Rhyne Designs has very much enjoyed being a part of this project which includes both a working farm and residential gardens.  Situated just outside of the town of Sonoma along a meandering creek, this 9+ acre property has been developing into a series of different gardens for years, with contributions by several designers and the knowledgeable farm staff. 

One of the first parts of the project was the renovation of a small turn of the century cottage, including new gardens in the classic cottage garden style.  Rhyne Designs assisted with the final stages of design for these gardens, consisting of a lush mix of flowering plants such as Roses, Geraniums, Star Jasmine, Rhododendrons and Camellias.  A second part of the project consisted of the gardens around a barn-like building which serves as a space for events, with various outdoor living areas and a Rose garden.  We helped to shape the outdoor spaces and created a planting design that includes Rosemary, Thyme, and Mexican Sage, all selected for fragrance and bold flower displays while still having low water needs.

The main house was renovated extensively, and Rhyne Designs took the lead on the detailed design for the new gardens surrounding it. They included dense tree plantings, open lawn areas adjacent to the house and native and drought tolerant plantings along the outer edges. The design emphasis was on careful selections of plant types to give a variety of seasonal colors, scents and textures as well as fun color combinations.

The farm component includes several acres of row crops yielding vegetables, herbs and cut flowers, much of which is donated locally through the organization Farm To Pantry.  We have assisted with design ideas for various transitional areas in between the farm plots and the residence, including a succulent garden and lovely towering Hollyhocks along a barn wall. This project also included a special large habitat garden for butterflies, bees and other pollinators, see the separate Sonoma Butterfly Garden page.

It has been a pleasure to spend several years working with the owners, the team of designers and contractors, and the farm staff to help shape this property into an amazing series of gardens. Designed in Collaboration with: Marissa Brandon, Architect & Brian Murphy Inc., Interior DesignConstruction Team: Westwind Construction (general contractor and project manager) & Sal Mendez Landscaping