drought tolerant gravel front yard is too bare

last year

I live in Northern California in the Bay Area. I transitioned to a drought tolerant front yard and removed my front grass and replaced it with 3/8” pacific gold gravel. The gravel area is too bare and the color is lighter than expected. I plan to keep the gravel at this time. Requesting ideas for the gravel area so it is not so bare and to make the front of my house warmer. Not sure if should add stone, concrete squares or other decor…. Many thanks for your time and assistance.

Comments (20)

D Bee
last year
Congratulations on removing the grass. I applaud you and have similar aspirations. I garden in Canada so I have no real suggestions haha. But with your beautiful home I know this has lots of promise. I'd suggest a landscaper that you trust might help or a nursery that has a complementary design service as possible avenues to consider. I will be watching for your transformation. Best.
kitasei2
last year
Treat yourself to a visit to Lotus Land, near near Santa Barbara I believe, You will see how lush and exuberant a xeriscape can be. You did the right thing!
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Looking at your inspiration photos, it seems that there are groundcover-like materials that can be grown there. I'm not familiar with what they might be so can't make recommendations. But it looks like a fairly lush look is available if one chooses the right material. Before doing any planting, I'd be considering if there is any possible way to widen the entrance walk, which is considerably undersized. The house would look more upscale with a much wider walk and you could probably eliminate one step in the process, making for an improved entry experience. I'd consider removing all of the raised edging. The beds it creates are much too tightly pinched to the house. A 5' to 6' minimum bed width would be more like it. In addition, the edge itself is so thin that it cheapens the overall look of the property. A masonry bed edge should be 8" wide, or wider, in order to be in scale with a house. If the edging didn't exist, it would be easy to place foundation plants where they should go. I find myself wishing the fence that encloses the back yard didn't come so close to the front entrance. By doing so, it messes up possible planting (the blank space between the windows is asking for a small tree) and generally looks a bit utilitarian so close to the front entrance. It would be nice if the back yard entrance could be framed with an arbor, but I don't know if that's possible with the way the architecture is laid out behind the fence. It would need to be explored. In the illustration I'm showing the types of plants that could go in certain locations. It's not means to be comprehensive. It's a start.
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pricklypearcactus
last year
Your hardscape is beautiful and you have lovely plants in the beds where you did not have grass before. I think you just need to create a landscape plan for the gravel area to include drought tolerant plants that thrive in your area. If it were me, I would want to add some small to medium trees if possible to help provide shade for the house and vertical interest. I'm not a plant expert, so I would head to the nearest plant nursery for ideas. I also love the Monrovia site (plant grower) to find plant inspiration for my needs. I see they have a waterwise section.

https://www.monrovia.com/shop/by-garden-solution/waterwise.html
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
Would you ever consider sitting out there since you have nice french doors that open to that area? I would get some great patio furniture and add in a nice big water feature ( if you can have one - maybe something that is movable ) . Put a nice umbrella with the seating or a fun pergola.

Seems like it will be a great space!
Sammie J
last year
I agree with a building a nice stone patio outside of the patio doors, with a couple of chairs....
User
last year
Be the first person in your neighborhood to actually enjoy your front property to suntan or sit in the shade of an umbrella and you’ll be surprised how many people will follow suit and compliment you for what you’ve done. Use the space as extra living area.
Rose G
Original Author
last year
I will consider your ideas and consult with my local nursery. I will keep you posted when I have a plan!
Mrs. S
last year
last modified: last year
Im going to dissent, folks. What you have there, and I’m not an expert, ok, approaches what they call a heat-island. I’ve heard it called that, and I should look up a reference, (you can) but some argue this type of thing increases your front yard temps, and doesn't do much for the environment! Is your goal only to save water? I would plant a big non fruiting olive tree. You need shade! my goodness. Please investigate drought tolerant Mediterranean landscape.

The thing about what you created is that it is not only hot, it doesn’t match your house or existing hardscape, you can’t walk on it comfortably, and weeds are not going to be much fun to control through rocks and what probably is that dreadful black plastic stuff that doesnt do anything to control weeds in the long run. I dont care for it. and I live in So Cal, where we get a lot less rain than you do.

p.S. Santa Barbara is a heck of a long drive from the Bay Area and you would probably pass over 100 nice nurseries on your way.

For inspiration, check out Christian Douglas landscape design in the Bay Area, or Scott Shrader, from So Cal. You may see some pea gravel, but it is shaded by beautiful trees and thoughtful, drought tolerant design.
kitasei2
last year
I hope not! srsthetically and environmentally Aesthetically and environmentally bad idea..
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
Actually my friend lives in Phoenix and she did astro turf on her back yard - it was so nice! Her yard wound up looking something like this:
Rose G
Original Author
last year
Very nice! I need to break up the gravel a bit on my front yard.
User
last year
last modified: last year
This "heat island" can be counteracted with a pergola or some other shade structure over the gravel area. I like the idea of getting some furniture and turning this into a patio!
decoenthusiaste
last year
Here's a SF company I think.
Small San Francisco Back Landscape · More Info
Rose G
Original Author
last year
Thank you. She does very nice landscape designs. I previously contacted her and my project was too small for her. I will revisit my original designer.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
OP already has an olive tree in the raised circular planter. Personally, I would expand the planting we see in the foreground right up to the edge of a new paved patio or deck. I’d also add an appropriate small tree.
mojavemaria
last year
some big Agaves, Aloes, and or Cactus and maybe some landscape boulders would add interest and are very drought tolerant. We have octopus agave which are very sculptural, Aloe vera which flowers in spring, and Lophocereus schottii monstrous which are thornless but great looking totem cactus.
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
last year
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/realestate/gravel-gardens.html

Listen to this, it was intriguing:

https://awaytogarden.com/gravel-gardens-with-jeff-epping-of-olbrich-botanical-gardens/
PRO
Norwood Architects
last year
Would suggest that you replace the current gold gravel with dark gray to match your stone paving.
Rose G
Original Author
last year
Thank you for everyone’s helpful comments. Your input will allow a more thoughtful discussion going forward.
Jilly
last year
last modified: last year
I think the pergola ideas given are excellent, and the perfect solution.

I’d plant native ornamental grasses, as well.

drought tolerant gravel front yard is too bare

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drought tolerant gravel front yard is too bare

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