Here is an arial look at this garden: https://vimeo.com/106242598

Remaking this front slope gave a lift in energy to the residents and to the many people in the neighborhood passing by on their way to the hip and fun Sunset Junction. We hauled off 3 containers of soil and another with the RR ties and debris before getting to the business of containerizing the soil in new ways. We created swales to help hold water on the slope and several dry wells. Walks along the Eaton Canyon Wash off the Mount Wilson Toll Road, and the wet stream further up the canyon inspired deep states of quiet connection and a correlation to the streamscape we were building at the time. Los Angeles is a city with extraordinary opportunities to easily visit the mountains or the beach. Further nature inspiration was gained for our work from an outing to El Matador Beach where colorful plants were juxtaposed with the neutral tones of the soils and sand. Colorful Caesalpinia was chosen to screen the unsightly under deck view from the street. A break between the staggered wood retaining walls allows for a small delicate path from the upper dry stream to the lower stream area. Another client donated some of his Aloe and the neighbor next door donated the Euphorbia ammak. We also scavenged a few plants from the rear garden to add interest to the special ordered plant palette. As we neared completion we grabbed some chairs from the back to make a sitting spot under the new Palo Verde. The new garden needed a place to enjoy the stream scape and meditate upon the juncture of a peaceful natural garden habitat set in the exciting upbeat energy of this special Silverlake neighborhood. (Recently called the most hip spot in the nation! !!! Find this on KCRW's Which Way L.A. episode called Battle for 'The Heart' of Silverlake.)