Recreation Destination

Conforms with the guiding principles of Eco-Friendly Landscaping

The curved entry walkway guides visitors through a small grove of
trees, creating a “mini” urban park-like setting. Because this front
yard has south-southwestern sun exposure, the trees provide
welcome shade.
Walkways made of permeable pavers enables water from
downspouts and rain events to soak into the soil beneath.
Gentle mounding and contours in the soil help direct storm water to
permeable surfaces and planting areas.
A downspout is extended to the dry creek bed, created with local
rock, to slow down the flow of water across the landscape.

A large patio created with permeable pavers features a retractable
overhead shade structure made of billowy fabric that slides along
a wire cable system. Individual retractable sections give flexibility
to have fabric extended to different lengths and coverage needed
based on the time of year and the sun’s position. Another benefit of
this retractable cover is that it keeps the patio cooler in summer and
lets in the warmth of the sun during the winter months.
For its efficient use of water, a natural stone re-circulating water
feature offers the soothing sound of moving water and a cooling
effect from the glistening green and blue colors of the recycled glass
around the feature’s base. It is strategically placed near both patios
so it can be enjoyed from the dining area and the fireside seating
area.
Arbors are constructed of wood with the FSC label (Forest
Stewardship Council) to ensure the responsible management of our
forests.
The ample-sized lawn beckons recreation, such as playing
horseshoes, bad mitten, croquet, football, and other sports.
Gentle mounding and contours in the soil help direct storm water to
permeable surfaces and planting areas.

Plants selected for this landscape are appropriate for the
Sacramento Region and come from world-wide Mediterranean-
type climates, including much of California and Northwestern Baja,
Western & Southern Australia, South African Cape, Mediterranean
Sea area, and the West Coast of Chile.
Plants, such as the Marina Strawberry Tree (Arbutus ‘Marina’), were
selected for their vibrant, year-round color and seasonal interest.
The Marina Strawberry Tree has clusters of urn-shaped rosy-pink fall
flowers, clusters of red-orange fruit with a strawberry-like texture in
fall, rich evergreen leaves with red stems, and rich cinnamon-brown
peeling bark.
Maintaining the lawn at a height of 2-1/2 to 3-1/3 inches encourages
deeper rooting and keeps the soil and thus the roots cooler.
By using a mulching mower, grass blades are cut into fine pieces
that remain on the lawn’s surface, yet quickly breaking down,
releasing nutrients back into the soil.
Natural wood mulch on the soil’s surface in planting areas helps
to reduce weed growth, retain soil moisture, moderate the soil’s
temperature, reduce erosion, protect the soil from compaction, and
add organic matter that feeds beneficial soil organisms.

Irrigation optimized for peak water efficiency.
Valve zones are apportioned into “hydrozones”, where plants of
similar water needs are grouped together, and watered at the same
time.
The lawn sprinklers use high-efficiency nozzles.
All plants are watered with “inline” drip tubing with built-in emitters.
A smart, weather-based controller is utilized for daily adjustment of
the irrigation schedule to respond to changes in the weather.
Multiple flush points are specified for easier maintenance of the drip
systems.
During unusually dry winters and in drought conditions,
supplemental watering may be necessary, especially for California
natives and plants in rain gardens, because these plants rely on winter
rains to sustain themselves.