Home Architecture Talk
What kind of plant life can I use for landscape in a beach house in Southern California?
This isn't a real house... I am an majoring in architecture and I am currently working on a beach house project, in which I have to build a scale model.... My site is in San Diego, California... I plan on designing a house with a large backyard garden with palm trees and other trees and plants. My question is, what kind of trees and plants can I use in southern California, specifically plants that will be able to handle well in a beach environment? Keep in mind that it is a beach house, with direct access to the beach... I want to us a variety of bushes and trees that are big enough to create some privacy around the house since my site has a 6' public access walk right next to it...... I want plants that range from 1' tall to 8' tall....... I plan on using miniature palms trees scattered around the house as well... I specifically want to use mainly nice looking colorful bushes, and trees, and some nice exotic plants.... Nothing to rare, keep in mind that I need to find miniature models of these plants for my concept model. :) The main reason why I ask for your help is because I am trying to order miniature fake plastic scaled trees and plants for my concept model. I need specific species of plants, bushes, and trees in order to know what type of mini tree to order online.... I not looking for flowers and stuff like that, I prefer plants, bushes, and trees.... My house will be a light colored modern looking house, most likely white with irregular shapes, and high glass panel windows to take advantage of the Pacific Ocean view.... Im just adding that so you can visualize what Im trying to do, :) Thank you so much for your help in advance... I plan on transferring to a highly ranked architecture school, and I want this model to impress when I make a portfolio out of it.
Public Comments
- One of the most versatile plants you could use in landscaping around a beach home is the Silver Buttonwood Tree (which can also be shaped into a hedge, if you plant a row of them, or into a pretty bush, placed in random areas for color and form). It is drought tolerant, loves sunshine, and weathers the salty and often breezy conditions of a beach environment. Plus, it has very pretty leaves which have a distinctive texture and coloring that make it quite a standout in the landscape. This decorative tree is commonly used in both residential and commercial landscaping in Hawaii, because it is so easy to maintain. If you know of the the Yahoo Plantswap Group, you may be able to get cuttings of this tree to grow for yourself from members who often will share what they are growing for trade, swap or, often, just the cost of shipping. I've seen this plant offered in the group, and if you want to check out the Yahoo Plantswap Group for yourself, here is the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PlantSwap/ Here are links ( below, which will give you more info about this tree, as well as pics to view of it as both a bush and/or a tree). Another beach plant that is grown easily from cuttings is the Scaveola Frutens, aka Naupaka (in Hawaii). This plant always has green leaves, and often has pretty white flowers, is drought tolerant and weathers beachy conditions well, including salt spray and drought. Plus, it can survive in partial shade quite nicely, although it prefers sunshine. Here is a link for more info about this plant: http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:H2v3DODOtaQJ:hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/SCAFRUA.PDF+Scaevola+frutescens+in+california&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiNIdvroPgE-zccNWW3c0B9HU0zDLd4JhALW1rZ1G8aFIbF_f-dzS2rVSHkr8_Rf7Ggnt4ssMDcnjX2m6AHMzWLPGIxkifMssMEOoeK4UG5kYtOmMkKEG3LV8sEYG7BJ747P6Ut&sig=AHIEtbRyOhQESwcRsLj1q0jYCjzzuxj_5Q Good luck on your project! It sounds like fun, and what a great way to utilize your creativity!
