KAREN WIGHT -- No place like home

I love to garden, but landscaping is an entirely different monster. I

have learned the hard way about grade, drainage, soil amendments,

hardscape and irrigation. By the way, learning the hard way means

failure.

A little foresight goes a long way in the garden. Paying a

professional to, literally, do the dirty work will pay off in spades.

Sorry.

I inherited the hardscape and irrigation in the house we live in, but

when we did a backyard overhaul, I found out that there is a complicated

process that needs to be followed to insure landscape success.

What I once took for granted, I now hold in awe. Yards that have the

right slope, sprinkler systems, timers, up-lights, plant material

appropriate to exposure and style, root barriers and seasonal color are

an amazing sight to behold.

Recently, several local landscaping projects were given recognition

for outstanding design and installation achievements from their peers.

The California Landscape Contractor’s Assn. honored 20 local

properties, including residences and commercial projects in Balboa,

Corona del Mar, Newport Beach and Newport Coast, for landscape

excellence. Two of Orange County’s first-place winners were in our own

backyard.

First place in the “small residential” category went to Richard Taylor

Associates for its work on the Rachael Miller residence on Balboa Island,

designed by Greg Grisamore.

This small but lush yard is a sight to behold. You feel like you’re in

a tropical paradise just by walking by. With a combination of heights,

texture and colors, this design gives a diminutive space a big impact.

First place in the “medium design and build” category was Putnam

Construction & Landscaping for the Brombal residence in Newport Beach,

designed by Nancy Putnam.

This backyard features brick paths and pads with low maintenance plant

material and a large variety of colors and textures. The backyard

includes an outdoor fireplace and dining area.

Congratulations to all.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs Sundays.