Redwood Shade Garden

Two towering redwood trees loom above the rear fence of this San Jose garden. The rear yard neighbor’s yard is also three feet higher.  An existing wood retaining wall had been buckled by redwood roots, so as part of this 2011 landscape renovation, a new modular Allan Block wall was designed to retain the soil. New California native plants from the redwood plant community were planted, including evergreen Coffeeberry shrubs, ground cover California Strawberry, Pacific Coast Iris, and hybrid Coral Bells. The garden also blends an existing Meyer Lemon tree and an existing Wisteria arbor.

In the front yard, new California native plants harmonize with an existing birch tree. Ceanothus ‘Diamond Heights’ has a yellow variegated leaf to brighten up the shade. Pacific Coast Iris add texture. Gray California Fuchsia will bloom in late summer, providing nectar for hummingbirds along with the pink flowering hybrid Coral Bells.