Harmony Ranch

Nov 30, 2021

Harmony Ranch | Harmony, CA

The surrounding coastal hills of this residence are prone to heavy winds and beautiful vistas. In an effort to shield this home from view from the road, a large grassy mound protects the home from prevailing wind and hides it from sight. The native and drought-tolerant grasses flow in the wind and simulate a contemporary version of the surrounding grass-covered hills. A mixture of pervious gravel and modular concrete situate use patterns, while the native mature Oak trees provide instant habitat.

The deer-fenced orchard and vegetable garden features raised planters, composting bins, and a pavilion, mostly constructed with locally sourced redwood.

Landscape Design: Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape | Landscape Construction: Madrone Landscapes | Residence Architect: Studio 2G | Residence Contractor: Semmes & Co. Builders, Inc.

Woodland Cottage Garden

Nov 23, 2021

Woodland Cottage Garden | Atascadero, CA

Landscape Design and Construction: Madrone Landscapes

Award: 2019 Large Residential CLCA Award Winner

Coastal Contemporary

Oct 17, 2021

Pataye_Award-Winning Landscapes_Native Turf_Stepping Stones

Coastal Contemporary | Cayucos, CA

This custom residential home is designed in a contemporary style by Jade Architecture, set in a beautiful mixed evergreen forest along the northern central coast. The home was built off-grid by Semmes and Co. Builders and features rammed earth.

Madrone’s award-winning landscape design seamlessly bridges the substantial transition between the unique contemporary architecture to the surrounding mixed evergreen forest, maximizing usable outdoor space and minimizing maintenance and all energy inputs.

The project was sited in an area where minimal tree removal or mitigation was necessary. Madrone’s design used native drought-tolerant plants in a modern styling. The simple, low-maintenance plant palette utilizes foliage color and texture to create a dramatic effect alongside the modern home.

Outdoor living spaces were maximized through a custom water wall, stepping stones and pavers, and a lawn area created from a native turf substitute.

Residence Architect: Jade Architecture | Landscape Design and Construction: Madrone Landscapes

Award: 2020 Green Landscape Honor Award, Central Coast Green Building Chapter

Award: CLCA Design/Build Award 2019

Water-Wise Floral

Oct 10, 2021

Madrone Colorful Backyard Flowering Turf Landscape-11

Water-Wise Floral | Atascadero, CA

Covered in wall-to-wall blooms, this Atascadero back yard is a true retreat for the flower gardener and proof that low-water landscapes can be showy and colorful. Nestled among a rainbow of colorful perennials, the space now features an inviting covered patio, artificial turf lawn and putting green, dry creek and more.

A goal of this project was to reduce water usage. Formerly a conventional lawn, now a drought-tolerant landscape with lots of color and interest, the palette includes red salvia and penstemon, purple seaside daisy and nepeta, yellow coreopsis and yarrow, white roses, and plenty of green grasses and foliage. Better yet, this lawn will always be green!

Landscape Design & Construction: Madrone Landscapes

SLO Backyard Retreat

Sep 28, 2021

Backyard Retreat | San Luis Obispo, CA

This San Luis Obispo backyard features several areas for gathering, including outdoor dining and a cozy fire feature for cool winter evenings. A stairway traverses the lushly planted hillside to a raised-bed vegetable garden.

The planting palette includes several drought-tolerant succulents such as Blue Glow Agave and Foxtail Agave. Other varietals include Sun Camellia (Camellia sasnqua), Variegated Japanese Sedge (Carex Oshimensis), Bush Anemone (Soleirolia soleirolii ), and a Tamukeyama Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Tamukeyama).