Landscaping Inspiration- Lake Tahoe

View from the Rubicon Trail

Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful spots on the West coast. It would be a great source of inspiration in creating a residential or commercial low maintenance landscape. Many of the most common trees and shrubs are very similar to Oregon natives if not the same.  In late summer the rabbit brush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus/ Ericameria nauseosus) was in bloom everywhere. It is one of my new favorite natives shrubs because of its delicate silvery blue foliage, its drought tolerance, and the nectar its flowers produce attracting bees and butterflies in late summer. It grows throughout central Oregon and you can see photos of it in early spring in my post Northwest Natives- Tom Mcall Nature Preserve.

The silver foliage is a nice contrast to the greens in the background.

Another of my favorite native shrubs was in abundance, manzanita (Archtostaphylos). It's smooth red twisting branches, evergreen foliage and white winter blooming flowers make it one of my top choices for most any landscape. Even the name is one of my favorites. Archtostaphylos means bear berry in greek. The groundcover variety's name (Archtostaphyolos uva-ursi)  is like a rosetta stone- it is called bear berry in greek, then latin and then in english as it's common name. If only all plant names were that way. I grows among the boulders in sunny spots under the pine trees. 

Rocky hillside with manzanita, rabbitbrush and pines.

  

Manzanita in the foreground, with Pine, spruce and hemlock trees on the shoreline.

Another important component of a landscape inspired by Lake Tahoe is the use of boulders and wood. The lake is famous for it's huge boulders, and there are many dead trees and logs with particularly nice colors and shapes that are very sculptural.

Of course the most beautiful aspect of Lake Tahoe, the lake itself, can't be brought to a residential landscape, but there is often the possibility of adding a stream or waterfall. These types of water features can add a lot to a landscape, but it is important to use nature as a guide so they look as natural as possible.

Meandering stream below a waterfall.

River rock and sand.

Waterfall in the dry season.

Steep rocky banks.

Storing any kayaks or canoes outside rather than in the garage will add to the laid back vacation vibe, as well as a hammock under a few pine trees. These photos are from the beach I used to play on during my family summer vacations growing up.