Skyline Meadow Farm
Nina Mullen transforms a large property with functional landscape design
Nina Mullen, a designer at Mullein Designs, has transformed four windswept acres in the Oakland hills into a garden that feels both wild and deliberate. The garden was designed to withstand compacted clay, relentless wind, and recurring drought, while still delivering year-round color, texture, and habitat value.
Plant Palette
The plant palette used in the transformation is carefully chosen to be resilient and low-water. It offers a master class in pairing natives with Mediterranean and drought-adapted ornamentals. According to Nina Mullen, this palette is proof that a garden built for survival can be every bit as striking as one built around abundance.
The plant palette includes a variety of plants such as 'Shell Dancer' salvia, evergreen miscanthus, and 'Yankee Point' California lilac. These plants are chosen for their ability to withstand wind and deliver year-round color and texture.
Low-Water Plants
Some of the low-water plants used in the garden include 'Blue Gem' coast rosemary, plane tree, and dwarf fountain grass. These plants are resilient and can thrive in conditions with compacted clay and recurring drought.
The following table shows some of the plants used in the garden, along with their zones:
| Plant | Zones |
|---|---|
| 'Shell Dancer' salvia | 7b-10 |
| Evergreen miscanthus | 6-9 |
| 'Yankee Point' California lilac | 8-10 |
| 'Blue Gem' coast rosemary | 9-11 |
| Plane tree | 4-9 |
| Dwarf fountain grass | 5-9 |
| Crape myrtle | 6-9 |
| Mexican marigold | 8-11 |
Foundation Planting
The foundation planting in the garden includes plants such as 'Limelight' licorice plant, 'Royal Purple' smoke bush, and 'Cousin Itt' acacia. These plants are chosen for their ability to deliver year-round color and texture.
The following table shows some of the foundation plants used in the garden, along with their zones:
| Plant | Zones |
|---|---|
| 'Limelight' licorice plant | 9-11 |
| 'Royal Purple' smoke bush | 4-8 |
| 'Cousin Itt' acacia | 9-11 |
| Miscanthus | 6-9 |
| Wall germander | 5-9 |
| Aeonium | 9-11 |
| 'Furman's Red' autumn sage | 7-11 |
| Treasure flower | 9-11 |
| Desert willow | 7-11 |
Colorful Stars
Some of the colorful stars in the garden include 'Santa Barbara' Mexican bush sage, California poppy, and 'Firebird' penstemon. These plants are chosen for their ability to deliver year-round color and thrive in conditions with hot sun and clay soil.
As reported by Fine Gardening, the garden is a testament to the fact that a garden built for survival can be every bit as striking as one built around abundance. The plant palette used in the transformation is a key factor in the garden's success, and it offers a master class in pairing natives with Mediterranean and drought-adapted ornamentals. The garden's design and plant palette are a result of Nina Mullen's expertise and vision, and it is a great example of how functional landscape design can transform a large property into a beautiful and thriving garden. The garden's ability to withstand compacted clay, relentless wind, and recurring drought makes it a great model for gardeners who face similar challenges.
