Lesley Grainger Design: Creating Peaceful Places, One Plant at a Time

Do you want more peace in your life? 

Start with a garden. Sometimes it’s as simple as a few well-placed plants or the addition of a well-orchestrated container garden to add a sense of serenity. Other times, subtle shrubbery can hide what we don’t want to see. Good design often involves a little trickery. 

Landscape Designer Lesley Grainger has been designing and executing gardens for more than 35 years. She says that most of her clients—from Carmel Valley to Pebble Beach to Santa Cruz—need to solve a problem. Often there is something unwanted in their line of sight, or they have a very small space they want to maximize. 

Let’s say there’s a water meter you want to hide. “Fool the eye,” says Grainger. “Create a distraction. Use a tall, skinny plant, surrounded by lower plants, and then some very showy flowers. Focus on something beautiful instead.”  

Maybe you have a view of a neighbor’s roof that you don’t want to see. Perhaps you have a small yard, or a narrow bed that would not accommodate a big hedge, or a big hedge would cut off sunlight or create a feeling of claustrophobia.  “Plant tall narrow trees to create a loose hedge. Choose trees that are pleasing to look at. And also choose trees that won’t overwhelm the yard over time.”

“A good garden always changes,” says Grainger. “Gardens are dynamic: it’s to be expected.”  She has special horticulture software to help clients choose the right plants for their environment. 

To combat the closed in feeling of a small yard, Grainger employs “layering,” which involves having tiers of plants in a given bed, the tallest being at the back, medium sized plants in the middle of the bed and shorter plants at the front. “Fitting several plants into one small space gives the illusion of depth,” she says.   

It all starts with a sketch that gives the client an idea of her overall design. Then she gathers pictures of the elements she’s thinking of using. “I use photos to show what different surfaces might look like, whether it’s rocks, pebbles, concrete or pavers.” 

Then she introduces the client to several potential installers who can handle the different elements of the project. She considers herself the client advocate and will always be there on site to position plants properly. 

Grainger, who grew up in Santa Cruz, got her start in the garden quite accidentally at age 19 working at Orchard Supply Hardware. “Nursery was the best department to be in,” she says. “There was so much to learn, and I wanted to know it all.” Her best friend’s father, Rich Merrill, was head of the Horticulture Department at Cabrillo College. Much beloved in the community, he was an inspiration to her, and many aspiring gardeners. 

Later while working at the San Lorenzo Garden Center in Santa Cruz, people often asked her for advice. After she heard, “That sounds great. Can you do it?” enough times, she thought, “Why not?” and started her own business. “I spend most of my time thinking about plants,” says Grainger. “If it’s not for someone else’s garden, it’s my own.”

Grainger has experience with designing patios, paths, steps, arbors, pergolas, driveways, water features and retaining walls.  She also does stunning container designs, many of which are depicted on her website. Her clients, including Gayle’s Bakery, praise her for her knowledge, work ethic, commitment to client satisfaction, professionalism, personality and overall, her ability to listen. 

No matter what your dreamscape involves, whether it’s a country style garden or hardscaping, she says that landscaping, while a hefty investment, can raise the value of your home by 25%. Not to mention giving the homeowner a sense of respite. 

We all need more peace and tranquility. Somehow it always goes back to the garden. 

Reach Lesley directly at 831-236-0483 or visit her website at lesleygraingerdesign.com