Located on a steep hill above downtown Ventura, this modern Spanish house features panoramic views of town with the ocean and Channel Islands beyond. While the views are amazing from a large front deck, the steep slope presented some constraints on the landscape design. Although the property is about a third-of-an-acre, the only useable and open garden space is a small (about 500 square feet) area to the West of the house. The house sits at the back of the property, and another steep hill on the neighboring property behind is held back by a tall retaining wall, leaving just enough room for a narrow, hardscaped patio in the back yard. Bright plantings along the back of the property delineate the home from the neighboring property, and we chose plantings to help stabilize the soil and further develop the Spanish garden look while creating a lush, inviting feel. Additionally, we added 52 pieces of pottery to soften and add interest to the back garden and patio areas. Succulents, herbs, and California natives fill the pottery along with bright, sweet-smelling, tropical-looking, and climate-appropriate plants. Slope stabilization was paramount for the front hill. Beyond that, finding plants that would thrive on the steep slope was the next obstacle. Finally, the aesthetics could be addressed, and we worked to find plants that meshed with the architecture—blending plants with white and orange to play off the red-tiled roofs and white-plastered walls that are emblematic of the Spanish style of this house as well as the predominate style of the neighborhood. The flattish area to the West was designed with the idea of creating a contemporary take on the parterre garden. Reminiscent of Mediterranean gardens, this vegetable and herb garden substitutes formal hedges with formal Corten steel planters to honor the modern Spanish architecture of the house. The citrus, herbs, and vegetables serve the foodie clients well.

pair of cement lion wall fountains were the perfect visual to flank the entry and plant with baby succulents and string of pearls.
Photo of a small mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone and stone fence landscaping in San Diego for summer.

romantically planted glazed pot in the garden
Design ideas for a small mediterranean full sun backyard stone and stone fence formal garden in San Diego for spring.

This is an example of a mediterranean landscaping in Los Angeles.

Malibu tile clad Spanish courtyard with newly planted clay pots from Mexico with mother-in-laws-tongue, donkey tails, olive trees, Cala lilies, succulents, bougainvillea and perennials.

Malibu tile clad Spanish courtyard with newly planted clay pots from Mexico with olive trees, Cala lilies, succulents and perennials.
Mid-sized tuscan courtyard tile patio container garden photo in Los Angeles with no cover

This gorgeous Spanish revival home required new stucco plaster, paint, iron fencing, completely new landscaping, aromatic and romantic garden and terrace furnishings perfect for entertaining and gazing the San Diego city line view.

This gorgeous Spanish revival home required new stucco plaster, paint, iron fencing, completely new landscaping, aromatic and romantic garden and terrace furnishings perfect for entertaining and gazing the San Diego city line view.

This gorgeous Spanish revival home required new stucco plaster, paint, iron fencing, completely new landscaping, aromatic and romantic garden and terrace furnishings perfect for entertaining and gazing the San Diego city line view.

San Antonio Board of Realtors/ Sunny Harris
Example of a small tuscan backyard patio container garden design in Austin with decking and no cover

Modern Spanish, wrought Iron Raining, Potted plants, Container garden, Mahogany Stone, Courtyard, Wonderfull Container Planting, Award Winning Landscape Lighting

Wonderfull Container Planting, Award Winning Landscape Lighting
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and partial sun courtyard landscaping in San Francisco for spring.

Eggs and roses from the walled garden and chicken coop on this self-contained Spanish Compound
Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, concrete countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

This gorgeous Spanish revival home required new stucco plaster, paint, iron fencing, completely new landscaping, aromatic and romantic garden and terrace furnishings perfect for entertaining and gazing the San Diego city line view.

Eggs and roses from the walled garden and chicken coop on this self-contained Spanish Compound
Transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, concrete countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

This gorgeous Spanish revival home required new stucco plaster, paint, iron fencing, completely new landscaping, aromatic and romantic garden and terrace furnishings perfect for entertaining and gazing the San Diego city line view.

Eggs and roses from the walled garden and chicken coop on this self-contained Spanish Compound
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, concrete countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, raised-panel cabinets and an island

This gorgeous Spanish revival home required new stucco plaster, paint, iron fencing, completely new landscaping, aromatic and romantic garden and terrace furnishings perfect for entertaining and gazing the San Diego city line view.

Malibu tile clad Spanish courtyard with newly planted clay pots from Mexico with mother-in-laws-tongue, donkey tails, olive trees, Cala lilies, succulents and perennials.