Gravel path meanders through drought tolerant garden
Top Three Drought tolerant gardens in Santa Barbara
The City of Santa Barbara searches for drought tolerant gardens as part of their efforts to encourage low-water gardens. This garden just placed in the top three for drought tolerant garden design. Designed and installed by Montecito Landscape.
The client was thrilled to show us how it has thrived after being installed over 7 years previously. I don’t have any before photos, but take my word for it that it there wasn’t much there but lawn and dirt. I thought I’d share the success of this garden that was so well cared for. (Photos taken by the client.)
This view from the front door
Privacy blessed privacy
When in a Santa Barbara residential neighborhood, it’s challenging sometimes to create privacy. But this view from the front door shows it can be done. Hedges require tons of maintenance to keep looking good and are not always successful. One plant goes a bit bare, and there goes your privacy.
Privacy Screens
Planting a privacy screen instead of a hedge is a more beautiful way to achieve privacy without all the maintenance. A privacy screen is a multi-layered affair consisting of a variety of different trees and shrubs planted not in one straight line, but back and forth. The effect, as you can see in the above picture is much more interesting than a hedge. It not only provides visual screening but also a bit of a sound barrier from the street.
Gravel path meanders through this garden. Terra cotta pots add to the Mediterranean garden feel
Mediterranean Design-Santa Barbara Style
The look of terra cotta pots on gravel is classic Mediterranean with pots of colorful geraniums, rosemary, privet and Olive trees. In true Santa Barbara style there are plants that love our climate and there is a mix of old and new styles. There is the original clipped hedge, which we left for privacy, then privets, giant birds of paradise and other semi-tropical plants-classic old school Santa Barbara. Love it!
Lavender, succulents and other drought tolerant plants fill this garden with color, texture and fragrance
Our Client says it best
Here’s what the client said: “I hope you are both doing well. My garden is still thriving after 7+ years! You installed a fantastic drip system and planted many drought tolerant plants during our big landscaping project. Thankfully there is no grass.”
Mediterranean garden of succulents, giant birds of paradise, bougainvillea