Tropical Garden (Noe Valley)

The Brief

In a windswept part of Noe Valley. The clients of this ultra-modern, newly renovated property had inherited a ‘hastily landscaped for sale’ astro turf-riddled garden. Naturally, they wanted a radical redesign departing from the 'realtor beige' aesthetic.

Having grown up in Poland with residual memories of cold winters, bleak landscapes, and post-iron curtain brutalist grey, they desired the aesthetic diametric opposite-. They wanted a year-round lush Tropical garden to nourish the senses. Expecting their first child, the clients also required a soft, safe, non-toxic place for the baby to play in addition to spaces for adults to relax and socialize. Dividing the garden into separate functional areas allowed us to create a flexible, multifunctional garden for this sociable, evolving family.

Can you plant a Tropical Garden in San Francisco?

Yes, you can! We designed a garden with cold-tolerant tropical palms and perennials such as Strelitzia and Canna. The central lawn area (previously astroturf) was planted with chamomile to create a chamomile lawn.