California Friendly® Garden Design Ideas
Need Inspiration?
Below you will find over many local Orange County gardens that are all demonstrating California Friendly elements. We’ve organized this page by style of garden. If you need additional design or plant help, please stop by Roger’s Gardens and one of our many staff can help you.
Arid Tropical
This style employs bold textures and strong forms to convey a sense of drama and excitement in a landscape. These are generally low maintenance gardens, but require skill in plant selection, layout and plant coordination to achieve their dramatic effects.
California Native
Our gardens are in California, so shouldn’t the plants in our gardens celebrate the nature all around us? A California Native garden doesn’t have to be completely native plants, but should have a strong representation of our local flora. Understanding the groupings of our native plants by habitat, water requirements and soils is key to a successful native garden.
California Cottage
This style employs bold textures and strong forms to convey a sense of drama and excitement in a landscape. These are generally low maintenance gardens, but require skill in plant selection, layout and plant coordination to achieve their dramatic effects.
Modern
Modern and contemporary designs take plant form to an extreme. Plants, containers, walls and paths are almost an extension of the home. Often minimal in planting, each form plant form becomes a show in itself. Maintenance is often also minimal. An artful eye and perfect plant placement are required to execute this style.
Southwest
A Southwestern landscape interpretation can be quite effective in much of Southern California, especially when the architecture of a home or neighborhood supports this look. Tile roofs, relaxed plant groupings and even Spanish Colonial design elements are hallmarks of this regionally important style.
Succulents
Succulents are incredibly popular today as garden ingredients. Their forms and colors are almost limitless and their easy of care and low water requirements have made them favorites of many homeowners. Attention to plant size and compatible water and exposure needs are important when incorporation an extensive use of succulents.
Traditional
Many gardeners enjoy a more neutral style, with a less apparent theme. Traditional landscapes allow great flexibility in plant choices and blend well in a myriad of communities. Often this design style is a safe place to start if you are looking to move to a more California Friendly garden, but don’t want to make dramatic changes or take too many risks.