Herb Gardening!

When designing herb gardens I start by making a sun/shade study of the site to determine the best location for my plot. There is usually a need for some type of dividing element or screen, so pineapple and strawberry guava provide a nice natural element for the purpose, as well as giving back to us in the form of the their delicious fruit.

Once my beds are laid out to my satisfaction, I start with the basic herbs that any chef would need; Italian parsley, sweet basil, rosemary, oregano and thyme. Mint is also a basic but should be kept in a pot as it can become invasive.

Some of the more unusual choices I like to incorporate are: tasoi, black kale, winter savory and sorrel. Tatsoi is used as a micro green and is a member of the cabbage family. Black kale has a smooth rich texture and is a nice alternative to green kale. Black kale makes a tasty salad using lemon and olive oil.

Founded in 1992, Environmental Concept provides landscape design and installation services to the finest residential and commercial properties in Southern California. We are known for our specialty gardening and work closely with our clients to create personalized outdoor environments that are beautiful, functional and sustainable.

 All images copyright 2012 Sarah Barnard.

Santa Monica Mediterranean: Luxury Gardens in Small Space

 

 Tucked away in sea-side Santa Monica, California is a lovely custom Mediterranean home on a moderately sized residential lot. When the homeowner’s chose Alison Ross to design the landscape it was only natural for her to bring her longtime friend and colleague, Tania Gybels of Environmental Concept on to the project. The team of professionals ultimately created a garden with endless opportunities to enjoy the pleasant weather and endless benefits of Southern California’s outdoor lifestyle. By thoughtfully dividing up the available spaces the garden’s design encourages the residents to find enjoyment in uniquely functional spaces like the patio, outdoor kitchen and fireplace.

 

 

By using only the finest quality materials, this is a small scale garden where luxury abounds. All of the pathways, seat walls, fountain borders and outdoor fireplace are made of hand-cut Pennsylvania bluestone. With an extra special attention to detail and quality craftsmanship, Environmental Concept’s masons brought Ross’s vision to life.

 

When asked about the things that make the garden unique, Gybels explains how the design concept and quality gardening practices go hand-in-hand. “Because the garden is centered on specific forms created by the controlled shapes of the hedges and topiaries it is imperative that the horticultural maintenance be incredibly detailed to maintain the intended forms”. One of the primary elements that contribute to this concept is the boxwood hedge, Buxus (Green Beauty) which is a repeating element throughout.

 Other plant choices of note are the flowering vine over the garage, Rosa (Cecil Brunner) and the Bay trees (Laurus Nobilis) that impart a Tuscan feeling around the fountain.

 

 By planning the garden as functional interconnected zones and employing the finest craftspeople using only the best materials was a surefire recipe for an exemplary landscape installation.

 

 

Founded in 1992, Environmental Concept provides landscape design and installation services to the finest residential and commercial properties in Southern California. Environmental Concept has completed projects for the Spelling Mansion, Dustin Hoffman, Roland Emmerich, 3.1 Philip Lim Boutique, the Ambrose Hotel, Sunset Millennium Shopping Center, Hotel Casa del Mar and the Aquarium of the Pacific. Environmental Concept has been featured on HGTV and Oprah. For more information about Environmental Concept visit www.envconcept.com

Custom Tri-Level Estate: Redondo Beach ,CA

 A recently completed landscape design + build project in Redondo Beach, CA.

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For information about drought tolerant gardening and rebates related to weather based irrigation retrofit, contact us at info@envconcept.com. Or call us at (818) 787-7329 to find out how you can do more in your garden to preserve resources.
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Walk Through Wednesday - Santa Monica Mediterranean

It's time for Walk Through Wednesday again! This week, Environmental Concept is featuring our Santa Monica Mediterranean landscape.

Rich and luxurious landscaping greets guests at this Santa Monica property.

A mixture of a water feature, hedges and native plants create the perfect seating at the front entrance.

Rich and luxurious landscaping greets guests at this Santa Monica property.

An illuminated fountain at dusk.

Taking the mix and match approach, this driveway combines Cecile Brunner Roses, trellises and bluestone in an ashlar pattern.

This cozy outdoor fireplace provides the ideal setting for family time.

A waterfall pours into a custom built swimming pool.

Exquisite lighting and tall hedges form privacy and ambiance.

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Environmental Concept’s philosophy is based upon a goal to restore, beautify & preserve California’s natural spaces for future generations. With a diverse team of professionals, Environmental Concept works to increase awareness about water conservation & sustainable eco-systems using mainly microdrip & weather-based irrigation controllers. For more information, please visit www.envconcept.com.

Walkthrough Wednesday - Bel Air Old World Estate

Sprawling grass surrounding a Bel Air home.

A blend of Achillea, Antheia and Phygelius edge a grassy lawn.

Lavender blooms along a stone walkway.

Concrete seats nestle against a concrete wall.

Sour Grapes and Peppermint Geraniums mesh harmoniously.

Fruit trees and Apple Scented Geranium plants separate a grassy lawn from a walking path.

Wisteria twines above visitors.

A child’s art area is complimented by bright Wisteria.

Wisteria creates a canopy above a colorful art center.

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Environmental Concept’s philosophy is based upon a goal to restore, beautify & preserve California’s natural spaces for future generations. With a diverse team of professionals, Environmental Concept works to increase awareness about water conservation & sustainable eco-systems using mainly microdrip & weather-based irrigation controllers. For more information, please visit www.envconcept.com.

Creating an Outdoor Living Area

The best way to create an effective outdoor living space is to analyze the wants and needs of the client and their family and match those necessities to specific solutions. Do they have children? Are there pets? What is the purpose of their landscape? Environmental Concept believes that every client is individual. Every situation and family that we have encountered has been different, but for the most part, the common factor is a wanting a comfortable livable space and outdoor extension of their home.

If the main purpose of the outdoor area is for entertaining, create a focal point by incorporating a fire pit or built-in kitchen for company to gather around. Aim for inviting.

The landscaped area should welcome guests to stay a while. Plan for the amount of guests your client typically accommodates.

If possible, use versatile seating arrangements.

Don’t limit your outdoor living space to only hardscaped terrain. Hardscape typically designates common areas and walkways, but consider permeable paving. Sprouting greens between the pavers not only feels great under your feet, it also allows water to drain to the soil below.

Work with the natural beauty of the environment by letting the terrain and region make decisions. Native planting incorporates indigenous vegetation that thrives in local areas. In turn, native plants require less water and maintenance than typical landscapes.

Always apply inspiration from the home’s architecture and design to the outdoor and stay true to the original style.

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Environmental Concept’s philosophy is based upon a goal to restore, beautify & preserve California’s natural spaces for future generations. With a diverse team of professionals, Environmental Concept works to increase awareness about water conservation & sustainable eco-systems using mainly microdrip & weather-based irrigation controllers. For more information, please visit www.envconcept.com.