DuBridge Landscape Architecture

Anything looks good a week after the landscaper implemented the design. One has to wait a year to get a whiff of it, and years to find out the total impact of what the landscape architect concocted. In 1996, we asked Dubridge to design the landscape for our property in Silver Creek Valley Country Club. Because we both had demanding careers, we asked him to create something ‘low maintenance’. We also informed him that the HOA had to approve all plans and that he should consult the CC&R. Frankly, we don’t know what he was thinking. He called for Loquat trees, which are disease-​prone and never seem to tire of dropping their leaves or tiny apples or both. He specified birch trees, which shed millions of seeds that land in the spa, rain gutters, on patio furniture, and ruin one’s drink. He designated carrotwood trees to frame the lawn, which shed leaves and spread surface roots, killing the grass from above and below. Next to the driveway, he envisioned purple leave plum trees, which make a mess twice a year, spread branches that scratch the cars and grow bundles of water-​sprouts if pruned. And surrounding the spa, he wanted Sequoias that reach way above the CC@R height limit, shed sprigs without interruption, and whose roots crushed the sprinkler system and cracked the surrounding patio including the spa. In other words, he hit the jackpot in inappropriateness. To call his design incompetent would be an understatement. We could have done better, much better.

Although I love my house, I was never happy with the way the outside looked. When the City informed me that I had to replace most of my sidewalk, I decided the time was right to have the landscape updated.
Steve provided drawings with two distinct options. The one I chose, incorporated a brick walkway and a sculpted poured concrete walkway. Even before the planting was completed, my neighbors began complimenting me on the new look.
When it was time for the plants, Steve sent me a list of plants so I could select the ones that I liked. He used many of the existing plants and incorporated new ones. He asked about my color preferences.
I continue to get compliments about the landscaping. I notice that people walking their dogs often stop to look at the plantings.
I am very happy with the way my front yard looks now. The design is creative, and unique. The material blend well with the house’s exterior to provide a cohesive setting.