El Segundo
What can be done with 180 square feet on either side of a pathway? A lot can be done is the answer! We created a rain garden to infiltrate stormwater into the very sandy soil of this beach adjacent home. We created a ton of habitat for a variety of pollinators, most importantly the hyper-endangered El Segundo Blue, who lives at the LAX Dunes less than a mile away. A large amount of milkweed was also planted for Monarch Butterflies. Yarrow, Artemisia ‘David’s Choice’, Beach Suncups and Dune Sedge create a richly textured, colorful accent. What was once an uninspiring strip of land is now a multifunctional habitat garden tucked away on the side of this house.
After Planting: A simple walkway on the side of a house is transformed into habitat for a variety of birds, bees and butterflies while also controlling stormwater and creating visual interest for the homeowners year round.
Before Planting: A very dull, uninspiring, ugly strip of land on either side of a paver walkway was our starting point.
After Planting: A pair of large boulders create permanence as large garden anchors, letting the garden shift around it as plants find their ecological niche.
After Planting: The whimsical 'David's Choice' Artemisia creates a stunning foliage contrast between the Sonoma Coast Yarrow adjacent to the rain garden.
After Planting: Yellow Bush Lupine creates a focal point at the end of the walkway, particularly when in bloom. Dara's Choice Sage serves as a foil to the Lupine's darker green foliage, as well as perfuming the air.
After Planting: The client adores the color yellow; luckily Beach Suncups delivers this throughout the year with its cheerful, bright yellow blooms.
After Planting: Dara's Choice Sage beneath the Lupine smells absolutely amazing when walking out the backdoor and onto this path.
After Planting: Here you can see the linear rain garden, framed in boulders and cobble. Yarrow and Artemisia contrast with the fine texture of the Sand Dune Sedge to create a beautiful tapestry.