When the owner of this property had a new water treatment system installed the entire yard was destroyed. Now he had a reason to redesign his garden from the bottom up, including all the elements he had been dreaming about.

An old aggregate patio formed the base for the new Three Rivers flagstone patio which is now the focal point of the new garden. Flagstone paths circle the entire garden making it an experience. A short fence was added along the road to enclose the space and make it more intimate. Planter boxes were made and placed below the windows along the deck adding blooming plants and color everywhere you look.

Small ornamental trees such as Pink dogwood and Red Japanese maple were added as well as flowering shrubs like Nikko blue hydrangea, Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow, pink azaleas, Blue marguerites, Crimson-spot rockrose and Patty's purple hebe. Perennials provide more color. Blue, asters bloom in the fall, while pink penstemons bloom throughout the summer. The blue flowers of campanula ground cover are everywhere.

The owner not only spends lots of time out in his new garden but enjoys looking out the living room window and taking in it's beauty.

A lonely old picnic bench on a plain slab did not entice one to sit and enjoy the sound of the birds in the trees. The San Lorenzo River flows below the property and is home to lots of native inhabitants just begging for a new place to hang out. The garden is in partial shade, but still needed something to provide shade in the hottest months.

A lovely pergola was installed to provide shade and give a sense of enclosure to the space. The small picket fence establishes a boundary for the garden from the road.

The Three Rivers flagstone path enters the area and opens up into a patio that will soon have furniture. Colorful shade perennials continue around the border to attract hummingbirds while you sit in the shade.

A tricky elevation change between the main patio and the lower path was solved by simple treated lumber steps in keeping with the rustic look of the garden and surrounding forest. Small pebbles fill in between the flagstone allowing the surface to absorb and keep water runoff onsite.

To establish circulation around the garden and link the different "rooms", walkways lead the visitor along the perennial flower beds then split to the patio and continue around the front of the garden beside the deck.

Planting beds along the paths provide an endless array or color, fragrance and nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies. The owner and all his visitors stroll the garden even though it is intimate in size.

This is a picture of me and the perfect client. John was easy to work with and appreciated all the effort that went into creating his new garden. He even held a party with food and music to introduce the garden to all his friends and dedicate it to his late wife. Many gifts of garden art, including the mosaic that was installed at the entrance now grace many a nook and cranny.

If you look closely at John's shoulder you'll see an iguana that he found several weeks before. It was strolling along his quiet road when he rescued it. He was never able to find the owner so it lives with John and enjoys the new garden, too.