La Mesa Mid-Century

The breeze is just right at the top of Eucalyptus Hill in La Mesa. The way the sun sets isn't too shabby either. The original garden boasted an out-of-scale Canary Island Date Palm, once prized and considered a status symbol, but now was a maintenance nightmare and dangerously close to the power lines. Stands of Giant Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) concealed the simple lines of the house and the modest entry screen and trellis - built by the owner.

We attempted to sell the Palm but were stonewalled by the neighbors refusal to allow us to use their "dirt" front lot to park the crane. So the palm came down - in pieces - and was replaced with a specimen Olive, assorted under-plantings, and various Aloes from the owners personal collection. A new driveway with integrated channel drain fixed some drainage issues, and new walkway from the curb is a welcome to visitors.

We used Coyote gold DG and boulders to compliment the simple color palette. The garden is now much more 'climate-appropriate' and acts as supporting cast to the clean and simple roof-line and trellis.