Sometimes a designer needs to recharge her batteries.  I spent the afternoon of Saturday, October 26 soaking up inspiration as horticulture and design experts discussed regional landscape design in a program organized by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers and Pacific Horticulture Society. A program of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, Greater Los Angeles...Read More

Surrounding one of the original 1920’s Hollywoodland cottages in Beachwood Canyon, Landscape designer Judy Horton’s garden is a jewel box filled with plants that reflect her 25 years of gardening and designing.  I was amazed at the number of unusual plants (270 species!) tucked into the tiny garden when I visited in June as part...Read More

Experiencing landscapes that have been consciously developed hones our senses and improves our capacity to appreciate good design. Last month I visited a beauty: The Moreland Garden is a hillside property perched high atop the Santa Monica mountains and designed by landscape architect Lisa Gimmy. This private garden was open as part of the Garden...Read More

Yesterday my husband and I welcomed over 400 people to our garden, which was one of seven featured on the free, annual South Pasadena Beautiful Garden Tour. Each garden displayed principles of sustainability–including California native and Mediterranean landscaping, planting for wildlife, bioswales, permeable paving options and recycling organic waste. In front of our house was...Read More

With the event just a month away, I thought you might enjoy previewing the four beautiful properties on South Pasadena Beautiful’s annual Garden Tour. The gardens are wonderfully diverse, including a playful Mediterranean garden; an informal, primarily native garden; a traditional garden with lovely outdoor rooms; and a very large, meandering “secret” garden. This is...Read More