Carmel Hilltop
This hilltop residence sits perched with spectacular views in all directions; Point Lobos to the south, Jacks Peak to the northwest, and Carmel Valley to the East. Situated on the boundary of fog and sun, the soil exposed and rocky, a habitat that was likely all pine forest before people built homes to take in these sweeping views. The scope of this project was to revitalize the existing front entry around a circular driveway and entry courtyard.
HABITAT TYPE
Coastal Chaparral
DESIGN CONSTRAINTS
High winds • Rocky soil • Coastal influence (fog, temperature) • Intense Sun Exposure • Deer/Rabbit Grazing
DESIGN FEATURES
Low Maintenance Landscape
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES
Pollinator Garden • CA Native and Drought Tolerant Non-Native Plants • Increased Biodiversity
In the center of the driveway roundabout are focal planting areas with an existing lawn between for pets and kids to play.
One design objective was to increase color throughout the year, this also leads to a large increase in biodiversity and habitat. We have definitely seen that in the first year of growth in this garden. In the first spring after installing the garden there was a pair of quail nesting in the very front planting bed.
As one approaches the front door you enter a courtyard flanked on both sides inside and out by plantings. These plants receive a mixture of sunlight, some get a few hours of direct sun while others are in deep shade throughout the day under the mature Magnolia trees and the shadow of the house.
An existing raised planter bed in the courtyard, visible from the living room, was planted to be an overflowing cascade of colors.
Featured Plants
African Mallow • CA Currant ‘Spring Showers’ • Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’ • Flowering Maple • Foothill Sedge • Giant Feather Grass • Green Santolina • Guatemalan Leaf Sage • Hardenbergia • Hellebore • Russian Sage • Shield Fern
