Creating a garden retreat often begins with seeing possibilities where others see problems. This split-level property in northeast Santa Rosa had plenty of challenges, but it also had great potential.
The upper level of the backyard consisted of wall-to-wall lawn and an unattractive concrete paver patio with steps. The lower level was overgrown with weeds and littered with dozens of massive boulders left behind by the developer when the subdivision was built.
The bones of a beautiful garden were there—we simply had to uncover them.
A Garden Retreat Begins with Demolition
We brought in heavy equipment including tractors, backhoes, and excavators. The entire yard was regraded, and the large boulders were excavated and separated.
Rather than haul away the rock, we cleverly rearranged the boulders to form a natural retaining wall between the two levels of the property. By reshaping the terrain, we were even able to enlarge the upper level by nearly twenty feet, backfilling the area with excavated soil.
While the equipment was on site, we also demolished the old paver patio and steps. The salvaged material was later sold on Craigslist.
Every landscape presents challenges. The trick is turning those challenges into opportunities.
Hardscape Creates the Garden Retreat
Once demolition was complete, we began constructing the new landscape.
A curvilinear stamped concrete patio in a warm coffee color with gray accent
Garden retreat features stamped concrete patio
highlights became the focal point of the upper garden. Three semicircular steps 
Semicircular steps transition from home to the garden retreat
at the back door accounted for the change in elevation between the home and patio.
The steps were bullnosed by incorporating foam inserts into the concrete forms, creating a softer and more elegant finished appearance.
The homeowners chose to seal the stamped concrete, giving the patio a rich, glossy finish. We always advise clients that sealers enhance color and beauty, but may become somewhat slippery during the rainy season. Ultimately, the choice is theirs.
Planting Brings the Garden to Life
Adjacent to the patio, we installed a small lawn area surrounded by planting beds to soften the hardscape and create visual interest.
A planter between the lawn and patio provided space for a small tree, adding shade and vertical interest to the garden.
Plantings included white ‘Iceberg’ roses, nandina ‘Firepower’, lomandra ‘Breeze’, manzanita ‘Emerald Carpet’, an ‘October Glory’ red maple
‘October Glory’ scarlet maple
and a beautiful Japanese maple called ‘Beni shishihenge’.
Beautiful garden retreat plantings
The combination of evergreen structure, colorful foliage, and seasonal interest created a lush yet relatively low-maintenance landscape.
An Arbor Connects the Two Levels
At the edge of the patio, we built a small two-post, three-tier pass-through arbor constructed of con-heart redwood.
Beyond the arbor, an Arizona Buckskin flagstone steppingstone walkway provided access to the lower garden.
Arbor and flagstone walkway highlight this garden retreat
We frequently use this type of steppingstone installation as an alternative to poured concrete or mortared flagstone because it creates a more relaxed and informal feeling as the path meanders through the landscape.
The arbor added welcome vertical interest and served as a gateway connecting the two levels of the garden.
Lighting Extends the Garden Retreat into the Evening
We love adding low-voltage lighting to beautiful gardens because the landscape takes on an entirely different character after sunset.
Path lights were installed at key pedestrian intersections, while floodlights highlighted specimen trees and the arbor.
The result was an elegant nighttime setting that could be enjoyed year-round.
This project remains especially dear to us. The homeowners are wonderful people who truly appreciate quality craftsmanship, and we continue to return each December for winter pruning.
A well-designed garden should become more beautiful with time, and this East Santa Rosa garden retreat continues to do exactly that.