Hillside Flower, Vegetable Garden Design

These homeowners were looking to retire.  They wanted a garden with multiple seating, dining and relaxing areas with space for flower and vegetable gardening, and privacy from the downhill neighbors.

The existing split level garden consisted of a large upper deck and lawn, and lower concrete slab, lawn and a couple of wooden raised beds.

The new design included multiple raised beds on both levels, all made of brick. The existing upper deck was connected to a new redwood observation deck by a flagstone path. The upper lawn was replaced and a new bed for shade plants was installed, along with irrigation and low voltage lighting under the existing redwood tree. A long brick raised bed was built along the  side of the upper garden and planted with flowers.

The lower garden was transformed by removal of the old concrete slab, hot tub and debris, which was replaced by a new flagstone patio with built in round gas fire pit. A custom arbor was built for rose and Clematis plants. A low brick raised bed contains shade plants and a tiered fountain.  A custom-built redwood staircase connects the lower garden to the upper deck. A small raised brick flower bed was built in front of the staircase.

The hillside between the upper and lower levels was terraced with brick raised beds for flower and vegetable gardening. Irrigation and lighting were installed and the soil was prepared for the homeowners to add their choice of flowers and vegetables. A free-form flower bed was added to soften the lines of the lawn. Landscape lighting, a bird bath and flowering plants were added to this bed.

The garden now has three distinct seating areas and a solid structure of brick raised beds for flower and vegetable gardening.