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A beautiful mix of stone and rock, native and adaptive plantings, and minimal turf areas makes this xeric landscape far from “brown and boring”
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The staff designer created a plan to introduce xeric landscaping, terracing the hill to capture runoff for reuse, and reduce the turf area to that required for the septic leach field. The turf area was reduced by 62% by bringing in over 210 tons of rock and gravels and over 370 specimen native and adaptive plantings.
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The existing landscape consisted almost entirely of irrigated turf grass, and the topography of the site resulted in heavy runoff down the property to the front door of the home.
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Terraced retaining walls reduced the runoff velocity on the site, while xeric design limited turf areas and created visual interest with native and adaptive plantings.
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Contrasting textures were used to soften the rock ground cover, including native muhly grasses, lantana, plumbago, esperanza, and a variety of succulents.
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Native rock and roses line the access to the home, with the outdoor lighting used to highlight the beautiful stonework and provide safety along the paths.
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The retaining walls reduce runoff and capture rainwater for reuse in the landscape. The walls were constructed of native limestone block with leuders caps to define the terraces.
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Native esperanza, skyflower, four-nerve daisy, and pride of Barbados are scattered along the paths attract wildlife to this xeric landscape.
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Big muhly, gulf muhly, esperanza, and adaptive bottlebrush an intermediate layer of color beneath the native live oak canopy, with lantana and silver ponyfoot softening the various rock layers beneath.
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At night, the beauty of the terraces is highlighted by integrated landscape lighting in the walls, along paths, and in the trees.
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The massive turf area and topography of the pre-existing landscape resulted in multiple issues for the homeowner. Beyond the excessive irrigation usage, the home was flooded in previous years due to the runoff from this slope.
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A view from the same area now shows the layered terracing that captures runoff for reuse and routes excess flow around the home instead of through it.
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Winding Creek's flowing, creative use of various stone sizes, colors, and textures, is softened by over 370 native and adaptive plantings in 31 varieties.
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The finished landscape is both functional and beautiful, solving a multitude of pre-existing issues with xeric design that was previously unused in the area. This project introduced and educated the homeowner’s association to xeric design, and has set the standard for xeric landscapes in the area.