The client’s intent for this project was to create a “play garden” for the couple to indulge in, as they both have a passion for gardening. The concept included mass plantings with year-round interest, framing the mountain view with a beautiful foreground. The seasonal changes throughout the landscape plantings are very dramatic—there is always something to look forward to.

The challenges presented by existing conditions involved significant drainage issues and the complexity of irrigating over an acre of landscaped area. To solve these issues, drainage swales and seasonal creeks with culvert overflow were installed. The irrigation system uses a 2-inch mainline with 24 zones. During project exection, difficulties in piping irrigation lines were also encountered, as water is shared with a fire suppression system that cannot be shut down in winter. This was resolved with isolation valves at all valve boxes, and the erosion at swale overflows was fixed by using bentonite for soil stability.