Checking in with Our Gardens

When I was running errands in West Los Angeles this morning, I happened upon a garden we installed last spring - it looked particularly stunning.

custom garden gate

Calandrinia grandiflora, Thymus citridora, Agave attenuata &
Westringia 'Morning light'

Small Garden Spaces

A spacious garden can be hard to come by in many Southern California beach communities.  The lots are usually maximized to accommodate as much house as possible which means the remaining exterior space must be well designed, like a jewel box.  We installed this Venice project in early 2008.  The waterwall, lush with ferns, was meant to invoke the Santa Monica mountain canyon walls with their beautiful seeps and waterfalls.  It is a major focal point for the house; glimpsed from the front door then transformed into the dining area wall with a 12' long glass door. 

After

From the wood trellis on the adjacent wall hangs boxes which contain succulents and herbs, this helps to create a more usable, intimate space. 

Summer Vacation Highlights: Boston & Cambridge, part I

Glass Flowers at the Harvard Museum of Natural History

Created between the years of 1887 and 1936 in Dresden, Germany made entirely from glass, wire and metal oxide, this is one of the most stunning displays of botanical knowledge in existence.  The 847 species collection was created as a teaching aide for the Botanical Museum.  The craftsmen were  Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka, a father and son team of glass artisans who came from a long line of jewelry makers.  This exhibit has been available to the public since 1893.

Not surprisingly, California natives make a good showing in the exhibit - off hand, there were at least 50-60 different species in display, including cacti.  Here are a few favorites (shown with an example of a living plant for comparison)...

Encelia californica, California Sunflower