This Penngrove property presented a unique opportunity to create a multi-level garden that blended outdoor living spaces, water features, and beautiful plantings across three distinct elevations. Surrounded by mature redwoods and set on approximately one acre, the property offered both challenges and tremendous possibilities.
One of the primary design goals for Details Landscape Art was to connect the front, side, and backyard areas while creating graceful transitions between the various levels of the property.
A Multi-Level Garden Begins with the Existing Landscape
The property was originally covered with scrub oak, pine seedlings, and volunteer trees. Dozens of mature redwoods formed a magnificent backdrop but also created dense shade and a carpet of fallen needles.
The first step was to call in an arborist to remove unwanted trees, stumps, and roots while preserving the mature redwoods that gave the property its character and privacy.
We limbed up the redwoods to create planting space beneath their canopies. Although redwoods continually shed needles, their stately appearance and screening value made them well worth preserving.
Creating Outdoor Living Spaces
An old rotting deck at the back door was removed to make way for a more inviting entertaining area.
We expanded the outdoor living space by constructing a series of five semicircular steps descending from the French doors to a sweeping Arizona Buckskin flagstone patio.
Semicircular flagstone steps transition this multi-level garden
This warm-toned flagstone became a unifying element throughout the landscape, appearing on patios, walkways, transition steps, and wall caps.
Multi-level garden features Buckskin flagstone patio and seat wall
Around the perimeter of the patio we built an eighteen-inch retaining wall faced with cultured stone and capped with flagstone. The wall served both as a retaining structure and as additional seating for entertaining guests.
Water Features Enhance the Multi-Level Garden
Behind the patio, a cascading waterfall begins beneath the redwoods and winds down the slope into a koi pond located just beyond the seat wall.
Waterfall cascades into koi pond
The sound of running water adds a peaceful element to the garden while creating a natural connection between the different elevations.
Low-voltage lighting highlights the waterfall and surrounding plantings, allowing the garden to be enjoyed long after sunset.
The shady slope surrounding the waterfall was planted with Japanese maples, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, pieris, mondo grass, and other shade-loving plants that thrive beneath mature redwoods.
A Lower Garden Creates Another Destination
Flagstone steppingstone stairs lead from the main patio down to the side yard, where a new lawn area provides open space and visual relief.
Lower part of multi-level garden with large lawn area
Bordering the lawn is a perennial garden and an intimate flagstone patio framed by an L-shaped three-tier redwood arbor with lattice screens.
Creative corner arbor with lattice sides
This smaller gathering space creates another destination within the landscape.
The flagstone for this patio was set on a compacted base rather than mortared to concrete, creating a more relaxed and informal appearance.
Planting Adds Color and Texture
A flagstone pathway circles through the lower garden, connecting various areas of the landscape.
Plantings include Japanese maples, Akebono flowering cherries, coleonema ‘Golden Sunset’, Japanese barberry, and large Sonoma fieldstone boulders.
One of our favorite design approaches for clients seeking low maintenance with year-round beauty is to create color through foliage rather than relying solely on flowers.
Multi-level garden features ‘color-in-the-foliage’ style pantings
The combination of gold foliage and burgundy tones creates a particularly striking effect.
Additional stone walls and pathways transition from the lower garden back toward the front entry and upper lawn area.
Lower level cultured stone wall and flagstone walkway transitions this multi-level garden
Several Japanese maples, placement boulders, and a small pass-through arbor give the entry area a subtle Asian character.
Bringing the Garden Together
A successful multi-level garden should feel cohesive rather than disconnected.
By repeating materials such as Arizona Buckskin flagstone, incorporating consistent planting themes, and creating natural transitions between elevations, this Penngrove landscape functions as one harmonious garden.
At Details Landscape Art, we take pride in creating landscapes that blend beauty, craftsmanship, and functionality. This Penngrove featured garden remains one of our favorite examples of how thoughtful design can transform a challenging property into a truly memorable outdoor environment.