Our clients had a gorgeous, Spanish style home nestled in an older neighborhood of Bakersfield but they had one major problem: they hated their front yard. The original front yard was a chaotic hodgepodge of underdeveloped turf grass, overdeveloped weeds & dated concrete. They envisioned a landscape that would complement the stunning architectural style of the home & would be sustainable for our changing environment. In particular, they did not want turf grass to be the focal

Our clients' contacted us in desperate need of adding "drama" to their front landscape. They felt like their front yard lack any sort of major interest & was mostly just a large stretch of turf grass. Our clients dreamed of having a meandering walkway from their sidewalk to their main entry. They also wanted to incorporate natural stone into the design, either on the walkway or in some other form. Finally, our clients made it clear to our designers that they would be much hap

Water Wise Ranch Transformation Our clients in Tehachapi, CA, owned a sprawling ranch property with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. They had always been unhappy with their yard & wanted a landscape design that would more beautifully complement the property’s surrounding environment. They also wanted a landscape design to create a grander entry to the estate’s main drive approach. We began with a dramatic transformation to the drive approach utilizing a stunning

The importance of walkways in a garden is often over looked. However, walkways provide connection between different parts of the garden and without them, the garden can feel disjointed and unorganized. Here are some tips to follow when designing a garden pathway: Decide what style or atmosphere you would like to create. Straight pathways with right angles represent a formal style. Certain materials can also depict a formal atmosphere, such as stamped concrete. A “natural” or

Creating a master plan for your garden is a great first step in organizing your ideas and developing a beautiful space. Step 1- Develop goals for each part of the garden. A plan is usually divided into four parts: the Approach and Arrival Sequence, the Hub or house, the Perimeter, and Passages to Destinations. Make a list of what you wish to improve in each section. Step 2 – Make a survey of the area and develop a base plan. A survey is a plan of your property showing all ex

Outdoor kitchens are a fun and convenient way to bring the party outdoors. Whether you are entertaining guests or just cooking for your family, outdoor kitchens allow you to enjoy your garden while preparing a meal. One common element of an outdoor kitchen is the outdoor island; very similar to an island you would install in your home. Here are some things to consider when designing an outdoor island. First, consider what the purpose of your outdoor island will be. Will i

Recently, Rosewood Senior Living Community approached our designers to create a new, outdoor patio space for their residents to use for dining & socializing. The outdoor patio space was to be connected with the main dining area & closely connected to the property’s main entrance. We created an expansive outdoor kitchen that completely transformed the outdoor patio space. The outdoor kitchen offers beautifully colored granite countertops with room for bar seating. Aside from t

We were honored to be selected to design & construct a new healing garden landscape design for the downtown campus of Mercy Hospital. The site posed a number of unique opportunities & challenges to our designers. The site was a massive interior space that was a focal point for the hospital's remodeled entry. Encased in glass, the site was also looked upon by hundreds of patient rooms up above. The hospital wanted an environment that would create a relaxing visual for those vi

A UNIQUE, LOW WATER WALKING PARK Recently, we had the privilege of being selected to design & construct a brand-new walking park for Mercy Hospital’s South West Campus. The project was funded by the generous donations of the Friends of Mercy Foundation. Working with our clients, they expressed a desire to have a park that was distinct to Mercy Hospital & the greater Central Valley. They wanted an environment where employees would enjoy walking & exercising. Also, it was very

SMALL GARDEN DESIGN Many people are under the misconception that unless you have a massive estate or a huge property, you cannot have a stunning landscape design. This is totally false! We love small gardens, or intimate spaces because they allow us as designers to be even more creative with how we fit our elements into a smaller footprint. Also, elements seem even larger & more dramatic in a smaller garden. This was definitely the case with one our recent projects, a private

LANDSCAPE REDESIGN TO COMPLIMENT HOME’S ARCHITECTURE Our clients’ purchased this large, golf-course view estate earlier this year & absolutely loved the architecture. Unfortunately, the landscape was overgrown & completely detracted from the structure & beauty of the residence. Massive Ginkgo trees had been left unattended for years & were blocking the shape of the architecture. Overgrown shrubs were blocking walkways & further cluttering the main views. Our clients wanted to

Utilizing Centuries Old Principles, Landscape is Transformed into Zen Garden In order to create a truly one-of-a-kind landscape design, you need a passionate designer & an equally passionate client. We, at Bakersfield Landscape Company Monji Landscape Companies, were recently blessed with such clients. Our clients desperately wanted a garden that would beautifully capture their passion for Japanese design & would offer them a true place to escape. They both loved to entertain

MONJI LANDSCAPE CREATES A PRIVATE PARADISE Monji Landscape Companies, a Bakersfield Landscape Company, first started building beautiful gardens in 1953. And from the very beginning, we have held firm to the belief that crafting a landscape design involves much more than simply installing a lawn and a few plants. It should present attractions that draw one in and offer plenty of reasons to continue on venturing through the garden’s rooms. Whether it is a beautiful pondless fou

STUNNING GARDEN DESIGN COMPLIMENTS MILLION-DOLLAR MOUNTAIN VIEWS As a Landscape Design Company that has been in business since 1953, we here at Monji Landscape Companies have had the privilege of creating landscape designs in many unique areas around the United States. One such unique property was a beautiful mountain retreat in Bear Valley, Tehachapi upon which our clients asked us to create their dream garden design. Our clients’ property offered stunning views of the mount

THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE ON DISPLAY AT MERCY HOSPITAL Throughout history, gardens have been revered for their therapeutic essence. There is an undeniable level of relief that is gained through experiencing nature in the form of creative landscape design. Thus, gardens are critically important to a healing environment. Thankfully, in recent years, there has been greater value placed on the benefits that these spaces bring to a hospital’s patients, staff, and visitors. Commi