Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Garden Tours’ Category

GARDEN IDEAS FROM A PASADENA ESTATE

Posted in Garden Design, Garden Tours, tagged , , , on April 20, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Happy Friday! Every year at this time The Garden Conservancy organizes tours of gorgeous private gardens all over the country. I’ve been attending these tours for about 6 years now and I always walk away inspired! This Sunday is the Pasadena (California) tour so I thought I would share some ideas from a gorgeous Pasadena estate I toured several years ago.

I loved this custom-made trellis (above) and how it framed the entry to the home so beautifully.

thumb_DSC00343_1024

They also added this gorgeous climbing rose, ‘Eden’ from David Austin Roses, which highlights the entry to the home even more.

For a bit more drama they added two lollipop Gardenia trees on the front porch — very pretty.

thumb_DSC00329_1024

Cafe lights are fabulous because they always add a festive mood to any garden.

Whether squared or rounded, shaping your shrubs is always a good idea.

Here’s another example of a big statement made with exterior lights — love these over the outdoor dining area.

Click here for more information on The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Garden Tours.

Have a great weekend!

Read Full Post »

GARDEN TOUR: THORNTON LADD HOME

Posted in Garden Design, Garden Tours, tagged , , , , , on May 6, 2016| Leave a Comment »

unnamed-10

The garden was designed by the late Owen Peters in 1990 and surrounds a Thornton Ladd-designed modernist house completed around 1950. The garden was then again updated in 2012 by Amy Korn and Matt Randolph of Korn Randolph, as well as by landscape designer Judy Horton.

unnamed-18The Agaves were my favorite, along with Purple Smoke Bush in the background — so pretty. Other plants in this area of the garden are: Westringia, Olive, White Crepe Myrtles, Rosemary, Waxleaf and deciduous flowering Magnolia.

unnamed-17 unnamed-16 unnamed-15 unnamed-13

A big thank you to The Garden Conversancy’s volunteers, as well as all the hosts who so kindly opened up their homes to allow us into their private world for a day.

This Saturday, it’s the Los Angeles Open Days tour, which covers mostly the westside of Los Angeles. If anyone is interested in going, click here for more information.

Read Full Post »

GARDEN TOUR: PASADENA CALIFORNIA

Posted in Garden Design, Garden Tours, tagged , , , on May 3, 2016| Leave a Comment »

thumb_DSC00346_1024

One of my favorite things to do each spring is to attend The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days which are held all over the country. This past weekend the tour took place in Pasadena, which never disappoints.

thumb_DSC00320_1024

Many homes in Pasadena are built on hillsides which makes it a bit more tricky when designing. This home sits on 2 1/2 acres and was originally designed by architect Louis DuPuget Millar in 1908. It was recently updated by architect David Serrurier. This photo looks out onto the pool terrace from a wisteria-laden dining terrace seen in the photo below.

thumb_DSC00316_1024

The outdoor dining terrace situated under beautiful wisteria.

thumb_DSC00318_1024

The homeowner chose some gorgeous lights to hang above the outdoor dining table.

unnamed-19

All the gardens on the tour were beautiful, though I unfortunately missed one of the gardens designed by Judy Horton. Of those I viewed, I especially enjoyed the garden designed by Nod Eriksson (featured in this post). He was on site answering questions and talking about his work on this particular project.

unnamed-8

Me, taking a photo of the lovely fountain pictured below.

thumb_DSC00323_1024

Pride of Madeira and Bougainvillea hang elegantly over the fountainthumb_DSC00321_1024

Trimmed boxwood and antique urns lead guests into the rose garden.

thumb_DSC00337_1024

My photo doesn’t do this main entrance justice. The details were really lovely. Especially delightful were the water feature, herringbone brick walkway and beautifully potted gardenia. Other plants used in this area were, iceberg rose, boxwood, and lamb’s ear. Not visible in this distant picture, are delicate pink roses, called Eden, outlining the entry.

thumb_DSC00345_1024

Beautiful potted gardenia

thumb_DSC00348_1024

Clipped Boxwood and Pittosporum

Later in the week I’ll post another garden which had the most gorgeous agave.

If you would like to see more lovely gardens, just click on my category “garden tours” on the right.

Cheers!

Shannon

Read Full Post »

PETERSHAM NURSERIES

Posted in Garden Tours, Home, Travel, tagged , , , , , , on November 3, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Although, I didn’t have much time for sightseeing on my recent trip to London, I was determined to visit Petersham Nurseries. Located a short walk from the train station, along the River Thames, Petersham has two cafes, a wine cellar and an inspiring garden center.

unnamed-28

The setting around Petersham couldn’t have been more picturesque.

unnamed-27

The public footpath

unnamed

Above, the sign to Petersham Nurseries.

unnamed-21

A peek inside the glasshouse restaurant

unnamed-7

unnamed-23

unnamed-41

unnamed-16

The teahouse, with gorgeous hydrangeas and geraniums out front

unnamed-18

Inspiration for my next garden party…

unnamed-14

Lunch…

unnamed-40

unnamed-20

How lovely & simple is this?

unnamed-13

Although, I couldn’t bring back gorgeous plants or antiques, I was able to enjoy a beautiful lunch and take it in, if only for an hour. Looking forward to my next visit!

unnamed-29

Read Full Post »

GARDEN TOUR: SANTA MONICA

Posted in Garden Design, Garden Tours, tagged , , , , , , on June 3, 2015| 1 Comment »

As a garden designer there are so many other designers I draw inspiration from — Edwina Von Gal, Louis Benech, Jinny Blom, and Scott Shrader to name a few. The garden below was designed by Scott Shrader, and was a big motivation for why I decided to go on the tour.

unnamed-17

unnamed-11

unnamed-10

unnamed-18

ssg5

unnamed-36

unnamed-46

unnamed-43

unnamed

unnamed-26

unnamed-54 unnamed-51

The Mimosa table

unnamed-31

unnamed-21

unnamed-16

unnamed-30

The tour was part of The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program. The program is offered throughout the country and gives us an opportunity to poke our heads inside some gorgeous private gardens. Click here, for more information regarding this program.

Read Full Post »

GARDEN TOUR: CRESCENDO FARMS

Posted in Garden Design, Garden Tours, tagged , , , , on May 20, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Although, this garden tour happened a couple of weeks ago, I enjoyed it so much I really wanted to share my two favorite gardens with you. This first one, situated on three lots in Brentwood, was just gorgeous. From its “multi-purpose barn” to the layout of the vegetable garden to the many wonderful seating areas — I walked away with some beautiful ideas.

unnamed-48

The multi-purpose barn in the background

unnamed-65

unnamed-18

unnamed-13

Inside the barn

unnamed-49

Small orchard

unnamed-16

unnamed-43

Seating area near the main house

unnamed-40

Dining area

unnamed-26

Beautiful little play house with climbing rose

unnamed-39

The main house

unnamed-20

Loved this rustic pergola with dining area and fireplace

unnamed-33

Climbing rose on pergola

unnamed-30 unnamed-21

Another seating area with fire pit

unnamed-15

unnamed-37

Next time, my favorite garden on the tour — a gorgeous gem in Santa Monica.

Read Full Post »

GANNA WALSKA LOTUSLAND

Posted in Garden Design, Garden Tours, Travel, Visit, tagged , , , , , , on March 20, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Settled in a gorgeous residential neighborhood in Santa Barbara, Lotusland is a 37-acre garden that was once the private residence of Ganna Walska, an eccentric opera singer turned plantswoman. The garden is full of subtropical and tropical plants from around the world, as well as more than 130 varieties of aloe, rare species of cycads, Chilean Wine Palms and massive amounts of cactus. unnamed-2

 The main house (now offices), was built in 1919 by architect Reginald Johnson and is a gorgeous example of Mediterranean style architecture.

unnamed-40

The famous Lotus pond, which was once a pool.

unnamed-10

An old Euphorbia drooping from weight and old age.

unnamed-23

A fountain near the Olive Allee and Cactus Garden.

unnamed-45 unnamed-44

Old Man Cactus

unnamed-17

A beautiful old Euphorbia in the background with barrel cactus and purple aeonium in the stone planters.

unnamed-16 unnamed-4

One of my favorite agaves, and one that is extremely popular here in Southern California –the Fox Tail Agave or Agave Attenuataunnamed-47 A group of striking colored Euphorbia

unnamed-20unnamed-46

unnamed-28 unnamed-56

An idea any garden lover can take home — an interesting planter potted with one type of succulent — left alone to grow into a little gem like the one above.

unnamed-11

A 130 year old Dragon Tree
unnamed-9

Ganna Walska’s reflective pool with giant clam shells and tons of abalone shells

unnamed-8

She lined her entire reflective pool with abalone shells.
unnamed-60

The Cactus Gardenunnamed-1

The work that went into this garden is amazing. The dedication in growing many of these species from seed, or as small pups, must have taken an extreme amount of patience and vision. It’s definitely worth a visit. For more information on Lotusland, click here.

Read Full Post »

Open Days Garden Tour: Pacific Palisades, CA

Posted in Garden Design, Garden Tours on April 22, 2013| Leave a Comment »

This garden, designed by Rob Steiner, was my favorite on the Pacific Palisades garden tour. One reason is because it felt completely different from the rest of the gardens on the tour. It felt fresh, crisp and his use of color was brilliant. The house was painted a stark white and a soft lemon sorbet color was used on the french doors. In the garden he mirrored the same lemon color in some of the succulents and then used grays and blues for a soothing contrast. The textures and colors all worked beautifully together. I hope my pictures do it  justice.

IMG-20130414-01317

IMG_1693

IMG_1699

IMG_1700

IMG_1694

IMG_1696

IMG_1695

IMG_1697

very sweet

Read Full Post »

The Pacific Palisades Garden Club Tour

Posted in Garden Design, Garden Tours, tagged , , , on April 19, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Last Sunday was the Pacific Palisades annual garden club tour. My first time on this tour was 9 years ago and it continues to be an inspiring tour. Below, are a couple of my favorites, both designed by Jay Griffith.

A Brentwood Garden

IMG_1667Above, a 75-year old coral treeIMG_1668A creative way to camouflage the post supporting the coral treeIMG_1670A seating area next to the pool with a terracotta Chinese warrior standing guard

IMG_1669

A succulent planted in place of a missing brick on the patioIMG_1671The view looking back towards the main house
IMG_1666Another seating area off the main patio

A Pacific Palisades Garden

The garden below, also designed by Jay Griffith, has an understated elegance.

IMG_1684The lawn overlooks the Rivera Country Club

IMG_1681A private seating area with water feature

IMG_1685The lawn is bordered with lavender, ice plants and California natives

IMG_1679A view of the club just below

IMG_1682

Another seating area in the garden

Tomorrow, my favorite garden from the tour!

Read Full Post »

The Huntington Botanical Gardens

Posted in Garden Design, Garden Tours, Travel, Visit, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on March 1, 2013| 1 Comment »

One of my favorite places to visit is the Huntington Botanical Gardens, especially the Desert Garden. For those of you who love cactus and succulents, below are several photos from my last visit.

IMG_1518

parry’s agave, barrel cactus and more

IMG_1510

one of my favorite’s – the agave attenuata

IMG_1511

one up closeIMG_1532

one of the pathways in the desert garden
IMG_1512

a sea of aeonium succulents

IMG_1513

torch aloe

IMG_1515

I believe another torch aloe (I don’t know what the tree is to the right but it was incredible – very dr. suess like)

IMG_1519

blue agave

IMG_1520

more barrel cactus and parry’s agave

IMG_1522

a saguaro cactus surrounded by barrel cactus and parry’s agave

IMG_1524

barrel cactus with little ones

IMG_1526

could this be an organ pipe cactus? I’ll have to check the tags next time I go.

Happy Weekend!

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »

%d bloggers like this: