2025 Contest Winner

Homeowner	Karen F. and Tom C.
Location	Santee
Yard	Front

Project

At the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Santee is a colorful and artistic water-efficient landscape belonging to Karen Fleck and Tom Clarke. It stands out as an inviting modern space, with bold geometric shapes and a variety of textures.

Karen and Tom decided to relandscape their grass yard in 2020, hoping to lower their water usage and spend less time on maintenance. While designing their new landscape, they were struck by what a lovely space it was. They decided to completely reimagine their use of the space so they could spend more time enjoying it.

When choosing plants, Karen and Tom chose low water plants with high heat tolerance, perfect for hot Santee summers. They incorporated pieces of art, flowing them seamlessly into the landscape. To maintain the precise placement of plants, they chose dwarf varieties that wouldn’t spread even as they matured.

The space is designed for enjoying and interacting with the landscape, featuring a covered patio with comfortable seating. Wide stairs allow for up close plant viewing and easy access for pruning and fertilizing.

For efficient irrigation, they installed three independent and overlapping drip irrigation lines, which are adjusted seasonally. Each line delivers a different amount of water, so every plant can receive the precise amount of water it needs. The design also incorporates gentle sloping which encourages rainwater to flow to the plants.

The couple now has a livable space that is an inviting place to relax. They spend time nearly every day outside, watching the birds and butterflies that enjoy their water efficient landscape.

Plants