Design | Madrone Landscape

Embracing Spring: A Guide to Mediterranean-Inspired Landscapes

Apr 10, 2024

Bring the Mediterranean Magic to Your Central Coast Landscape This Spring!

Spring has sprung on the Central Coast, and with it comes the urge to refresh and revitalize your outdoor space. Here at Madrone Landscape, we understand your desire to create a beautiful and flourishing California haven.

Did you know that our region shares a unique climate with several other parts of the world? This “Mediterranean climate,” characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, is found in California, Central Chile, the Mediterranean Basin, South Africa’s Cape Region, and Southwestern Australia. This common thread opens a door to a world of stunning plant possibilities for your Central Coast garden.

Why Consider Mediterranean Plants?

Climate-Smart: Plants from these regions are naturally adapted to thrive in conditions similar to ours, requiring less maintenance and water.
Year-Round Beauty: Many Mediterranean plants boast vibrant flowers and attractive foliage, extending the visual interest of your landscape throughout the year.
Unique Selection: Explore a diverse range of plants beyond the typical California natives, adding a touch of the exotic to your garden.

5 Eye-Catching Mediterranean Plants for Your Spring Landscape

1. California Native Cornus sericea (Creek Dogwood)

Eye-catching Feature: Vibrant red stems that add winter interest.
Growth Habit: Deciduous shrub, reaching 8-12 feet tall and wide.
Blooms: Clusters of creamy white flowers in spring and summer.
Light Preference: Partial shade.
Water Needs: Moderate watering, especially during dry months.

2. Mediterranean Basin – Laurus nobilis (Sweet Bay)

Perfect For: An aromatic evergreen tree with culinary uses.
Growth Habit: Reaches 20-30 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
Blooms: Small yellow flowers in spring, followed by deep purple berries.
Deer Resistant? Yes!
Water Needs: Low water user once established.

3. South Africa – Aloe striata (Coral Aloe)

Standout Feature: Brilliant coral-pink to orange flowers in spring.
Growth Habit: Succulent with a 2-foot-wide rosette of broad, pale green leaves.
Light Preference: Full sun.
Water Needs: Minimal water required.
Attracts: Hummingbirds.

4. Central Chile – Maytenus boaria (Maytens Tree)

Unique Characteristic: Graceful weeping form with light green, evergreen foliage.
Growth Habit: Small tree reaching over 30 feet tall.
Blooms: Tiny, inconspicuous spring flowers.
Light and Water: Full sun and ample summer water.

5. Southwestern Australia – Grevillea ‘Canberra Gem’ (Spider Flower)

Multi-Functional: Provides beauty and acts as a barrier plant.
Growth Habit: Shrub reaching 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide.
Blooms: Red flower clusters starting in early spring and blooming intermittently.
Attracts: Butterflies and birds.
Water Needs: Occasional deep soakings, prefers good drainage.

Ready to Breathe Life into Your Landscape?

The experts at Madrone Landscape can help you design and create a flourishing California-Mediterranean paradise. Contact us today for a consultation and let’s transform your outdoor space into a stunning oasis! Email [email protected] or call (805) 466-6263.

Our Favorite Winter-hardy Plants

Jan 20, 2024

Four Winter-hardy Plants for your California Central Coast Landscape

Each native region has unique and beautiful seasonal cycles, with plants that flourish in the cold of winter as others shrink back. These naturally winter-hardy plants keep the surrounding nature looking full and alive. On top of that, they sustain the local fauna, protect the soil, and assist with the overall health of the local region.

As such, it is important to plan each landscape for a full year’s worth of seasons—with the plants that have adjusted to the climate of the region precisely. Native planting is rewarding, colorful, and much easier than trying to support plants not built to weather your region (or worse, taming an invasive plant that weathers the region a little too well). If your landscape doesn’t already account for all four seasons, there’s always time to add them in.

Here are four of our favorite winter plants for California’s central coast:

Nandina “Fire Power”

Nandina is a vibrant evergreen shrub that provides color year-round. In the warmer months, they sport variegated yellows and greens. As autumn catches on and the weather becomes cooler, they take on their fiery red.

A form of bamboo, they thrive on very little care and require no pruning. Once established, they are drought-tolerant as well. As a dwarf cultivar of the heavenly bamboo, its low shrubbery is excellent for small gardens or ground cover.

It should be noted that this plant is toxic to pets.

Arctostaphylos “Howard McMinn”

Arctostaphylos is a low-maintenance, low water-use manzanita shrub. Adapted to drought conditions in the summer, they hold their evergreen leaves perpendicular to the sun to avoid water-loss. Manzanitas are striking year-round thanks to their gorgeous red bark and those peculiar evergreen leaves. In the winter, they show dainty winter blooms that bring a soft delight to the season.

A fruiting shrub, their dry, apple-like fruits are edible to animals, and they are solely pollinated by native bees, supporting the native fauna. The European honey bee is not adapted to pollinate them. Each flower requires “sonification” for its fine pollen to be released from its bell-like flowers. Luckily, the native bees need them too.

Sempervivum “Hens and Chicks”

Sempervivum is a cold-hardy succulent that comes in a variety of colors and can be planted in rocky places with very little soil. It is deer-resistant and an attractant for bees and butterflies when it puts out its rare flowers—with them, though the “hen” dies after flowering, its “chicks” will continue.

These plants prefer cool nights and cold-dormant seasons, both frost-hardy and adapted to flourish in soils and conditions where most plants would die. They multiply plentifully when planted in a spot they love, and their texture and colored trim bring year-long delight.

Combined with their drought-tolerance, they’re perfect for the California Central Coast (and you’ve probably seen them around!). We love the look it creates when you stick them in cracks and crevices of stone walls or walkways.

Rosmarinus officinalis “Irene”

Trailing Rosemary, like manzanitas, is low-maintenance and low water use. When planted on top of retaining walls and allowed to drape over, they add drama to your garden. Their scent and seasonal flowers give them an added edge over some of the other trailing plant materials.

These plants flower in the winter and spring, lending their soft, pale blue or white blossoms to the landscape. It is a natural insect repellent to mosquitoes and other insectoid pests while being a strong attractant for a variety of pollinators. Because of these two factors, it is considered an ideal companion plant. It supports other flowering plants during the winter and acts as a guard to prevent more vulnerable flora and seedlings from cabbage loopers, carrot flies, snails, and more.

A flourishing, sustainable landscape takes into account diverse, eco-friendly flora that support and play well with each other. With native palettes, you know the landscape will be healthy, thriving, and contributing to the surrounding wildlife. Everything flourishes. In Central Coast California, native plants are sustainable, adapted to low-water conditions that mean less water waste and lower utility costs, and easy to care for. They are built to thrive in their climate conditions.

Combined with sustainable planting and maintenance, such as mulching, building with recycled materials, and more, a seasons-balanced landscape will ask very little from you or its surroundings—and give much, bringing joy year-round.

Plan and make space for winter-hardy plants to reap the endless benefits of your native environment.

Interested in a winter garden landscape design? Contact our landscape designers at [email protected] or (805) 466-6263.

Vibrant Autumn Landscapes in California’s Central Coast

Nov 6, 2023

Autumn Brilliance: Elevate Your Central Coast Landscape with Seasonal Color

Embrace the cooler season on the Central Coast with a vibrant autumn landscape. The shift to fall brings a flourish of foliage that turns your garden into a canvas of warm colors. Madrone Landscape specializes in plants that promise a vivid display as the temperatures drop. Let’s explore our top picks that guarantee a vibrant autumn landscape.

Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)

Thriving in sunny spots, the Chinese Pistache shines with drought-resistant qualities. As temperatures dip, its foliage erupts into a fiery blend of orange and red hues. The tree’s October berries are a gift to the local wildlife, while its balanced, symmetrical form makes for an exquisite focal point in any garden.

Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba “Autumn Gold”)

With fan-shaped leaves that turn a luminous yellow, the Ginkgo biloba “Autumn Gold” becomes the highlight of a vibrant autumn landscape. This tree’s golden foliage creates a stunning contrast, especially when paired with the fiery backdrop of other autumnal shades.

Bloody Geranium (Geranium sanguineum)

Beyond its vibrant magenta blooms in the warmer months, the Bloody Geranium’s foliage takes on a crimson coloration in fall, living up to its name. Its delightful leaf shape offers a bushy accent or a sprawling ground cover that keeps your garden lively through the seasons.

Golden Stonecrop (Sedum reflexum “Angelina”)

This resilient succulent maintains a sunny disposition year-round, which intensifies into a rich gold with the chill of fall. Ideal for rocky soils, Golden Stonecrop is a fuss-free choice that keeps gardens bright and weed-free.

Coral Bark Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum “Sango Kaku”)

A twist on the beloved Japanese Maple, the ‘Sango Kaku’ variety captivates with its seasonal transformation. Lime-green leaves yield to golden tones and fall away to unveil a stunning red bark, providing a dramatic backdrop throughout the colder months.

Ready to elevate your landscape with these autumnal beauties? Reach out to our design team at Madrone Landscape at [email protected] or call us at (805) 466-6263 for a consultation. Transform your space into a seasonal spectacle.

On the Boards: Toad Creek Terrace Multifamily Development

Oct 18, 2023

Landscape Design in Templeton, CA

Nestled on the scenic slopes above Toad Creek in Templeton, CA, Toad Creek Terrace is a multi-family residential project that effortlessly marries cutting-edge design with environmental consciousness. Our mission at Madrone Landscape was to provide a landscape design that not only complements the native surroundings and also meets state water-use guidelines.

Water-Smart Design

Understanding California’s water conservation landscape, our irrigation strategy for Toad Creek Terrace was meticulously crafted to be efficient. We utilized advanced calculations to create an irrigation system that meets or even exceeds state regulations, without sacrificing the integrity of the design.

Harmonizing with Nature

Our planting plan for Toad Creek Terrace was created with an awareness of the project’s unique geographical settings. To harmonize with the local flora, especially the native oak trees, we integrated a palette of native and Mediterranean plants. This allows us to offer a modern aesthetic while preserving the natural feel of the surrounding area.

Toad Creek Terrace stands as a compelling example of how innovative design can be married with environmental consciousness. We are delighted with the final outcome—a sustainable, low-maintenance landscape that resonates with both residents and the natural surroundings.

If you’re a residential or commercial property owner in the California Central Coast looking to elevate your outdoor spaces, we at Madrone Landscape are here to bring your vision to life. Don’t hesitate to contact us for any landscaping services at [email protected] or give us a call at (805) 466-6263.

On the Boards: Spotlight on San Miguel Apartments Landscape Design

Oct 18, 2023

An Ambitious Project with a Historic Connection

Situated near the iconic San Miguel Mission, the design of San Miguel Apartments incorporates the timeless California Mission style. Our aim was to create an environment that not only complements the architectural elements of the apartments but also pays homage to the mission and the surrounding community.

Water-Efficient Irrigation

Given California’s water conservation requirements, our irrigation plan was crafted meticulously to be water efficient. Our experts used smart water calculations to meet or exceed state guidelines without compromising the beauty of the landscape.

Embracing the Mission

Our planting plan was designed to align with the mission style of the proposed apartment buildings. We incorporated native plants and traditional elements to create a harmonious blend of old and new.

Safety for Residents

In any landscaping project, safety is paramount. For San Miguel Apartments, the challenge was to design a planting plan that considers the safety of the residents while still maintaining aesthetic integrity. Specifically, we focused on avoiding dense plantings that could potentially block visibility or encourage loitering. Our design team conducted multiple revisions to ensure that the landscape will be both beautiful and secure.

The San Miguel Apartments project presents a unique intersection of history, community, and modern landscape design. We are currently in the design phase and are excited about bringing this vision to life. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to make progress on this incredible project. If you’re a homeowner or business in the California Central Coast area interested in landscaping services, we invite you to get in touch with us at Madrone Landscape.

If you’re a homeowner or business in the California Central Coast area interested in transforming your landscape, Madrone Landscape is here to make your vision a reality. Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or (805) 466-6263 for all your landscaping needs.

Your Ideal Landscape: A Step-by-Step Guide

Sep 8, 2023

Plants breathe life into gardens, offering seasonal dynamism. During the spring, radiant flowers blossom, and deciduous trees flaunt lush foliage, only to become stark in winter. This landscape design guide will help you factor in these seasonal shifts for a well-thought-out strategy that beautifully balances the ever-changing nature of plant life.

However, lasting elements like hardscape materials (think concrete, stone), outdoor furniture, pergolas, fire pits, and water features provide a constant backdrop. When harmonized with seasonal plantings, these elements impart a unique ambiance throughout the year.

Wondering how to transition from a bland lawn with deteriorating surroundings to a dream garden space? This landscape design guide will help you.

The initial steps are straightforward; but as you proceed, expertise in design becomes essential. A landscape designer will greatly benefit from your preliminary research and ideas. Investing time in understanding and pinpointing your preferred landscaping styles will refine your design aspirations.

Discover Local Landscaping Styles

Embark on a neighborhood stroll. Bring along a companion to evaluate various landscape styles. Discuss the highs and lows of each design, noting standout plants and materials. Equip yourself with a notebook for jotting points and a smartphone for capturing images. Don’t restrict your exploration to just your immediate neighborhood. Venture further to discover unique architectural and landscape inspirations.

Madrone North County Native Natural Landscape

Gather Digital Inspiration

Following your local exploration, dive into the vast digital world. Platforms like Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram, and HGTV are treasure troves for landscaping ideas. Tailor your online search for region-specific inspirations like California or Mediterranean landscapes, emphasizing drought-resistant or native plants. Familiarize yourself with terms like “xeric” or “ornamental grass” to better communicate with industry professionals.

Craft a Materials Palette

With a collection of inspiration at hand, start categorizing. Separate your finds into:

Character: Character photos contain a mix of elements, including furniture, architecture, vegetation, and landscape. These images are often broad angles and represent a particular style or sense of place.

Hardscape: Hardscape is the structure and backbone of a site—walls, flatwork, fountains, walkways, boulders, rock mulch—anything that is installed once and stays put. Hardscape elements are typically the biggest-ticket items, consistent throughout all seasons, and relate closely to building layout and materials.

Plant Palette: Plants breathe life into a space—yet come with a unique set of opportunities and strengths; not the least of which is need for the proper combination of sun, soil, and water. Taking plant inspiration from the neighborhood is often one of the best ways to find climate-appropriate plant selections. Even so, the microclimates within your property (particularly sun and wind exposure) may differ and affect plant viability. A palette based on the desired look can be combined with some horticultural know-how to develop a specific plant list.

Transition to Professional Collaboration

Having established your materials palette, you’ve laid a solid foundation for your landscape’s transformation. This groundwork has set the stage for the next pivotal phase. While it’s empowering to spearhead the initial steps on your own, partnering with a professional will ensure the fruition of your vision. From this point on, the subsequent steps will be a collaborative effort, where you and the landscape expert work hand in hand. Their expertise will be invaluable in bringing your landscaping dream to life, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality.

Madrone Landscape Design Concept Drawing Plan

Develop a Conceptual Plan

Begin the design phase with a precise base map. This should encompass utility locations, existing greenery, and structural details. If unsure, consider hiring expert help. Concept plans broadly represent proposed changes, highlighting primary features.

Sketch Ground-Level Views

Vignettes or sketched views offer a ground-level perspective of your landscape. They provide a tangible feel of the space, supplementing your concept plan. Employ tools like Adobe Photoshop for digital sketches or stick to hand-drawn illustrations.

Delve into 3D Modeling

3D modeling tools, such as Google Sketchup, can elevate your design visualization. With an accurate base map, these tools help in plotting out your envisioned space in three dimensions.

Bring Your Design to Life with Rendering

Photorealistic rendering tools like Lumion offer a tangible glimpse of the potential landscape. By blending 3D models with realistic textures and elements, you get a vivid visualization of your dream garden.

Not everyone might find all steps achievable. But even accomplishing the initial stages can significantly assist landscape designers in realizing your dream. From plan drawings to advanced visualization tools, every stage plays a crucial role in materializing the perfect landscape for you.

Contact Us for an Ideal Landscape

Ready to bring your landscaping vision to life? Connect with our landscape design team today and let’s craft your dream garden together! Reach out at [email protected] or call (805) 466-6263.

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