The client told Sedlacek that he wanted “no color” in his garden. Sedlacek “I think about what people want when they say they want a sense of calm in their garden,” says Sedlacek. “Nature is color, so it’s the question of how to control color.” Sedlacek narrowed the leaf palette to silver blue tone and green. Hardscape materials are similarly unsaturated. Grey bricks, wood that turns gray over time, gray steel rimming, silver hardware.
One plant that was key to the design was the licorice plant (Helichrysum Petiolare). “I’m always excited about (the licorice plant) because it’s a nameless hero,” Sedlacek says. “It can be cascaded on the edges, so it alleviates everything.” Sedlacek points out that this plant needs to be shaped or otherwise it will be a big round puff. Prune from the top to keep it low.
Master the mix of ingredients.
Sedalek skillfully mixes materials in her designs, but she says she is particularly conscious of mixing the footing experience. Here, she created three “rooms” within the main outdoor space using a variety of materials. “It seems counterintuitive,” she adds. “You might think that one material will make things bigger, but then you lose the opportunity for all the textures and plants to come.”
Explore turfgrass alternatives.
As homeowners wanted to come out barefoot and go down into the grass for a picnic, Sedrasek designed a small patch of Normaufescue between their meals and the fireplace. Sedlacek was installed as a turf as they say they see clients like better acceptance and immediate satisfaction. Irrigation will be required for the first few years, but you will eventually be able to leave.
ED Note: This property escaped a recent wildfire unharmed, but many of ORCA’s other recent projects have been lost. When Sedlacek begins a conversation with her client about rebuilding, she says she is thinking about how the garden can protect and help us in the future.
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