History key to Russian Hill landscape plan

On the path: Accents in the herb garden include color spots and statuary. (Courtesy photo)

Large-scale visions for public places can be adapted for home gardens too, with great results.

Stephen Wheeler, a landscape architect who has created projects for institutions including the University of California (in Berkeley, San Francisco and Merced), the Presidio Trust and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, translates the best of what works in open spaces into enclosed backyards.

From a newly completed overlook in the Presidio above Crissy Field to projects at Lands End, Wheeler weaves together the best elements of nature and man and interjects a keen historical perspective.

Wheeler had his toolbox at the ready when he undertook a landscaping project for clients residing on Russian Hill.

But then he discovered a surprise element that “was very exciting.”

The garden for the residence was originally designed in 1937 by noted landscape architect Lockwood de Forest, who was famous for large-scale work on estates in Montecito.

The original drawings, housed in the UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design collection, served as the foundation for the redesign.

“I was familiar with his work,” Wheeler says. “It was very well thought out.”

Wheeler integrated the old and new, mixing lessons he gleaned designing public spaces with the more restrained perspective of a residential garden. He preserved the classical elegance of de Forest’s designs and updated them, introducing new plant combinations and enlivening the backyard.

While patios and paths were laid with the same flagstone originally used by de Forest, new enclosure walls were constructed to circle the entire garden area and the outdoor terrace, creating a private space in a large backyard.

Wheeler restored and reintroduced some garden furniture and elements of de Forest’s designs that also work well in public spaces, such as a fountain and two statues.

He moved the statues — St. Francis facing south and St. Peter facing him — replaced steps and added a custom-designed wooden bench.

He replanted the garden with traditional boxwood (“a good organizing element”) in hedges and 3-foot “balls” that are dramatic in public gardens. He also interlaced classic plants and shrubs with newer ones. He planted pink New Dawn climbing roses, creeping thyme, lavender and a herb garden, then added Meyer lemon trees.

He brought back the redolent Margaret Merrill rose, which he calls “white as an iceberg, but with a citrusy scent.” The lavender and trees were planted to screen a corner window, along with pink flowers, sage, rosemary and regular thyme.

Wheeler, who hails from New England, considers it a privilege to do the type of work he does, promoting a sense of history about beautiful locations.