Looking for something different – and striking – in the vine department? Here are some of my favorite head-turning vines. Aristolochia gigantea – Pelican Flower A dense, rambunctious evergreen vine for sun or shade. Fabulous for hiding what you don’t want to see! (I use it to provide a little privacy around my guest house… Read More
A lot of thought goes into our choices for materials that contribute to the overall design of a garden. We’re not only talking about the plants—which are indeed important, crucial actually—but the ornament, tile and paving materials like brick. I’m working on a garden that complements a house built shortly after the turn of the… Read More
I love beautiful gardens and gorgeous natural landscapes. I’m amazed by the design of nature, of working ecosystems. Yes, I’m fascinated by geology… think rocks and minerals and streams and forests and trees and seeds and birds and bugs and worms and animals and clouds and weather. These are among the most beautiful things in… Read More
Today’s guest post is written by Megan Padilla, Orlando, Florida-based freelance writer and the former Lifestyle Editor of Garden Design Magazine. The U.S. Surgeon General has added a recommendation for better health: MORE JOY! He urges us to do more of what we love and emphasizes the importance of connecting with family and friends. I say,… Read More
There’s a garden look that we all know and love, imported from England, replicated on the East coast. Lush, flowery, verdant and full of variety, there’s also a version of it to be found in the Mid-west, and the West Coast is not exempt. The very idea of a garden is planted in our minds,… Read More
Back when I first started posting about Villa del Greco, I laid it out for you: we chose to launch with this series because this garden in particular reveals the process of how we partner with clients and the kinds of results we get. I can’t say enough how great it is to work with… Read More
It’s Fiesta time in Santa Barbara! We’ve got parades to go to and the rodeo is in town, so this is just a quick share of some of my current favorite “go to” items for the garden – and for entertaining in the garden. Viva la Fiesta! The stuff I love for gardens can be… Read More
We’ve already discussed the process that led to the Smith garden redesign, including the Moorish star motif that was repeated throughout the landscape. But how did the luscious, rich tile patterns actually come to be pieced together? That’s a story unto itself. As I’ve mentioned, the original intersection of the primary and secondary axes of… Read More
Garden designer and social media influencer Carolyn Mullet has launched a new business: Carex Tours. I interviewed her about her first season of planning and leading garden tours, and if you’re anything like me your interest is piqued and you’re thinking about booking her upcoming Fall 2015 tour: Piet Oudolf & the Dutch Wave Gardens, which will… Read More
Back to Villa del Greco, this time to talk about how the garden’s new fountains came to be. The courtyard and wall fountains were from a renovation that took place in the 1990s, while the home was from the 1920s. As I previously mentioned, the owner was keen on restoring as many original details of… Read More