Jeff Doubet captures new Spanish garden landscape design photos + ideas while visiting with a talented local designer at her beautiful Santa Barbara, CA. home. Scroll to learn more about the drought tolerant plants and hardscape materials thoughtfully incorporated into this stunning local Spanish-style home and landscape.
Before I share the helpful landscaping tips I learned, I thought I would share the backstory for this very special Designer Spotlight episode.
Evolution of a Spanish Garden Landscape
For almost 25 years, my wife Lori and I have walked or jogged past this home. Until recently, it had remained a time capsule from the 1980s- untouched in so many ways. Then one day, the home suddenly sold… twice! With each new owner, significant improvements were made. It has now been transformed into a world-class property.
This Spanish garden landscape project began a couple of years earlier as a real estate flip. Dana and her husband had been searching for a Santa Barbara home to buy. When the newly remodeled Spanish courtyard home came on the market, they quickly went to see it.
Upon arrival, they were pleasantly interested. It reminded them of a peaceful resort, and the modern interior design features were clean and appealing. They figured furnishings, art and decor would go a long way in making it their own.
The basic essentials of the property aligned with their vision for creating a stunning indoor-outdoor Spanish compound. Although that new landscaping had been started, there was great potential for further development. Refining and adding details to the fresh landscape was appealing to Dana’s designer eye (and green thumb).
So the couple bought it and immediately began planning their next steps.
Spanish Garden Landscape Design in Beautiful Santa Barbara
The relaxing Spanish garden landscape was enhanced and refined while they worked at improving both the front and back yards. The couple designed and had a pool built in the back. More hardscape areas and final details were installed out front.
All of these upscale improvements were fun to watch. When I met the new homeowners, I learned more. Dana had spent time admiring quality Spanish-style homes and resorts throughout California while she explored ways to improve her own landscape.
Living in the heart of Santa Barbara, she developed a list of local classic and iconic plants, as well as those already doing well on the property. She ultimately brought in a lot more plants, and made it a point to group many of them together in clusters.
Favorite Plant Lists for Spanish Garden Landscapes
Groupings of Agave, Lavender, Mexican Sage, Olive trees, Bougainvillea, Jasmine, Bird of Paradise and Barrel Cactus are all inviting and pleasing to the eye.
These arrangements- with their layers of textures and color combinations pair beautifully with this Santa Barbara Spanish-style courtyard home.
The previous investor and design team had installed these thick slabs of Cherokee Creek flagstone as monolithic steps. Pea gravel was installed as an inexpensive, yet attractive way to create a high-end, informal pathway leading to the gated Spanish courtyard.
Ironically, one of the first steps Dana made to her landscape was removing the existing irrigation system. Besides an occasional hand watering, it was important to her that all plants would be able to survive on their own.
Dana then expanded on the water conservation idea by introducing more pea gravel in areas of the landscape. Favored succulents were added to the existing plant layout, fully building out those textures. This is an extraordinary example of how to create a drought tolerant Spanish-style landscape in Santa Barbara.
To further enhance the landscape design, Dana incorporated more local sandstone rocks and boulders. They help create a stronger overall visual impact within the landscape. They are also functional, in the sense they help with water retention.
An oversized pot with bougainvillea is artistically positioned on the unique two story corner balcony. Large black planters showcase a pair of olive trees that flank the front entrance.
A fancy fountain sits within a bed of Mexican sage and gravel. A whimsical design element that works well with this contemporary modern Spanish courtyard home.
More Spanish Garden Design Resources
For those looking for additional Spanish garden design resources, check out Private Gardens of Santa Barbara. A coffee table picture book by local Santa Barbara landscape architect Margie Grace. I purchased the book last year and have gained new insights from it.
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Scroll to explore other Spanish garden and landscape design resources, products and additional links to Spanish-style home and landscape projects. Discover fresh, inspirational ideas for your own Spanish garden, right here in beautiful Santa Barbara!
Well friend, this wraps another site visit episode in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. I hope you enjoyed learning how to infuse more Santa Barbara Style into your own Spanish interior design project. Scroll to explore more helpful links and resources for designing and building your own Spanish-style home and landscape.
