Starting Big

 Weeping Atlas Cedar
Planet Horticulture uses plants of all sizes from 2" liners to amazing specimen trees. In this West Sonoma County garden we planted a uniquely trained 80 year old weeping Atlas cedar. A slow growing form of a drought tolerant North African native, this tree provide a powerful focal point and screening for the front yard of this delightful 19th century farm house.  Once it was installed, it seemed like it had been part of the original landscape.




  Gudalupe Island Palm
Brahea edulis, the Guadalupe Island palm, a rare endemic native of islands off the coast of northern Baja Mexico is very slow growing in cultivation and is also drought tolerant and among the hardiest of palms.  This specimen was estimated to be more than 40 years old and helped to create an instant oasis effect in this wine country poolside garden.



Ancient Olive
 
The clients of this newly built modern home in the Oakland Hills wanted to start the landscape with as many mature trees as possible. We chose this special ancient olive as a focal point for the main entry courtyard. This gnarly old tree gave the house a more human scale making it seem more at home in the landscape.

A Welcoming Cottage Garden


A diverse planting of succulents, shrubs, palms, perennials and annuals all attractively arranged for a long season of interest.


Before                                                         After








The driveway approach to this cottage in the foothills above Calistoga in the Napa Valley now has a welcoming garden of diverse heat-tolerant, low water, all season plants. This garden border invites lingering and perusal of the plants, both as individuals and for their combinations. The stairway seen in the Before image is just beyond the gray shrub on the right.