Mid-Century Modern / Farmhouse

Hundreds of these homes are renovated each year in Southern California.

Although formal hardscape design is preferred by homeowners, keep in mind that design may combine or mix modern/formal styles with traditional/informal styles into one garden theme. However, most of these yards are formal in appearance. Materials are ornamental with refined textures: stainless steel, smooth stone, tile, finished and composite wood.

Homeowners renovate and restore Mid-Century Homes with white paint and dark trim while still maintaining a bit of a rustic look. Colors are to remain muted and plant foliage that is light green, gray, silver, and pale blue are a mainstay of these gardens. Planting bed areas should be well-defined, straight, and/or geometric in shape.

Mid-Century Modern & Farmhouse Garden Elements: Muted colors with clean lines are effective. Designing with large concrete paver pads set with decorative gravel bands are excellent choices for principal paths. Low split-rail wood or vinyl fencing is a nice touch.

Mid-Century Modern & Farmhouse Plants: Plants should be designed in dense, mass groupings emphasizing grasses and grass-like shrubs with a whimsical character. However, sometimes my clients prefer a minimal plant theme with spacing between plants. The plant selection depends on the hardscape layout.

Foundation shrubs may be pruned into formal shapes. The layout of the yard also reflects patterns, geometric groupings with straight rows and an obvious use of symmetry. In other words, a less natural look.

Single-story homes require patio size trees in front yard. Plant selections include Crape Myrtle, Silver Sheen Pittosporum, Strawberry Tree, Japanese Maple (shade areas only), Dwarf Magnolia, and Forest Pansy Redbud. Shrub choices include Boxwood, Dwarf Myrtus and Eugenia for formal shapes and low hedges. Foundation shrubs are: Little John Dwarf Bottlebrush. Indian Hawthorn, Dwarf Lavender and Salvia, Cuphea, Lily Turf, and upright sword foliage like Kangaroo Paws and New Zealand Flax. Succulents such as dwarf Agave, Aloe, and Echeveria should be used as accent shrubs.

Grasses in specific areas can be effective, keeping in mind they need to be cut back every year. Perennial grasses such as Blue Fescue and Mondo Grass (shade) work well.