Re-design for front and side yards, low water and maintenance

11 years ago

My parents have not been able to take care of their home for a long time, Dad is now in assisted living and we (my sister and I) need to do something to make the house look attractive. It is on a corner lot. Currently there is just a dead lawn and some over grown bushes.

The architectural design of the house is "plain" at best and is the result of two additions without much care about how the exterior would look. It is a large wall that faces the street with oddly place windows.

My plan is to use landscaping to draw the eye to a place in front of the house. I can use small size trees. I don't want much grass. This is California (Sunset zone 22) and they are starting to ration water. I will not be living at this house so I want very low maintenance design. (we will hire a bi-weekly gardener visit)

My thoughts are...

1) broken pavement and low (strawberry?) ground cover in parkway. Must be low to allow a car door to open.

2) Taller plants near house, mixed, 3 to 5 masses of different textures

3) tree(s) at mid distance to side walk in line that make about 20 degree angle to sidewalk

4) low foot tall planting near sidewalk, not a hedge but a natural shape, 12" high at most.

5) I don't like formal designs but doubt I could pull off a totally natural looking design without it looking like just random weeds , semi formal not geometric is what I like.

One photo shows the front, the second is an aerial view (

taken at a time when we had a large roll-off dumpster in the front.)

As you ca see we have a lot of work to do.

BTW the fence at the far right is down. but something has to be back up

Featured Answer

Chris
Original Author

11 years ago

Sell the house because it is the wrong time to plant? No it will become rental property. Attractive houses rent for about $6K per month in this area so we have some budget to work with. If we were planning to sell I'd simply paint it inside and out then plant new sod and roses, put up a white picket fence and apply water until it was bright green not give a hoot about the water bill. But it needs to look good sooner not later

I don't understand about "not the right time" This is So. California and 5 miles to the ocean. The winter and summer temperatures are very close to each other and the rainfall is zero all year round. What's the difference about when to plant? Water is the problem and may get much worse.

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Comments (9)

TanCalGal
11 years ago
This is not a good time to plant anything in CA. I would do nothing to this property and sell the home when your Mom is finished living there.
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pcmom1
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Yes, we in CA need to get rid of those lawns. Hubby and I stopped watering last summer.

For yours, I see spraying the grass to be sure it stays dead, covering that with weed cloth, and then covering that with gravel for now. That will be a start and certainly easy care!

Then later, you can design and plan more interesting landscape with some low water plants.

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pcmom1
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
The above will see you through the summer, and give you time to plan. Then in the fall (best time to plant here) maybe take that corner by the drive for some lavender, succulents, bunch grass, etc.
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Photo above got cut off. Click on to see attractive setting area of gravel with pavers.
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pcmom1
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Do a search under photos, searching with "front boulders gravel". Many photos!
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TanCalGal
11 years ago
Chris: I live in Southern CA.

My comment "it is not the right time to plant anything" was referring to the expense of the water in Los Angeles and also the penalties for watering.

You did not say the house was going to be a rental.

I'd talk to a landscaper who can make the large corner yard attractive and water-wise (not an easy task).
Chris
Original Author
11 years ago
This is pretty much the plan. We are in the idea stage right now. The water situation, I think will get worse. So actually, I think we have more water NOW then we will have later. Yes, I think today is as good as it will ever get in terms of water

OK can anyone recommend a designer zip is 90045.
PRO
Red Berm
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Hi. I'm a designer in Los Angeles and do come out to sites to talk clients through the process of the install I have several projects on here that are drought tolerant and could give you some ideas. I work with contractors all over LA and have a preferred one for your area that I can introduce you to when you want to do the install. Feel free to give me a call if interested.

attached are links to some of the renderings and projects I have done for drought tolerant.
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pcmom1
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
It appears you have a slight slope. If budget allows, a low retaining wall would be nice, placed part way into the yard.

And if lots of rock isn't your thing, the ground can be covered with bark (we use cedar freeway bark in our yard). Doesn't appear so desert like.

Bunch grasses, Mexican Feather grass, etc. are very drought tolerant and beautiful. They sway in even a slight breeze, the movement is nice.

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