Smart Plantings on a Hillside: Terraces, Bocce & Fire with a View

Landscape architect Pete Pedersen spent eight years shaping his own 1‑acre San Anselmo hillside—blank slope to lush retreat abutting open space with Mount Tamalpais views. The home, a “bungalow on steroids,” sits below street level.

Descent & Landings

Broken bluestone steps with blind joints and capped leading edges descend from the street. Excavated soil repurposed into flat landings creates usable space.

Bocce Court & Entry

A half‑size bocce court (200 lb oyster shell, oyster‑dust top dressing) adjoins the house. Western redcedar gate and arbor echo the architecture; ‘Sally Holmes’ rose welcomes visitors.

Fireplace Terrace & Quilt‑Like Planting

Stone‑faced fireplace with bluestone mantel anchors a terrace. Large swaths of single species—white carpet rose, gaura, echeveria, Jerusalem sage—form a quilt backdrop. A 2½‑ft dry‑stacked stone wall separates plantings; careful stone selection/placement by a stonemason.

Lawn & Unthirsty Palette

Small tall‑fescue lawn (low water) adjoins the fireplace. Wildland‑Urban Interface rules demand fire‑safe plants; even some natives (manzanita) were too flammable. Miscanthus ‘Autumn Light’ billows behind germander, catmint, Santa Barbara sage, yarrow, Cleveland sage. Canary Island date palm anchors.

Stairs, Pool & View

Thick stone slab stairs connect levels, softened by pittosporum, echeveria, statice, waverly sage. Bluestone deck surrounds the pool, overlooking a verdant valley. Substantial palms, craned in, add instant maturity. Stained concrete wall with hand‑troweled finish backs a long seat; Boston ivy scrambles over. Mount Tamalpais crowns the pool‑side vista.

More:
Great Plants for Lush, Low‑Water Gardens
11 Design Solutions for Sloping Backyards