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.
The Constraints of creating a Tropical Garden in San Francisco.
The previous landscaping was demolished including unwanted concrete paved areas and astroturf. Unfortunately, the garden had poor soil chocked with roots from a neighboring mature Beech tree so we decided to excavate six inches and import premium-grade topsoil to sustain our new plantings (particularly important if you are importing mature trees).
Our Mature Tree ferns, Kentia palms, striped timber bamboo and European fan palms were sourced to create an immediate tropical effect. They were also needed for highly practical purposes. Those strong San Franciscan winds blew straight through the garden every day and especially in early afternoon , thus confounding our intentions to design a warm inviting space. We mitigated this by planting wind-tolerant palms and the false frangipani tree (Hymenosporum Flavum) to create a natural and effective windbreak.
To truly encapsulate the space we used tropical scented vines such as Giant Burmese honeysuckle, which were trained on the new arbor, with Star Jasmine on all exterior fences for continuity. Finally, a Black steel bender board and a black boulder stone pond reflected the modernity of the existing black metal staircase leading from the house and unified home and garden in a modern aesthetic.
Is Astroturf good or bad?
I understand in certain rare instances why astro turf might be suitable. Creating a living, durable lawn/astroturf substitute can be challenging as many alternative lawn plants can be either invasive, patchy or both! One of the few plants that is truly ‘steppable’ but also drought tolerant, texturally scented, and gives good coverage is - lawn chamomile. This was used to soften the paving stone paths and for a larger central ‘lawn’ large enough to picnic on. Of course, the customer is always right and has thier needs and vision, but as a landscaper and nature lover, I have an aversion to plastic in a garden. I always try and inform my clients of all the options they have, not just what is the easiest or cheapest for the landscaper.
Constraints on the landscaping site.
The main problem with this garden was access. The home that had once been a small Victorian cottage had been completely modernized with direct garden access removed. To install the garden we had to commandeer the lower floor which comprised a gym and office. We did so by protecting all floors and surfaces within this area of the home for the duration of the project. It often happens that we need to do this and we are meticulous about respecting our client's homes.
