Photo by Richard Maack

Spice up a garage area with simple plantings and a cohesive use of materials

THE IDEA
Landscape architect Greg Trutza wanted to add formality and symmetry to the garage entrance of this Phoenix home to resemble those often found at Mediterranean villas. The paving was to look as though it had come from a sun-dappled Italian or French courtyard.

THE INSPIRATION
Tumbled brick driveway pavers chosen for their warm hues tie in with the limestone rubble and travertine accents that Trutza used on the exterior of the house. “The final result echoes the soft blends found with antique terra-cotta pavers,” he notes.

THE DESIGN
To create a Mediterranean ambience, he placed spiral topiaries in beds to align with curlicue-embellished carriage lights. Garage doors with trellis-paned windows complement the look.

THE PLANTS
Upright spiral yaupon holly topiaries with border plantings of Katie ruellia flourish in the eastern exposure. “Utilizing the spiral form allows for control of eventual height so as to not compete with the carriage lights,” Trutza explains.