Grasslands Contemporary: A Fusion of Function, Beauty, and Biodiversity
A thoughtfully designed garden embracing California’s natural beauty and agrarian heritage.
Submitted by: Monica, CA, Zone 9b (Monica Perrone Landscape Architecture)
Photos by: Rachel Weill
This bespoke site design, which I define as Grasslands Contemporary, creates a comfortable, versatile, and textured setting for year-round enjoyment. After removing 38 trees from our 0.42-acre property, a resource-conscious garden inspired by the grasslands of California’s Central Valley took shape. The design emphasizes strong lines, order, and consistency, utilizing both inherited and newly added materials. Privatized edges and a focus on native flora help support biodiversity throughout the garden.
In view from the primary living spaces of our circa-2005 home, a raised spa—affectionately known as “the duck blind”—sits alongside a 16’ x 38’ black-bottom play pool. This water feature, resembling a wetland, reflects the sky and its birds in flight.
To enhance function and aesthetics, we introduced 2,000 square feet of Italian porcelain pavers, complemented by gravel pathways and light-etched concrete surfaces. A 30-foot-long, 8-foot-tall brick wall was added for noise abatement.
Agrarian influences can be seen throughout the landscape, including a citrus-filled side yard, two raised garden beds, and an array of easy-to-maintain fruit trees. The garden’s color palette embraces earthy neutrals, warm yellows, and soft pinks.
I grew up in Tulare County in a dairy farming family and met my husband at the University of California, Davis. As an avid waterfowl hunter, he shares my passion for wetlands conservation. This love of nature is reflected throughout our home, from the copper mallard weather vane perched atop our roof to Luis, a bronze frog sculpture we discovered at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, who now resides in our produce yard as a fun and fitting addition.
