Hilltop Hacienda
The site conditions are a mix of dry oak woodland and full sun pockets as the property transitions to chaparral. It is located on the north side of Carmel valley and the soil is very thin atop a rocky subsoil of Carmel stone.
HABITAT TYPE
Oak Woodland • Chaparral • Rural
DESIGN CONSTRAINTS
High Winds • Rocky Soil • Deep Shade • Intense Sun Exposure
DESIGN FEATURES
Low Maintenance Landscape
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES
Pollinator Garden • California Native & Drought Tolerant Non-Native Plants • Permeable Pathways • Increased Biodiversity
This was accomplished with a simple understory of spring narcissus in the deep shade of the oak trees.
In the part sun along the front entrance of the home between an iconic oak and a lovely specimen walnut tree is an understory of ceanothus, lomandra, and flax with colorful accents of santolina and lavender in the summer.
Along the gravel pathways throughout the property are large containers filled with textural accent plants.
The intention of these plantings was for a year round low growing foreground to the home with accents of color in the spring and summer.
Featured Plants
Japanese Maple • Lomandra • Lavender • Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’ • Narcissus • Manzanita ‘Emerald Carpet' • Green Santolina
