Inspired by the original 100-year-old stonework on the property, Farmscape designed a garden that honors the site’s history while adding color, structure, and year-round usefulness. Bright pottery, low-water perennials, and layered plantings create a lively contrast to the stone backdrop and thrive in the Oakland Hills’ cool, foggy summers.

The backyard is now a lush, multi-use space where the homeowners can grow food, enjoy the cool summer climate, and observe the wildlife that moves through the garden. Berries form a beautiful and productive perimeter throughout the property, paired with fruit trees — apples, figs, and Santa Rosa plums — and raised beds that provide enough vegetable production for the family to harvest all year long.

A once-flat, unused section of lawn was transformed into a recessed rain garden that captures runoff from the roof and hardscapes. Seating areas, pathways, and a vibrant pollinator garden invite the homeowners to enjoy the space daily, whether watching birds and butterflies or taking in the misty hillside views.

In the front yard, mature canopy trees made edible planting challenging, so Farmscape designed a native, low-water meadow composed of grasses and grass-like plants with subtle, seasonal flowers. The result is a calm, textural landscape that complements the home, conserves water, and supports local ecology.