Veltman Design

A home in Rancho Bernardo. (Before)

This homeowner had completed a renovation of their gentle, street side slope. They looked next to refurbish the flat area in front of their home. They started with an area filled with 20+ year old juniper and tan colored stones.

Lots of visual interest (After)

At this point the plants are quite immature. Sufficient room has been left so that as they grow, the mature plants will fill the area nicely. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to locate plants too close together. That darling little 6″ beauty you bought at the nursery could turn into an 8′ giant. Know what your plant has in mind for the future so that you’re neither surprised or fighting it for the rest of your life. Mutabilis roses were planted at the far side of the garden in order to screen the view of the neighbor’s home. Mutabilis grow very large and produce flowers of pink, rose and apricot.

The green blob. (Before)

This juniper hedge took up the entire bed leading to the entrance of the home.

Hooray, the juniper is gone! (After)

In removing the juniper, there was plenty of room to add a number of beautiful low water plants.

Examples of how to have containers work for you.

This Solana Beach home owner wanted to bring more attention to her entry. Using the client’s existing container, a simple yet attractive and colorful solution was achieved with low water plants.

Repetition can create drama.

Placing these three, beautiful, tropical Dieffenbachia in tall glazed containers definitely catches your eye. By using three pots which are exactly the same color or three shades of blue as shown in this photo, a statement is made.

An artist’s vision.

Artist, Laird Plumleigh, created a very unique and thoughtful way to take advantage of a wall. By attaching these half round containers to the surface, he has incorporated a new location to display some of his favorite plants.

Vegetables and herbs can do very well in a sunny spot

These nicely planted whiskey barrels are located in a garden in Rancho Santa Fe. Many vegetables and herbs grow very successfully in containers as long as they have rich soil and a good sun exposure. You would want to provide at least half a day of sun. These barrels contain chives (which have gone to flower), lettuce and a small lemon tree.

Pathways

A meandering pathway for this Solana Beach garden is both restful to the eye and creates a sense of mystery. What lies beyond that curve, just out of sight? Having plants spill into the path softens any hard edging material and repeating a color creates continuity.

Create a pleasing view

Combine plants which are from either similar color palates or contrasting.

A low water garden (Before)

This lovely, low water garden in Santa Luz needed a more defined pathway plus new planting material which would fit the small site.

The solution was a stone walkway with a pebble mulch (After)

The planting materials were chosen for their visual interest, integration with the existing garden and small growth habits so as not to encroach on the path. Small mounds were also created for visual interest as well as drainage.

Succulent or flower?

Aeoniums come in a variety of colors from this silver form to deep burgundy. Their shape is often referred to as a rosette which you can easily see.

Or soft and colorful

Beautiful arrangements may be created both in containers and in the ground with low water plants. Complimentary colors may be soothing while contrasting colors are more dynamic.

Tree for a dry landscape

This Parkinsonia “Desert Museum” requires very low water and provides not only beautiful, yellow flowers, but is also a very graceful connection in the garden. The dappled shade which this tree creates allows for a great assortment of planting material beneath its branches.

Low water plants can be colorful

Euphorbia “Sticks on Fire” as well as Aloe karasbergensis (which produces multiple orange flower spikes) are a great punch of color.