I like the warm tones with the dark green .... definitely different than the New England scene.

I like the way the odd yellowish concrete brings out both the yellow and the lighter green tones in the foliage and flowers.

Different from New England, huh? I thought I was channeling some tropical design that would look at home in Caracas, Venezuela, where my client was born, but he said that it didn't have any relationship to gardens he remembered back home either. The colors of the hardscape were definitely meant to pop/contrast with the plantings, and the clear California light really heightens color contrasts. The concrete color is a semitransparent concrete stain that is painted on after the concrete cures. Overall, I would say that the garden combines Mediterranean garden principles with some subtropical/Canary Island touches. The plant combinations can really only be combined this way in a few places around the world, but definitely not the same as in a USDA zone 10a in Florida, or even in Los Angeles.

I know this style wouldn't really fit back east, but being on the Pacific Rim, we don't have to fantasize about creating gardens that look similar to those in Auckland, New Zealand, Sydney, Australia, or Ubud, Bali.

Bahia,

Your client's garden is perfection, a gem. Do hope the client really enjoys it.

This is my favorite of the two presented, something about the progression of the steps and levels is very appealing. The colored concrete, the materials, the massed plants and contrasting textures really grab me.

Been trying to contact you without success and gave up.