Drought conditions in California are forcing property owners to come up with solutions for landscaping that are not only drought-tolerant but also attractive. Designing a balanced garden requires a combination of softscapes and hardscapes. The term softscape refers to living vegetation, and the term hardscape refers to the non-living elements, like pathways and patios.
There are many low-water plants, trees and ground covers that can be used for softscape areas. These should be chosen for the climate. Combining softscapes with hardscape elements like pathways, ponds, patios and areas of functional space can make your garden an extension of your living space. Using softscape in combination with useful hardscape elements is a creative solution that can produce a beautiful and interesting garden and also save valuable water and money.
There are many choices of drought tolerant plants for softscaping that can thrive in Southern California. Mediterranean varieties as well as native plants are among the best suited for our climate. Lavender, thyme and oregano are plants that add beauty and fragrance to a garden and require very little water. Yarrow and California poppy are native plants that also have lower water requirements. Bougainvillea can provide a lovely infusion of color and height on a trellis. Milkweed is a wonderful native plant that helps Monarch butterflies.
There are many ornamental grasses like sheep fescue and deergrass, that provide texture and color and can be a great substitute for lawns. Some examples of perennials that have lower water requirements are: mallow, lamb’s ears, catmint, coyote mint, California fuschia and penstemons, to name just a few. Succulents are another good choice for Southern California!
While softscape plants should be chosen to fit the California climate, hardscaping ideas are practically limitless. Rock walls, patios, paths, and boulders are some design elements that can be used. Paths that wander through your garden are inviting and a wonderful way to create depth perception.
Pathways can be made of flagstone, concrete, pea gravel, brick, bark, or cobblestone to name a few. Raised planters and divisions can add interest and bring beauty to your design. Adding a water feature with a recirculating pump, like a pond or a birdbath, attracts wildlife and brings tranquility. A garden bench, swing, and patio furniture invites you to relax in your garden. In addition, decks and gazebos are wonderful design elements that can extend your living space into your landscape.
Our professional team at Pacific Vista Landscape Services are experts creating softscape and hardscape combinations. We can help design, build, and plant your perfect waterwise garden oasis!
Updated: Oct 26, 2021
Beautiful landscape can add value and appeal to public areas. Choosing the right combination of plants and hardscapes, along with proper irrigation and drainage, makes for a successful landscaping project that can be inviting, visually pleasing and last for years.
Whether you choose Pacific Vista Landscape Services, or another company, make sure to choose one that will be able to employ skilled horticulturalists and landscape professionals to help combine natural elements with man-made elements to create a beautiful commercial green space.
Hiring a company with a range of services can be easier than hiring subcontractors for each part. In addition to creating new projects, we also can renovate existing commercial outdoor areas and update irrigation systems. A well rounded commercial landscape company should offer the following:
Complete Landscape design
Complete Landscape construction, including hardscapes and water features
Commercial Landscape Maintenance
Commercial Irrigation Installation and Service, Including Backflow
Design & Construction
Whether starting from scratch or updating an existing area, our professionals take time to properly assess your current space. They look for issues related to erosion, drainage, health and appeal. Then they design proper drainage for the site, as well as smart irrigation systems which saves money by only watering when needed. In addition, we can update older systems with new technology.
We can also create a silva cell, an underground infrastructure system that provides stormwater management. Another great water saving option is bioretention beds, in which a shallow basin is filled with native plants specifically chosen to capture and treat runoff. Dry river beds are also visually nice and add directional run-off which is helpful to get water where you need it.
We then construct or renovate your space using these elements and add chosen amenities that will enhance the property, like pathways and outdoor living areas. Our horticulturists then choose plants that make the most sense for your design and conditions. Commercial landscape design and construction includes the following:
Softscapes with Plants and Trees
Hardscapes i.e.pathways, retaining walls, decks, stairs, built-in seating
Water Features i.e. ponds, streams, fountains
Smart Irrigation
Dry River Beds
Silva Cell Systems
Bioretention Beds
Fencing
Planters
BBQ Area
Fire Pit
Dog Park
Playground
Bike / Running Path
Outdoor Gym
Once your project is built or renovated, we offer a commercial maintenance plan to keep your property looking good! We can add seasonal flowers, prune trees, and check that everything is the way it should be on a regular basis. We take care of many commercial properties in Southern California, including schools, hospitals, condos, HOAs, resorts, and museums. Contact us or call us today at 661-222-7525 and see what we can do for you!
Drought conditions in California are forcing property owners to come up with solutions for landscaping that are not only drought-tolerant but also attractive. There are many low-water plants, trees and ground covers that can be used and this is referred to as 'softscape'. In addition, the use of 'hardscape' landscaping includes the use of non-living elements to create pathways, patios and other areas of functional space. Using softscape in combination with hardscape is a creative solution that can produce a beautiful and interesting garden and also save valuable water resources and money.
There are many choices of drought tolerant plants for softscaping that can thrive in Southern California. Mediterranean varieties as well as native plants are among the best suited for our climate. Lavender, thyme and oregano are plants that add beauty and fragrance to a garden and require very little water. Yarrow and California poppy are native plants that also have lower water requirements. Bougainvillea can provide a lovely infusion of color and height on a trellis. Milkweed is a wonderful native plant that helps Monarch butterflies. There are many ornamental grasses like sheep fescue and deergrass, that provide texture and color and can be a great substitute for lawns. Some examples of perennials that have lower water requirements are: mallow, lamb’s ears, catmint, coyote mint, California fuschia and penstemons, to name just a few. Succulents are another good choice for Southern California!
While softscape plants should be chosen to fit the California climate, hardscaping ideas are practically limitless. Rock walls, patios, paths, and boulders are some design elements that can be used. Paths that wander through your garden are inviting and a wonderful way to create depth perception. Pathways can be made of flagstone, concrete, pea gravel, brick, bark, or cobblestone to name a few. Raised planters and divisions can add interest and bring beauty to your design. Adding a water feature with a recirculating pump, like a pond or a birdbath, attracts wildlife and brings tranquility. A garden bench, swing, and patio furniture invites you to relax in your garden. In addition, decks and gazebos are wonderful design elements that can extend your living space into your landscape. Our professional team at Pacific Vista Landscape Services are experts creating softscape and hardscape combinations. We can help design, build, and plant your perfect waterwise garden oasis!
