Madrone created a common area with native plants, pathways, and multiple options for seating for this senior living retirement community. Madrone also installed a custom timber pedestrian bridge and a timber patio pergola to enhance usability and a sense of place within the community.
Situated on a corner near the entrance to a planned development in Atascadero, homeowners sought both privacy and a multi-use entertainment space planted with a low-maintenance, native palette. Live-ability was their primary focus, seeking sensible choices for a landscape that would function well for their family and lifestyle. The finished project was formed from a strong vision and a willingness to wait for the most ideal amenities to be developed, resulting in a balanced and precise personal oasis.
A mortarless retaining wall, wide sidewalk of permeable pavers, and low stucco wall shield an inviting yet private front patio from the street. A local boulder with a core-drilled center serves as a vanishing fountain flanked by two benches made from recycled cypress logs. Two of the seven varieties of manzanita on the property grace the porch: the Manzanita morroensis, native to Morro Bay, and the Dr. Hurd, a multi-branched tree with glossy light green leaves.
Past a south facing raised vegetable bed and fruit trees, a wide path winds through tall deer grass on its way to the backyard, pool, and patio. A curving, elevated bed of stacking stone along one side of the pool decking is wide enough to sit on, full of native plants and another vanishing fountain.
An outdoor poolside kitchen provides a focal point for the backyard. Rough-sawn, horizontal siding covers the existing fence and continues along the back of the structure as a sliding barn door to conceal pool equipment. Slender veldt grass, Carpenteria Bush Anemone, carex, and potted succulents hug the various stone surface treatments. The cypress bar is recycled from the same log as the front benches.
The owners of this San Miguel property desired a landscape to complement their hacienda-style residence, set in the vineyards of North County wine country. The large site created opportunities for multiple landscape areas, all connected by a winding pathway. A southwest-themed residence entry guides a visitor up the driveway a lush entrance. The food garden encompasses an orchard and raised beds surrounded by custom-designed fencing and an arched gateway. An entertaining area includes a pool deck and lawn, while a tree grove provides shady respite for hot summer days.
Located in San Luis Obispo’s vibrant downtown, this boutique hotel features contemporary landscapes with outdoor terraces and gardens. The four-level, 78-room property is nestled between historic downtown buildings and the roof-top lounge offers view of the inland hills. The selection and sourcing of specimen trees and other plants including a six-foot organ pipe cactus were closely coordinated during the early phases of design with Gensler Architects. This proactive approach proved beneficial when a 5,500-lb olive tree was craned in over four stories of building to set the tree to the precision of inches. The coordination of complex smart irrigation systems through hundreds of tons of concrete were regularly discussed with plumbing and electrical subcontractors.
Madrone Landscape was already on board when I came onto the team for the Hotel SLO project, but it was immediately evident that they were an invested part of the process. Daniel was on top of submittals, and he made sure there was complete team buy-in on plant selection and sourcing. During landscape installation, I was impressed with the quality of their work. We were stacking trades tightly to meet construction milestones, and I appreciated Madrone’s willingness to work around those other trades. I would recommend Madrone Landscape in a heartbeat.
This beautiful Mediterranean-style landscape complements the design of the home and the idyllic rural Paso Robles setting. A large and meandering garden-style yard creates several passive and active spaces, including a formal courtyard with a fountain, rebuilt pergola, several viewing patios of pavers and decomposed granite, a swimming pool, a small pond, and stately field-grown trees. A newly designed guest parking area provides turnaround space, while pavers and plantings define the visitor entry.
The planting palette includes several deer-resistant varieties such as Mediterranean aromatics, California sages, wispy grasses, and colorful succulents. Mediterranean varietals such as Italian Stone Pine, field-grown Olives, and Italian Cypress provide stately definition at entry points while strategically framing views from within.
This intensive retrofit project made use of existing hardscape infrastructure to blend seamlessly with new features and patio areas to create a cohesive landscape. The functionality of the spaces works exceptionally well. At the same time, the beauty of the overall design creates a stunning, comfortable landscape.
