MIRIDAE

WOODLAND RETREAT

BACKYARD
Davis, CA | 2019

The concept for this shady backyard was built on the garden's existing raised perimeter planting beds and extends this high ground farther out into the yard to form new spaces for the residents and for plants. This zone between the high and low ground takes inspiration from the idea of an “ecotone,” which is an ecological term that describes a region of transition between two biological communities. In this case, a backyard-scale ecotone is activated with boulders and changes in planting, materiality, and topography. The proposed design encourages the residents to occupy this space—seating areas are nestled into the boulder transition zone and plants are placed between the rock crevices. An immersive path navigates through the lower garden and leads to each of the new gathering areas. The result is a playful yet functional design that encourages engagement and exploration of the new shade-friendly landscape.

HIGHLIGHTED PLANTS

Erigeron glaucus ‘Wayne Roderick’ (Wayne Roderick Daisy)
Geranium biokovo (Cranesbill)
Helleborus orientalis (Hellebore)
Heuchera maxima (Island Alumroot)
Heuchera ‘Rosada’ (Rosada Alumroot)
Iris douglasiana 'Canyon Snow' (Canyon Snow Iris)

Images by Miridae