Landscaping, Phase I, drawing to a close

Finally, we have some flora on the landscaping!  This is Phase I with our landscaping architect, Jeremy Macki, owner of Hortus Landscape Design.  Honestly, it is a big property, and it needs a lot of plants to cover any area, which makes it all quite a bit more expensive than we realized -- despite the fact we are only landscaping near the house!  But we have a plan, and we are adjusting and working it according to plant availability and our budget.  All that remains of this phase is the hydro-mulching of grass seed.  This will be mainly for erosion control.  Phase 2 of the landscaping (next year) will add flora to some of the areas receiving grass this year.

My own work on the landscaping begins when Phase I closes.  My job is that of forest ranger and park curator.  There are some other trees I need to take down, non-native invasives I need to remove, cultivation of trails, and sitting areas I will create.  I do not expect to get all of these done in this calendar year, but I expect to make decent progress in the short-term.  Pam and I will also do some addition of plants ourselves in advance of the formal Phase 2.

Here are some pictures from the work to-date:

The perspective picture shows that a little greenery goes a long way.  In a few weeks, I hope to see the dirt covered in grass.

This is the outside of the first driveway turn, and you can see that we have
"padded" the curve with creek pebbles in case of "navigation errors".  We
have red yucca planted along the landscaping stone near the center.

The front beds are mirror images of one another, with muhly, boxwood,
African iris, prostrate rosemary, and soon-to-be-added blue lantana.  We will
also harvest a couple of multi-trunk Yaupon hollies from the property to
frame the bay windows.

Welcome to Leaning Oak (Bienvenue a Chene se Penchant)

A close-up of the prostrate rosemary and the African iris which will greet you
as you approach the front door...

We planted three dogwood trees in front of the two-car garage.  We live
just 2-3 miles north of the southern-most extent of dogwood growth.

This picture captures our yellow lantana and water management effort.  The
bull-rock will slow water coming from the roof and drive it toward our basin
drains which we installed previously.

The casita received its landscaping look as well, mostly its bull-rock and
grass line.