It’s no wonder Pamela Burton & Company received the 2008 Residential Design Award of Honor from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Pamela Burton & Company met the challenge of creating a sustainable and eye-pleasing landscape at a modern, oceanfront house that presented little opportunity for vegetation. It resulted in exquisite and an eco-friendly design. With dry beach sand as the ground cover, drought-tolerant grass and plants were situated in a manner that accentuates the open-concept layout. The plants act as both a border and a screen, to block out unwanted views. The ornamental grass simulates the California hillside, while the bright yellow Kangaroo Paws and Mexican Marigolds catch the eyes of all, reminding residents they can have a beautiful yard while using minimal water for maintenance. Pamela Burton & Company. Photos: Bruce Botnick and Pamela Burton & Company.
An informal sandy walk connects the Main House entry with the Lap Pool and Guest House. A low maintenance, drought-tolerant planting palette reduces the carbon footprint.
The summer landscape with fog reveals a garden that mimics the adjacent landscape.
Yellow Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos), Mexican Marigold (Tagetes) and Duranta repens ‘variegata’ were incorporated within the grass massing to create a complex salt-tolerant palette of yellows and greens. The design was executed to optimize the flowing, dramatic movement of grasses, contrasting red bark of the Arbutus tree, and seasonal color of the Kangaroo Paw.
The reconstructed arroyo planted with low maintenance ornamental grasses flows under a bridge that connects the Main House with the Guest House.
Meeting the clients request for “lots of color”, the design combines multiple plants in a yellow palette.
The Lap Pool is located parallel to the Guest House and appears to connect with the ocean beyond.
