A Small SF Garden That Lives Large
An urban garden with limited space for planting doesn't have to feel sparse or cramped. Check out what designer Christopher Reynolds pulled off here, transforming a narrow SF yard into a graceful, peaceful oasis.
Christopher, a long-time member of the FGG family (a staffer in the early years!), has a flawless design sense. We love the way he used two symmetrical king palms to frame this space, making it truly feel like an outdoor room.
The high, compact crowns of the palms form a kind of leafy roof more delicate than any trellis. And to punctuate the green, Cordyline 'Electric Pink' complements the coral pop of a Fermob bistro table and chairs.
A bed of monstera and cycads forms a lush, inviting cradle for a vignette of heated furniture by Galanter & Jones.
The large monstera specimens, with vines growing behind them, encircle the king palm trunks to give the seating area a luxurious tropical vibe.
Let's face it: Here in SF, the weather isn't always friendly enough to sit outside; planting yourself a garden view is a great way to enjoy nature from a cozy indoor spot.
Using tall, narrow palms along the border of this garden corner creates another sweet seating area that feels spacious and welcoming but still lush with plants.
The living sculpture on this trellis (below) shows Christopher’s artistry with plants, in this case bromeliads, tillandsias, and other epiphytes. These plants can be mounted together in formations that highlight their natural exuberance and elegance.
A bed of echeveria at the feet of a palm planting makes for a lovely (and low-maintenance) ground cover (above). Below, Chamaedorea plumosa and Phoenix roebelenii, planted in close succession with Cercis ‘Forest Pansy,’ create an entry path rich with movement and texture.
Want to see more of Christopher’s sophisticated work? Click over to Reynolds-Sebastiani Design Services.
All of these gorgeous photos are by Caitlin Atkinson Photography.
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