The garden is framed by the dark adobe corridor. We placed a bubbling urn at the terminus of view as a focal point.The garden begins to reveal itself once the visitor emerges from the tunnel-like breezeway.The urn is set on a buried water reservoir. A small pump recirculates the water from the reservoir to the urn.Turning to the right, the patio and spa area become visible.This is a lovely, peaceful place to dine any time of the day.Looking to the right we see the low stone wall and steps, and a corner of the old adobe house.The spa is placed flush with the surrounding soil so that it almost disappears. Sitting at eye level with the flowers is quite dramatic.Stone steps lead from the patio to the spa.Notice how the New Zealand Flax is color-keyed to the fence and other details. It also contrasts nicely with the Mexican tulip poppies.The spa is nestled in a flower garden, almost disappearing in a sea of blooms.The fence is made of corrugated steel panels. We treated them with an acid wash to take away some of the rustproof coating and allow them to begin to change color.The owner painted these Adirondack chairs a lovely blue to add a spot of color.WIthout mortar, the cracks in the wall support a diversity of life.Potted plants add a lot to a garden, bringing new forms, textures, and levels to enjoy.The movement and sound of water are an essential element in any garden. It’s easy to add a water feature like this one.The pavement is made of tumbled concrete pavers, laid on a sand base. They can be reused indefinitely and last pretty much forever, making them very sustainable.This lobelia volunteered in the cracks between stones.
