Garden Photo of the Day

Jodie’s no-lawn entry garden in California

--AFTER-- Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Jodie Cook

Today’s photos are from Jodie Cook in California. She says, “As I was looking at some of your posts, it occurred to me that your California readers might be unaware of and interested in a lawn replacement project I recently completed.

–BEFORE–
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Jodie Cook

“I’m a Landscape Designer in southern Orange County and a number of our water districts are offering attractive rebates to encourage people to remove their lawns and replace them with unthirsty plants and water-permeable surfaces. After replacing lawns for some of my clients, I decided to take advantage of this program at my own home.

–AFTER–
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Jodie Cook

“My lawn was replaced with kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos ‘Amber Velvet’), lavender scallops (Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi), Santa Barbara daisy (Erigeron ‘Spindrift’–reported to be a non-selfseeding cultivar), and blue fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’).”

–BEFORE–
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Jodie Cook

I love it, Jodie!! It must have been a pain to drag out the lawn mower for that little patch of grass, anyway, and the new garden is beautiful. As an east coast gardener, I’m just starting to understand the no lawn trend. It’s not quite as important in the Northeast, but in California it must make a huge difference in water usage. Bravo.

–AFTER–
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Jodie Cook

**Check out more of Jodie’s work on her website HERE.**

–BEFORE–
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Jodie Cook

***Hey everyone–we’re heading into winter, when GPOD submission tend to be a bit scarce. If you still want to see a new and exciting garden every single weekday in your inbox, do your part and show us YOUR garden! You can email photos to either [email protected] or [email protected]. Be sure to tell me where you live and tell me a bit about yourself and your garden. And the more photos the better! Thanks!!***

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View 12 comments

Comments

  1. tractor1 11/08/2012

    Perfectly sophisticated... does exactly what it's supposed to do, no more, no less. Kudos!

  2. User avater
    meander_michaele 11/08/2012

    Jodie, after reading the philosophy section on your website, today's pictures show you to be a landscaper who walks the walk of what you espouse. The color tones of the very handsome vase and the decorative sea of pebbles upon which it sits display soothing harmony with the lovely porch of your home...very nice.

  3. pattyspencer 11/08/2012

    Would look terribly out of place in my yard but I think it's stunning! Does (or will) anything go into the large urn? Is it meant to be a fountain or planter or just "as is"?

  4. User avater
    Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 11/08/2012

    Such an improvement! It serves the purpose of rest for the eye that the grass served, but adds such a great focal point and helps the environment to boot! Looks like you do great work.

  5. user-7006916 11/08/2012

    Oh how lovely! That agave nestled against the urn is the picture of elegance.

  6. kzoocookie 11/08/2012

    What a pleasure to see this lovely space when coming and going!

  7. sheila_schultz 11/08/2012

    Beautifully designed, Jodie, and I'm definitely with Antonio when it comes to the agave next to the urn. The positioning is brilliant!

  8. Jodiepcook 11/08/2012

    Thanks so much for the wonderful comments!

    pattyspencer: I had originally intended for the urn to be a bubbler fountain, but once I placed it I liked the look of it empty. For Halloween I put some long purple twigs with fuschia-colored LED lights on them and it looked very festive. It occurred to me that I could use this urn for seasonal displays, so I'm planning to put some white or silver twigs with white lights in the urn for the upcoming holiday season.

  9. greenthumblonde 11/08/2012

    I love it. Really well executed. I'm working toward the same concept in my Florida home.

  10. valleygardener 11/08/2012

    Terrific design! I know you will like erigeron "Spindrift". I have it in my California English cottage garden in front of the roses. It hasn't reseeded and makes nice clumps. There is a down time for blooms but not for long out here in California.
    I also love the idea of the seasonal accents to your tall pot. Thanks for sharing this no lawn alternative. I am trying out things to downsize my lawn as well so any ideas are a plus.

  11. greengrowler 11/08/2012

    Jodie, your design is a study in stunning elegance - LOVE the empty urn. I love bubbler fountains, yet changing out seasonal decor in that gorgeous urn keeps it fresh. Your slate patio is fabulous as well. Thanks for the inspiration!

  12. pattyspencer 11/09/2012

    Jodiepcook - I love the empty look too and I love your ideas for making it a "seasonal" urn.

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