Custom Succulent Vertical Gardens
Rancho Santa Fe
Client need
The homeowner wanted a large, bold, outdoor living wall statement: colorful, sculptural succulents with clean lines and strong form, built for a warm courtyard with variable sun exposure. The design also needed to coordinate with a modern green-toned moss wall elsewhere in the courtyard system for a cohesive architectural language. One major constraint: we could not install directly to the existing stone wall.
Our solution
Feature Wall (343” W x 136” H | 323 SF): We designed a sun-tolerant succulent tapestry with intentional contrast and bolder specimen forms to create graphic structure from a distance and rich detail up close. Because the stone substrate wasn’t suitable for direct attachment, we collaborated with the client to add a powder-coated steel framework in front of the wall, then integrated aluminum ledgers for robust structural support. The wall includes automatic irrigation and a dedicated timer for consistent vertical garden moisture management.
Secondary Wall (170” W x 136” H | 160 SF): To mirror the clean, modern mood of the opposing moss feature, we composed a simplified, green-forward succulent palette that stays visually calm while handling variable seasonal light. This wall also includes automatic irrigation/timer and aluminum ledgers tied into pre-installed structural support.
The Outcome
Two outdoor living walls that feel architectural, intentional, and permanently integrated—one expressive “feature moment,” one minimalist counterbalance—creating a courtyard experience that’s both bold and serene. The dedicated irrigation strategy supports healthy growth and long-term performance, while the steel framework solution preserved the integrity of the stone wall and enabled a clean, floating installation aesthetic.
