Backyard Patio Living Wall in Los Gatos California

Written By Florafelt Living Wall Systems

Florafelt Pocket Living Wall by Richard Held of Mediterrasian Landscapes, Los Gatos, California. Sept 2024.

We are so excited about living wall project in Los Gatos, California. This project really shows what can happen when great design meets a hands-on approach.

Florafelt Pocket Living Wall by Richard Held of Mediterrasian Landscapes, Los Gatos, California. May 2024.

The project is an outdoor living wall, measuring 14 feet wide by 4 feet high, built directly on a concrete landscape wall. The homeowner, Howard Zolla, did an incredible job with the installation, taking on the role of contractor himself. The design was created by Richard Held of Mediterrasian Landscapes, who selected a beautiful and interesting plant palette. Lynda at Florafelt, also helped Howard along the way with guidance and support.

Living Wall plant design rendering by Richard Held of Mediterrasian Landscapes, Los Gatos, California.

Plant design layout using an Excel spreadsheet by Richard Held of Mediterrasian Landscapes, Los Gatos, California.

Richard's design used a variety of plants to create a living tapestry with different textures, colors, and forms. Here's a closer look at the plants they chose:

  • Dryopteris erythrosora (Autumn Fern): This fern adds a coppery color to the wall with its new fronds before they mature to a deep green.

  • Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Golden Japanese Forest Grass): Known for its graceful, arching shape and bright, variegated foliage, this grass brings a beautiful sense of movement.

  • Polistichum tsus-simense (Korean Rock Fern): With its delicate, lacy fronds, this plant provides a fine, intricate texture.

  • Asarum caudatum (Wild Ginger): This adds large, lush, heart-shaped leaves that give the wall a full, rich base layer.

  • Lamium maculatum 'Orchid Frost' (Orchid Frost Dead Nettle): This groundcover is a standout with its silvery leaves and cascading habit.

  • Oxalis oregana 'Klamath Ruby' (Oregon Oxalis): A pop of deep color comes from this plant's stunning burgundy foliage.

  • Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop' (Black Scallop Ajuga): This plant provides a dramatic contrast with its dark, almost black, scalloped leaves.

  • Bergenia cordifolia 'Winterglow': Known for its large, leathery leaves, this plant adds a bold, structural element to the wall.

It's truly inspiring to see how this team effort resulted in such a vibrant and thriving living wall. We're so impressed with the outcome.

Richard Held
Mediterrasian Landscapes
Landscape Contractor
San Francisco Bay Area

Florafelt Living Wall Systems
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