** This blog is a follow up to Fleur de Ville – Part One so feel free to read that beforehand for more context **
In our last blog, we introduced the Fleur de Ville project and went over the preliminary work done to begin the task of remodeling the six cul-de-sac islands within the community. Now that we have started with a firm foundation for the whole project, we can dive more into depth with the details for each area. As with the work previously discussed, it was important that I take into account all of the existing conditions surrounding the islands as well as include new elements of Mediterranean style to help us achieve our design goals.
The first cul-de-sac island we decided to tackle was Papillion Court. To complement the already existing concrete banding surrounding the island, we began by adding four equal arcs of aluminum edge filled with decomposed granite and Arborvitae. This site in particular housed an existing trio of Olive trees that we decided to incorporate within our remodel plans. To enhance the beauty of this trio, a plan was created to address how annual aesthetic pruning should be executed. The finishing touch for this site includes four accent lights to illuminate the newly added Arborvitae.
The next cul-de-sac island, named Muguet Court, was occupied by three large Redwood trees. To add to the beauty of these previously existing trees, we allowed the Redwood duff to remain on open ground atop of bark mulch and illuminated the trees with three new accent lights. As a way to provide interest on the ground level of the island, we added clusters of Star Jasmine groundcover.
Next stop on our road to remodeling is the cul-de-sac island by the name Jacinthe Court. The design vision for this site included Myoporum as a cover for most of the ground circling the already established but now newly thinned and shaped Live Oak. In addition, three accent lights were installed to uplight the Oak’s canopy and relate to the island’s existing concrete banding.
Similarly to Muguet Court, this island named Bouquet Court also housed three pre-existing Redwood trees. Three accent lights were added to illuminate these Redwoods and the duff as well as the tree litter/debris was allowed to remain on open ground atop bark mulch to make this design as practical as possible without sacrificing any beauty. Due to the size of the pre-existing roots of the Redwoods, a stump grinder was suggested to make planting on the ground level easier. Additionally, clusters of Loropetalum c., Chinese Fringe Flower were specified to add fullness and relate to the Fringe Flower plantings at the homes within the court. An upkeep plan for these fringe flower shrubs was drafted to maintain a loose, soft effect all year round.
Unique for its previously existing four sided concrete banding, Paquerette Circle is another site in need of a transformation. To ensure the safety and longevity of this island, we needed to remove the five problematic existing Liquidamber due to the anticipated high level of root damage to paving. Rigid aluminum was added to create a planting area sized approximately one quarter of the island which also served to complement the existing concrete banding. Three standard form Keith Davey Male Chinese Pistache were then placed and decomposed granite was added to fill the area beneath them. To complete this design, three Arborvitae were added together along with Purple Lantana as ground cover beneath them and three accent lights installed to illuminate this trio.
Last but not least, the final island that we worked on in this project was called Jolie Pre Circle. All along the island, aluminum edging was added in four equal arcs to benefit the existing concrete banding as well as to frame the four sections of Tiny Tower trios and decomposed granite. To further make these trios stand out, four accent lights were installed to illuminate the thinned and shaped Valley Oak’s canopy. On the rest of the open ground, Purple Lantana was planted as a cover.
I hope that you enjoyed reading this project profile and gained some more insight on what it is like to work as a Landscape Architect in our Central Valley. From designing to prep work to eventually seeing our plans become a reality, this entire project was a pleasant experience. Although it took a lot of hard work and time, it is so rewarding to know that I was able to satisfy my client and a whole neighborhood of people with the end result. Overall, I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work on this project and create not one but six amazing new islands for this local community.
