Montecito Secret Garden
In times of drought the time comes when one must say goodbye to lawns, even in the foothills of Montecito. This is what occurred in the update of this landscape design.
When the original landscape garden was designed and installed I don’t think any of us anticipated long years of drought, but as the drought continued and water allocations were strictly enforced in Montecito, we (and our environmentally-aware client) recognized that lawns are a thing of the past. Thus a drastic change was needed to bring this otherwise drought tolerant garden into the new age of California low-water gardens.
Instead of just substituting decomposed granite for lawn, we realized that a change in design was needed in order to maintain and enhance the park-like feel of the garden. To accomplish this we needed to create new a new shape and form to the entire area.
We constructed a space of decomposed granite that could double as a playing court for any variety of sports (our client being an extremely active and playful individual). Thus, using steel edging we designed and installed a meandering path of decomposed granite with fluid lines and varied width.
By pulling in the plantings on either side to accommodate the new landscape design, the beds were greatly expanded in size, allowing more room for the client’s extensive collection of Modern sculpture. So, what began as a solution to lack of water, resulted in paths and swaths of decomposed granite that provided better access and viewing of what was swiftly becoming a “sculpture garden”.
The garden’s uninhibited display of exuberant color and lush growth, created the perfect contrast to the sleek lines, smooth surfaces and form of the Modern sculpture. And despite the extensive planting and abundant gardens, this property easily stays within the water allocation and never needs additional water.
Plants used: Mexican Marigold, red Ivy Geranium, Leonotis (Lion’s tail), Mexican sage, Lipstick sage, Waverly sage, Red sage, white and purple Heliotrope, Euphorbia, Calandrinia, Jasmine ligustrifolium, Duranta and even a few colorful Hibiscus. Colorful, drought tolerant plants along the borders not only creates year-round interest and seasonal change but attracts birds of every sort to frolic in this private Montecito hide-away.
