Mid-Century Ranch Garden

Hundreds of these homes are being renovated each year in Southern California. Although informal hardscape design is often preferred, please keep in mind that you can combine and mix modern/formal styles and traditional/informal styles into one garden theme.

Mid-Century Ranch Garden Elements: These yards embellish a warm, friendly, sunlit outdoor space with flowing pathways featuring stone, flagstone, decomposed granite, decorative pebble, and acid-washed (TopCast^®) concrete. If the house foundation is elevated, a wood or wood composite deck is appropriate. Split-rail fencing is effective. Entertain with casual seating featuring wooden, rustic-style furniture. Evening elements include a fire pit or fireplace with outdoor lighting featuring path lights, wash light, and well lights.

Mid-Century Ranch Garden Plants: Overall, the garden should look warm with a natural feel and flow. Plant masses of pollinator-type plants such as Dwarf Salvias and Lavenders, Coast Rosemary, and Daylilies. Accent plants include colorful grasses and shrubs with sword-like foliage for accent (Kangaroo Paw, Dianella, and Flax). Butterfly and hummingbird shrubs are typical, featuring Buddleia, Hibiscus, Daylilies, Cigar Plant, and Agapanthus.

What ranch style is my home? Keep in mind, there are several styles of single-story ranch homes: Spanish Ranch, Rambler Ranch, Storybook Ranch, Prairie Ranch, French Ranch and Colonial Ranch. For those of you who want additional information, I recommend you read the article by Mel at West | South Studio, titled, “Know Your Home: Ranch House Style @ https://west-south.com/ranch-house-style-curb-appeal/#modernranch.

Please note that single-story and two-story homes built in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and this century are NOT mid-century ranch style. These homes are considered to be “Contemporary” or “Southern California Eclectic” style, meaning that newer homes are constructed with stucco siding with a composite or shingled roof and often depict a Mediterranean/Spanish Revival/Italian Revival/Tuscany/French Revival theme.