the type of weather that supports a year-round garden.

 

 

After- Garden art is always a welcome feature in an English garden, as are cute little dogs!

The “workhorse” plants that I selected for this garden were chosen for their extended bloom time, low maintenance and low water needs.

Alas, Paradise has its shortcomings- a drought issue!

 

Trees

Cassia leptophylla- (yellow flowers)

Citrus trees- variety

 

Shrubs

Tibouchina urivellana “Princess tree”- (purple flowers)

Lavatera “Red Rum”

Rose Trees- (coral)

Iceberg roses (white)

English Roses-(whites, yellow, dark red)

“Golden Shower” climbing yellow rose

“Joseph’s Coat” climbing multi colored rose in apricot/pinks/yellow

Hardenbergia vine (lavender flowers) a good wisteria replacement

Hydrangeas (pink)

Argyranthemum (white)

Hebe (purple)

Polygala fruiticosa (fushia)

Bay Laurel

Bougainvillea tree (fushia)

Salvia chiapensis (red)

Lavender

Artemesia (silver)

Teucrium (blue)

Daylily (yellow, cranberry, apricot)

Gaura (pink and white)

Cuphea- (pink and white)

 

Ground Covers

Ornamental strawberry,Festuca, Erigeron “Santa Barbara daisy”, Rosemary, Scabiosa, Armaria, Huechera, Colombine

 

I invite you to visit my website to view other projects I have completed.