Hillside garden landscape design timber tie steps decomposed granite pathway meadow california native plants east bay Oakland slope pollinator bird ecology

Oakland Sloped Refuge

A barren and inaccessible slope was converted into a quiet refuge, with careful grading and simple hardscaping to provide access. Timber steps follow the natural slope of the hillside, leading the family to a sedge meadow where their dog can play. Small landings at both ends of the meadow provide shady or sunny seating at different times of day, and a private place to observe birds in the large downhill oaks at eye level. As the garden matures, the path will be framed by graceful manzanitas and the slope stabilized with fragrant salvias.

Key Garden Features

  • Hillside garden with meadow carved into the slope

  • Timber steps

  • Decomposed granite landings and seating areas

  • Diverse native plant selections providing bird and pollinator habitat

Timber tie steps with decomposed granite treads descend into a sloped back residential california native plant hillside garden with pollinator and bird plantings and mulch in Oakland
Timber tie steps with decomposed granite treads descend into a sloped back residential california native plant hillside garden with pollinator and bird plantings and mulch in Oakland
Timber tie steps with decomposed granite treads and moss rock retaining wall descend into a sloped back residential california native plant hillside garden with pollinator and bird plantings and mulch in Oakland
Timber tie steps with decomposed granite treads descend into a sloped back residential california native plant hillside garden with pollinator and bird plantings with a meadow in Oakland
Timber tie steps with decomposed granite treads descend into a sloped back residential california native plant hillside garden with pollinator and bird plantings with a native meadow in Oakland
California Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense) in a residential hillside native plant garden in Oakland
California Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense) in a residential hillside native plant garden in Oakland next to timber tie steps with decomposed granite landings and a native meadow
Adirondack chair seating area decomposed granite dg patio next to a california native meadow in an oakland sloped hillside pollinator garden
Bench seating area decomposed granite dg patio next to a california native meadow in an oakland sloped hillside pollinator garden with timber tie steps up slope
A wood fence with hog wire mesh overlooking a mature oak woodland in a sloped hillside oakland backyard residential garden landscape restoration
Adirondack chair seating area decomposed granite dg patio next to a california native meadow in an oakland sloped hillside pollinator garden with juncus and fringe cups Tellima grandiflora
Fringe cups Tellima grandiflora next to timber tie steps with decomposed granite landings on a hillside sloped california native plant pollinator garden in oakland oak woodland understory
Fringe cups Tellima grandiflora next to timber tie steps with decomposed granite landings on a hillside sloped california native plant pollinator garden in oakland oak woodland understory
Fringe cups Tellima grandiflora next to timber tie steps with decomposed granite landings on a hillside sloped california native plant pollinator garden in oakland oak woodland understory Adirondack chair seating area
Heuchera maxima and juncus in a california native plant hillside garden in oakland
California native meadow in an oakland sloped hillside pollinator garden with timber tie steps and a flagstone landing up slope
California native meadow in an oakland sloped hillside pollinator garden with timber tie steps and a flagstone landing up slope
California native meadow in an oakland sloped hillside pollinator garden with timber tie steps and a flagstone landing up slope
Before photo of a landscape hillside with a large stump and steep slope
After photo of a hillside with timer tie steps native plantings and a california native meadow

“We had been dreaming of turning our unusable and unsightly backyard into a place of refuge. Four Dimensions listened to what we wanted and created a garden beyond our expectations. The meadow is coming into its own, the pollinators are in full force and the peace we receive from being in the space is priceless!”

—Cathy & David, Oakland

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