Coastal Garden in Beautiful Montecito CA

BEFORE: When I first visited this garden it was a jumble of plants that had accumulated over the years. My job was to simplify the design to reduce maintenance and help the owner conserve water.

 A few roses were relocated, the cherubs were cleaned up and things started taking shape.

AFTER: The cherubs were given a place of honor whill we created an intimate patio close to the beach and filled it with shapely succulents and exotic South African Leucodendrons.

This statue was lost in a garsih cliche of red and white begonias, which had to go. It greets visitors before they encounter the path to the Coastal Room. Dainty but rugged Mediterranean plants were brought in. The owner found tumbled glass mulch on-line, so we created a symbolic stream.

There were scores of lively Hen & Chicks (Echeveria elegans) scattered around the garden. I rounded them up and massed them for impact. I like the way they contrast the color of the cherubs, who are now free to spread their wings.

The mauve colored flowers of Sedum 'Autumn Joy' and Cane Orchid (Epilobium) have contrasting forms, creating a bit of harmony and contrast in the same scene. The aeonium's round head and flat posture add another bit of detail. The foreground light colored plant is Westringea 'Smokey'