California Landscape Design

Website:
Our A/S Task Force started as an exciting exercise in herding cats: We generated a lot of ideas (we’re designers after all) but needed organization to implement them. We also wanted to be able to share those ideas with all our California members. The obvious choice was to use our existing APLD California Chapter website. We have SO many ideas that we quickly noticed the existing A/S website page would not accommodate them – hence a tiny Website Committee was formed. We have lofty visions… 

We’re rebuilding the A/S page with the heading of Advocacy as the main page. Subheadings that align with what we advocate for, as described above, will be:

LEGISLATION — EDUCATION — ENVIRONMENT — DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) — OUTREACH

Our Website Committee’s goal is to have a working version for you to use before the end of this year. We sincerely hope our website becomes a regular landing place and valuable resource for our members.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
The Bay Area District of APLD CA formed its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee in July 2020, following the social justice uprisings around the country. As we reflected on this watershed moment, it became overwhelmingly clear to us that we cannot effectively advocate for a sustainable future without including social justice in that advocacy. 

Our goal is for the APLD to reflect more truly the world around us: a multicultural world rich with diverse identities and experiences. We will provide APLD members with educational resources and practical tools to deepen their understanding of equity and justice issues within our profession, enabling members to incorporate DEI work into their own practices. 

The committee is looking forward to award-winning landscape designer and horticulturist, Wambui Ippolito, lecturing on historical and present-day immigrant influences in American landscapes, on July 7th at 3 p.m. Register here.

by Jodie Cook, Member of the FireScaping Committee

Firescape Education
Increasing fire danger throughout the state has made it more urgent that California’s design professionals receive comprehensive, standardized training in FireScaping the residential landscape. To fulfill this need, the A/S Task Force has convened a FireScaping Committee charged with researching and developing a science-based curriculum to make designing at-risk home landscapes both fire resistant and biodiverse. 

“Ecologically rich” and “fire-resistant” are not mutually exclusive terms.  While the task force is now in its early stages, our goal is to produce a program that design professionals, armed with vetted information, can use to create landscapes that protect homes while enhancing the wonderful biodiversity of our unique state.

by Karen Hunt and Lori Cox, Co-chairs of the Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet Committee

Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet:
In the midst of the Pandemic, the APLD Sustainability Committee launched the first phase of its "Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet" Initiative in March. The endgame is a major reach for us: the goal is to make a tangible difference in the reduction of plant pots made from virgin plastic and to yield more pots that are plantable. We will know we have made that difference when all of us in the Green Industry (in particular landscape designers, architects, contractors, and gardeners) can ask for and receive more sustainable pots that meet our performance expectations, and that those pots are readily available, affordable, and the norm. 

This is a major undertaking for APLD, but one that we think we can accomplish. We also know that we are playing "the long game," as they say.  Its success will hinge on many, many challenging activities that will take all of our Chapter’s members to help with, starting with expanding the sign-ups to the coalition and eventually including forming partnerships with dozens and dozens of companies, organizations, associations, and key governmental departments across the United States. Please begin learning about APLD's most ambitious program to date by clicking here.

Legislation:
The Legislation Committee of the Task Force has been tracking about a dozen bills as they go through the California State legislative process this year. The process has been pretty interesting as we are guided by EEC (Environmental & Energy Consulting), so we are not just floundering on our own, trying to figure out what’s what. As a committee, we started out with a list of keywords to narrow the field and then picked the bills that were of the most interest to us. The bills we chose are mostly dealing with environmental issues. EEC sends us periodic updates, in the form of a matrix, so we can see the progress of the bills as they pass through different houses and committees. We have the option to lend our support to these bills if we so desire. The goals of this exercise are to become more familiar with our legislative process, foster alliances, and to create visibility of APLD as a leader in promoting environmental issues. Always, we are on the lookout for any bills that might affect our right to practice…eyes open and ears to the ground!

“Years ago, I wondered why I’d want to pay to be an APLD member. What did APLD have to offer me? Aside from the camaraderie (which, actually, is a big deal), and the idea-sharing (another big deal), for me the PRIMARY reason for becoming a member was retaining a landscape designer’s Right to Practice. 

I already was paying for a business license, paying my taxes to the state, and even buying business insurance. I’m thinking: I’m running a legitimate business, right? And my clients want my services. And I’m pretty well educated at what I do. So, how would I feel if the state dropped in to tell me I could no longer make money from providing services that I see are needed and wanted?

The Legislative Committee is coming up with ways to keep our identity – our Right to Practice.”

—Marcia Jimenez Scott, Vice-President Sacramento District, Legislation Committee

Here’s an example analysis of a bill that’s being tracked: The wheels of government turn ever so slowly towards making change for the better. The environmental justice planning requirements bill SB 499 is amending a section of the government code to put more teeth into enforcing land uses that do not impact the health of disadvantaged communities and do not degrade the local area…water, air, soil. A hearing was scheduled for April 8 and was cancelled by the author Senator Connie Levya.

On the MWELO front, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has reconvened the Landscape Stakeholders Advisory Group (LSAG). The Governor's Water Resilience Portfolio (WRP) identified simplifying MWELO as a priority task. AB 2515 gives DWR direction to update MWELO in synch with CA Building Standards (CALGreen). To that end, LSAG members are asked to think about how DWR would simplify MWELO, without weakening the standards, to make it more effective. If you’d like to join the LSAG contact Julie Saare-Edmonds at Landscape@water.ca.gov.

As you can tell, the A/S Task Force is quite active, and it’s a great group! Do you have an interest in participating on one of the committees? Please contact me at landscapeliaisons@gmail.com.

—Cheryl Buckwalter
APLD CA Chapter & Sacramento District Chair
Advocacy & Sustainability Committee

My teacher, employer, and mentor Edward Janelli used to say trees and grades were the two most important parts of a designed landscape. I agree with Edward. In their most primary state landscapes have two shapes: vertical and horizontal. Trees represent the vertical realm, and among the numerous things they do for a design, they establish spatial definition. The ground represents the horizontal realm, and is basically the floor upon which everything in a design comes to rest. Once trees and grades come into harmony with one another, a substantial part of a design is accomplished.   

Edward also used to say that the best grading design is the one that you’re not even aware of. What I took him to mean was that good grading design was so integrated with all the other parts of a project, that it didn’t stand out as an entity in and of itself. 

In this light, here are some ways that I’ve approached grading, and some suggestions for how you might also do so:

• when you start a project, get as much information about the lay of the land as you can. Ideally you’ll want to shoot elevations with a zip level, or have someone do it for you, and create a contour map. Without this information it’s going to be very difficult to assess drainage, estimate cut and fill quantities, calculate wall heights and stair layouts, and much more. 

• always pay attention to how water moves, and grade according. Water movement can make or break a design, and points to the need for a contour map or at least key spot elevations to determine high and low points. You can predict water movement pretty well with a contour map: just draw arrows perpendicular to the lines all over the map; where the arrows point is where the water wants to go. 

• color your topo map according to steepness of slope. A colored may will allow you to assess site potential quickly. Here how I do it (see accompanying diagram above):

Green: flat or nearly so (1-5%; conducive to gatherings, work areas)
Yellow: gentle (5-15%; a few stairs, walls probably not necessary)
Orange: moderate (15-33%; stairs, low-medium walls, rising installation costs)
Red: steep (33%+; high walls, erosion, high installation costs)
Blue: depression (rain garden, pond, wind shelter)

Hillside gardens can be complicated for a variety of reasons.  A lot of the time they are inaccessible, yet offer the opportunity for a beautiful habitat garden from which ALL life can benefit. The most important prerequisite for a successful hillside garden is Patience! Patience in the process from the conception, to installation, then to maturation. Fortunately, we have been blessed with such Clients, and the resulting gardens are providing much joy year round.

If you have hillside situation you most likely live in the ECOTONE. I love this word so much! An ecotone is a region of transition between two biological communities. Much like a forest may meet a meadow, your hillside is likely part of a mountain range, or “wild” area that meets your outdoor living spaces. Alternatively, it may be that your home is part of a constructed community, and your hillside is a product of the grading process. Either way, your hillside provides an opportunity and a challenge.

Common Hillside Issues:

• Erosion Control

• Drainage

• Wildlife

• Specialized Plant Selection

• Proper Plant Establishment

• Sun/Shade Exposure

A hillside garden is an opportunity for a tapestry-esque, mosaic approach. Looking to patterns in nature as a guide, paired with a blend of multiple shrubs suited for sloped conditions is most effective for success. Climate-appropriate and native shrubs carry less water weight than succulents and can root themselves more deeply for stabilization and drought tolerance. Grasses and perennials can be used as well, provided that they are suited for the site conditions and compatible with a variety of shrub roots.

Polyculture is the key. When selecting plants, ALWAYS consider habitat and biodiversity. Pollinators and other non-human being numbers are dwindling at an alarming rate. Let’s re-imagine our landscapes to be about more than us. Native plants are the first line of defense in loss of habitat and biodiversity.

The slope was covered with overgrown shrubs and trees. The biggest challenge was the hill was mostly rock, making it impractical to do much regrading. It was critical to work with the existing contours of the land. Yet, the client wanted usable space at the top of the slope, providing views of Oakland on the other side of the San Francisco Bay. In addition, the back of the property was the only means for the neighbor to bring trash cans out for pick-up or access their own yard. So, there were many practical considerations in programming the site. 

A preliminary evaluation of the property found there had an eight-foot change in elevation from the sliding glass doors of the townhome to the base of the mature Cedar tree.

Half of the change in elevation was enabled with a four-foot wood retaining wall. The client did not like how much usable space was consumed with the old wood steps. The staircase was anti-climactic, leading people to a dry, overgrown hillside.  

It was more like an overgrown park than a usable back yard. The thick shrubs gave clues as to what might be found below. The soil was dry and compacted.

To create usable space on the upper tier, a combination of hardscape and synthetic lawn were agreed upon with the client. Because of the radical change from what they saw every day, 3D renderings helped them see and understand the transformation.

The finished project respected the original wood retaining wall, but moved the steps to an area of the yard that provided more room for a lower patio.

The Cedar tree plays a prominent role in the design, casting a wide shadow over the synethetic lawn on the upper terrace.

The transition from lower patio to upper terrace took advantage of the existing slope, and the path provided an opportunity for plantings that would thrive in the underlying soil conditions. 

The soil was amended and appropriate irrigation was introduced for draught-tolerant plants. 

In the rear, the existing cinderblock wall was painted a deep blue and trellises were built to allow Star Jasmine to grow over time.

Rubus pentalobus (calycinoides), Bramble

An evergreen shrub that forms a slowly creeping, prostrate ground cover. Foliage is glossy and deep green, partially turning rusty-maroon in cool weather. Small leaves are rounded, lobed, and crinkled. Small, white, spring-summer flowers are followed by edible orange berries that ripen in fall.

Photo and description courtesy of Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery.

Ceanothus gloriosus ‘Anchor Bay’, ANCHOR BAY CALIFORNIA LILAC

A coastal California evergreen shrub with fragrant flower clusters that form a sea of deep blue in spring. Foliage is holly-like and dark green. Natural growth habit is low and spreading. Does well on slopes. Beneficial to pollinators and wildlife.

Photo and description courtesy of Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery.

Ceanothus gloriosus ‘Hearth’s Desire' MOUNTAIN WILD LILAC

Evergreen groundcover. California native. Fast growth. Small, toothed leaves that are tinged with bronze. Small lavender blue flowers bloom in the spring. Low water needs once established.

Photo and description courtesy of Urban Tree Farm.

Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Huntington Carpet’, HUNTINGTON CARPET ROSEMARY

An evergreen shrub that forms a dense, cascading ground cover. Dark green, needle-like leaves are aromatic and edible. Tiny, light blue flowers dot the foliage in spring and summer. Attracts bees and other pollinators.  Does not become woody like R. 'Prostratus'.

Photo and description courtesy of Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery.

Coleonema pulchrum ’Sunset Gold’, GOLDEN BREATH OF HEAVEN

An airy, pleasantly fragrant evergreen shrub. Branches are flimsy and clothed in fine, needle-like leaves. Dainty pinkish flowers dot the bright golden green foliage. Attracts bees and other pollinators.

Photo and description courtesy of Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery.

Ceanothus concha, CONCHA CALIFORNIA LILAC

A coastal California evergreen shrub with fragrant flower clusters, which form a sea of dark blue in spring. Foliage is leathery, 1-inch long, and dark green. Natural growth habit is upright and adaptable with pruning. Does well on slopes. Beneficial to pollinators and wildlife.

PHOTO: Francesca Corra.
DESCRIPTION: Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery.

Fremontodendron - any kind! FLANNEL BUSH

A fast-growing evergreen shrub with an upright to arching form. Signature spring-summer blooms profusely cover the foliage. Cup-shaped flowers are bright yellow with red-orange tints, followed by hairy capsule fruits. Attracts many pollinators. Lobed leaves are dark gray-green above and as felty as flannel below. Native to California. Protect from wind. Parts of the plant cause skin and eye irritation.

PHOTO: Francesca Corra.
DESCRIPTION: Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery. 

Artemisia tridentata BIG SAGEBRUSH

This dense, semi-evergreen shrub ranges in height, depending on the amount of animal grazing and available moisture. The hairy, silver-gray leaves are narrow and wedge-shaped, with 3 to 5 teeth at the tip. The new growth is most attractive, so for a more refined look, prune out old stems periodically. The clusters of tiny pale yellow flowers are fairly inconspicuous. Use big sagebrush in full sun and well-drained soil, and be careful not to over water.

PHOTO: Francesca Corra.
DESCRIPTION: Mountain States Wholesale Nursery.

Eriogonum giganteum, ST. CATHERINE’S LACE

Eriogonum giganteum grows to 4’ tall x 5’ wide with attractive wooly, gray, oval leaves. It is the largest of the Buckwheats. It’s also one of the most popular nectar sources for many butterflies, especially the California Blues & Hairstreaks. The profuse clusters of small white flowers start blooming  in April and continue until Fall, when the flowers age to a rusty color. St. Catherine’s Lace requires no summer water once established & tolerates clay, though it thrives best in well-drained soil.

PHOTO: Francesca Corra.
DESCRIPTION: The Watershed Nursery.

Poa colensoi BLUE TUSSOCK

We love to use deep rooted grasses. One of our new favorites is Poa colensoi. We were introduced to this grass by the grass guru John Greenlee and we have successfully tested it in our lab garden in Topanga. It is a beautiful feathery grass with a blue green cast. It not only holds the slope but will also soften the angle of a steep slope.

Photo courtesy of Emerisa Gardens.

Symphoricarpos albus, COMMON SNOWBERRY

My go-to for slope stabilization in shade and/or stream banks is Symphoricarpos albus.