Landscaping

‘Trio’ in Tamarindo, Costa Rica…created a privacy wall with custom planters and Kentia Palms

For a brand new multi-use (restaurant/bar/theater/lounge) space in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, I needed to create some privacy between the large auditorium/seating area and new construction next door, by request, using greenery. Deciding mobile planters would be ideal, I suggested thin rectangular planters with tall full plants, in this case utilizing 6′ tall Kentia palms. Kentias are low maintenance and very versatile regarding lighting. Once planters were constructed, and wheels added, I lined the 6 planters with black plastic using staples (to protect the wood) then filled each planter with 12 milk crates to add 3′ of height underneath the palms. Lining a second time with plastic, planters were partially filled with soil then palms were installed, and finished up with soil. This created a lush, green living privacy wall that is easy care and movable as well.

Two sided Air BNB patio redo in Austin

I was asked to redo both sides of an Air BNB front area that had been long neglected in Austin Texas. Both sides were unsafe, barely walkable and very unattractive. For the left side, I removed all the old flagstone; leveled/smoothed the area; added paving sand and 60 patio pavers, then filled in with pea gravel. As a border and added drainage, I added black polished Japanese stones. After a new fence and gate were built (not by me)a bistro set and outdoors string lanterns were added for seating and ambience. Also new lighting was added in the driveway for safety and to add some softness.

For side #2 (right side front area) I first pulled all the many stones and unattractive rock pavers; smoothed the soil and added sand; installed 3 different pavers for color and variety and a place to sit/entertain; and designed a French drain ‘creek’ from stones and colored polished glass, to alleviate excess water drainage that poured into the yard from the driveway. Lastly I added a bench, some plants and festive lighting to create a comfortable and much safer place to relax or entertain.

Pacha café in Austin

For Pacha Cafe in Austin, Texas, my goal was to clean up and update a very neglected front/parking area that was unattractive and hard to navigate around. I first deleted an enormous dead Lantana, then heavily pruned remaining plants. After amending the old unhealthy soil, I added a number of sun loving, drought tolerant plants and Native perennials (to survive brutal Texas summers!) like Echinacea, Russian and Jerusalem Sage, Mexican Flamevine, and Coreopsis. A new rock border and granite sand added to fill in holes and cracks added some needed curb appeal and safety. A Pacha regular named Barry was so pleased he custom designed a new patio railing fashioned after garden tools in honor of what I accomplished.. I was very touched!

Projects

A client in Austin needed a ‘naked’ area next to her front gate filled in with greenery to soften and pretty up her front entry. I decided a tiered effect would work well, so after choosing 3 sizes of gun metal gray planters, I filled each in with high drainage materials (plastic recyclables) then added soil. The client requested low maintenance plants that could better survive Texas weather with minimal care, so I utilized a Juniper, Mexican Mint Marigold, a Blue Agave and a few decorative grasses. Seasonal annuals were added for color and would be changed out occasionally from winter/summer etc.