Hi Everyone. My garden is so pretty this year due to the late spring rains I thought I would do an updated post . Parts of my garden are over 30 years old and all of it is at least 20 years old. There are positives and negatives to having a mature garden. The positives of having an older garden are the framework and plants are well established. The negatives are “the framework and plants are well established” (the plants need to be replaced as well as structures!) This is the little barn you see when entering our property.
We built this barn years ago when we had horses and our lower barn flooded. We keep thinking we should do something with this barn if we stay here. We have thought about turning it into a vacation rental or a studio? Any ideas?
This is the garden in the front of our house. Here I have planted more water-wise plants. Surrounding the fountain are oleander standards, apple blossom groundcover roses, and Teucrium (Germander). Teucrium is the best plant I have in my yard. I have probably replaced one or two plants in 30 years. It will bloom in about another month. After blooming, it gets wacked back and then it stays a waxy green all year long. The Oleander Standards are overgrown right now but I can’t bear to cut them back before they bloom.
For some reason Beau is always fascinated with the Germander. It is probably a good hiding place for all kinds of “varmits”.
Wisteria grows on the eaves of the house. It has already bloomed. Butterfly Bush and flax are bordered by Nepeta faassenii in front of the house
Morning Glory Grows in the center between the windows. This is what it looks like when it is in all “its glory”.
This is the path that runs parallel to the front of the house. It was hazy the day I photographed. Eucalyptus once lined the board fence that you see in the distance. There are only a few left. Don’t ever plant them they are shallow rooted and blow over in storms. We have replaced most of them with olives that are still young. Hence the ugly fence!
Lavender is a big player in both my front and back gardens. The variety that does the best for me is Lavandula Hetrophylla. Theoretically, it is a hybrid of dentata and Angustifolia. However, it is sometimes sold as Angustifolia. Many people like Provence (it is similar but shorter) It does not perform well for me. I love plumbago for its interesting flower color (periwinkle) and it’s long period of bloom. You can see it here behind the statue.
This picture was taken a little earlier of the area beyond the fountain. Note the fence. We have to discourage visiting deer.
This shot was taken on an overcast day. The beautiful turteur was a birthday gift from our dear friend Jim who passed away. Lavendar and Nepeta surround it.
Looking back from the side yard. This pepper tree was a present from Steve’s parents when we bought the property over 30 years ago. The pale pink mounds are cistus skanbergi (rockrose). They bloom in winter here. I have tried to keep everything in this front garden area water wise. The entire front yard is on drip and only gets watered once a week. I fertilize everything once a year with milorganite which can be found on Amazon or your local garden center.
This is the same view taken right after a rain before anything was blooming.
This is the path that goes around the side of the house. You will never see pictures of the area to the left (ugly!!) it just has a few lemon trees. Please ignore the garden hose. The right side is basically dry shade so it is planted with camellias, a couple heavenly bamboo and jasmine.
This old arbor used to be home to the beautiful rose awakening. It died a few years ago and I haven’t replaced it. I am trying to simplify. Sally Holmes is on the fence behind. The path is bordered by
I have an herb garden (that always looks kind of messy but is functional) that is planted behind this fence made with 100+ redwood boards (from a torn down and salvaged fence once bordering my brother in law’s adjacent acreage). This rose is called Super Dorothy which hasn’t ever been all that “super” in my garden. It is pretty now but it is at least 15 years old. This rose anchors the north and south sides of the herb garden.
Cecil Breuner anchors the east and west sides.
The pool area is on the other side of this arbor. I will do a post next week on the pool area and back garden. I don’t want to bore you with too many photos.
What’s blooming in your garden right now? Do you have plants that perform well for you that you would like to share with us?
SPECTACULAR!!! It’s amazing…no wonder as you sound like a horticulturist. I SO enjoyed this post and all the colors…and sweet Beau.
Thanks Pal! Glad you are back!
Hi Cindy ~ First of all … Love the pictures of Beau! What a sweet boy. But your gardens!! Oh my goodness. How beautiful. I always get a bit envious about California gardens since you can grow so many plants that I love like lavender which just don’t make it through hot FL summers. This was so very enjoyable to come visit you. Studio or guest cottage? Well, if you are up to it, guest cottage sounds fun. But I would adore a space that size for a studio.
Hi Friend!
Thanks so much for stopping by and your sweet comments. I will tell Beau Coty says hi!! I imagine Florida can be challenging for certain plants but oh the beautiful tropical plants like hibiscus etc. that just don’t do well here. I guess we always want what we can’t have!!
Hi Donna!
I thought I answered this before but it must not have gone through. We are envious of you and the lovely tropical plants that won’t survive here (hibiscus for instance). I guess we all want what we can’t have…
WOW! JUST WOW.
Your garden is beautiful. So many of your plants, I also have here in Umbria. I never imagined a southern California garden would be so similar to mine. We have WINTER! COLD!! Your garden is gorgeous. My focus at the moment is my veg garden. Tomatoes- 41 plants, 9 heirloom types. Salad, zucchini,lots of peppers,celery,parsley, every imaginable herb- tons! Your house is truly beautiful. Looks so Italian. Looking forward to the next garden post.
Thank you so much Robin. I would love to see pictures of your garden. We love Italy and hope to visit again soon. My husband loves Italian wine! We did not make it to Umbria on our last trip. I have tried unsuccessfully to grow tomatoes. I could grow them here at the lake (it gets much hotter) maybe when we retire! So glad you commented keep sharing memories of Italy here!!
Amazing how much you know about plants and how much there is to know. I do know there is a lot of work behind your gardens, which I have always loved. I ordered some more Teucrium germander online because I couldn’t find it locally and I received Teucrium betonicum germander, which looks completely different! 🙁
Oh shoot! Jeff can order it in 4″ pots if you ask.
ok, this landscape designer needs to go back to school, I am in awe of your talents.
like Taste of France said, this looks exactly like a French./provincial garden scene. having just left Malibu for a wedding I was gobsmacked at the lushness of plants in your clime, lemon trees, olive trees, even lavender does not work in my zone 5 garden.
crazy for the formal & informal elements, the pea gravel, fountain, lushness, and shutters, house…..
I have a great idea for the little cottage; I will move in. 🙂 and bring marcel, then I can stop lusting over the French properties I endlessly seek!
cannot wait for part 2, and show lots of photos, we love them!
debra
Debra wouldn’t I love to have you for my neighbor!! And Beau would love Marcel. I have a feeling the two Steve’s would get along as well! You need to come visit during your off season if you ever have one!
Cindy, WOW!! What it must be like to live there, I can only imagine!! Your gardens are truly glorious, and I LOVE seeing your photos. I made notes and have to look up a few of the plants you mentioned and see if I can grow them here in Massachusetts. My mom grew morning glory all over a piazza that ran along the front of the little house I grew up in, so beautiful when in bloom – your purple blossoms brought me right back to that. I love the lavender, all the flowering plants and how lush it all is! Amazing for being on a drip and only watering once a week! Thank you for sharing, can’t wait for the next post about the pool area!
Thank you so much Lisa. I so appreciate your kind words friend! I think you could grow many in Mass but as annuals. Ask Deborah from 5th and State she would know!
Well, I think it is now the other way round: France is looking to your garden for inspiration! So very beautiful and personal. I think it’s time you become a destination wedding site! You did it before with amazing results. Oh: Simplify. Simply. Simply! Got it. One of my favorite plants is climbing hydrangea: beautiful in flower and form in winter. Always love a pic of Beau, the reluctant photo op lab.
ps Humility requires that I tell you that I used to grow germander (recommended over boxwood)
but my germander in Kansas never, ever looked like yours. After a particularly cold, snowy winter (do you even have memories of that kind of weather?), I ripped it out and planted thyme and called it good.
Hi Pat
I understand germander could be a problem in winter. I have friends in the Midwest who struggle with the same conditions. I do remember that weather and am thankful every day that I don’t have to deal with the highs and lows, and the humidity. Thank you for always being so supportive. I so enjoy your comments.
Cindy, I absolutely love your garden, it reminds me in so many ways of French gardens with the lavender and the wisteria which grows in abundance here and which is an absolute firm favourite of mine. I would most definitely turn your barn/old stables into a guest rental. Having done the same I can tell you there is so much pleasure to be gained from people enjoying the garden and the hard work we put into it and I am sure they would do the same with you as your garden is an absolute delight and one I personally would love to wander around and spend ages just inhaling the perfume and enjoying it.
Thank you so much Susan. The gardens of France have always been my inspiration.
Hi Susan
The French gardens have been my inspiration. I love the style and the water conditions are similar to ours. What type of soil do you have? My soil is rather heavy so I put gravel and sand in the holes when I plant lavender. The nepeta and germander don’t seem to mind. I long to visit France and stay in your cottage! It is on the bucket list!
Absolutely OVER THE TOP Cindy, I LOVE It……YES, a guest house, (hope its plumbed), an art studio, an Airbnb, (could be more work & loss of privacy), a zen tea house to relax, if plumbed a sauna & steam room for meditation, so much! OH, Cindy, I love love love your garden. I love sweet viburnum here for my privacy fence. My garden is going to have tons of pea gravel too, limelight hydrangeas, (the only hydrangeas that can take sun) sweet viburnum, lots of rosemary huge in pots or around the periphery of the property, & of coarse Boxwoods galore! Magnificent ~ i love gardening! xo
Hi Suzanna! I have thought about trying the limelight hydrangeas. I wonder how they do with scant water. I have a couple old fashioned uninteresting hydrangeas that I have thought about replacing. Keep me posted on your gardening.
Cindy, your grounds and gardens are beautiful as is your home. This looks like it is somewhere in France. Boring us with too many photos? Never.
Kim you must come down sometime! We are long overdue for a lunch. I would be happy to come to Los Gatos as well..one of my favorite towns!
First off it is GORGEOUS!I have seen in it PERSON!
Fertilize once a YEAR?!!!Really I have always done TWO……JAN. and JUNE.
WATER ONCE A WEEK?!!!!!!!!!!THATS VERY INTERESTING TO ME!IT MUST BE A SLOW SOAK…….?
WHAT EVER IT IS YOU ARE DOING IT IS WORKING!
I would like THE BARN for my weekend retreat!!!!!!!!!But it might be fun to do AIR B&B???
OR YOUR OFFICE!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT EVER YOU DO IT WILL BE STUNNING!
XX
We already spoke on the phone but I will answer for the benefit of others. I have tried to keep the front garden water wise. Everything in the front yard can survive on a deep drip watering once a week. It is California and we do not have an overabundance of water. We do not have a lick of grace on our property. Everything that is in front only requires one handful of milorganite during the winter rains. This year I hit it just right. That is part of why the garden is so pretty this year. This area is at it’s prime right now. It will not be so pretty come August!
Hi Cindy, I love Germander as an edging. Don’t know why, but most garden centers do not carry it. When I did MY Herb Garden 10 years ago, I had to buy multiple trays of “slips” by mailorder. A lot of work to get them established but it was well worth it! Your garden is beautiful. You must have at least one full time garden to keep everything under control!
Hi Carol
I do not understand why it is not more readily available either. I have a gardener who comes for two hours once a week. He is fabulous! Steve and I fill in on the weekends when we are home.
Absolutely stunning Cindy. I am amazed when you say you haven’t had to replace plants over the years. Here in my zone 7 mountain environment I lose plants every year and have planted my garden many times over in the 12 years since we built our home. Nothing grows all too well here, and we are limited as to what we can plant. I don’t like wasting money on annuals either. You must find great joy in such a beautiful environment. BRAVO!
Hi Celia
I have not replaced the germander. I lose a few lavenders every year and always a boxwood or two. I have learned to get rid of plants that do not perform. I also lose roses to old age which I am replacing with more time and water friendly plants!
Beuatiful garden, look forward to the pool post!
This is so interesting. We are in the south of France, just over the border from Spain, but despite our very mild climate quite north of California. My lavender is huge and just about to burst into bloom, and already very fragrant. The hydrangeas (hortensias in French) are very happy from the unseasonable bounty of rain and about to flower as well. The rain means the oleander, which we have EVERYWHERE (being very drought resistant, once it’s established, plus we get those gorgeous flowers) is a little late. I am contemplating what to plant where I did trench composting–the soil here is very clay, which is great for wines (if you ever find a Minervois wine, do buy it; I am sure it will be good), but which becomes hard as concrete during the hot, dry summer months. Suggestions welcome.
How do you keep the wisteria from taking your roof off?
The ensemble of your buildings and the gardens seems like they’re taken straight from down the street here in the south of France.
Hello! We trim the wisteria several times a year. Interestingly last year I lost a couple of older one’s last year. I think the overabundance of rain did them in. My soil is just like yours heavy clay. What variety of lavender do you grow? I would love to hear. Here in California they think oleanders are junk. I personally love them. The deer won’t eat them, they are drought tolerant, and they flower. What more could you ask of a plant? Loved your recent post on that lovely french garden. Our home is actually a spanish colonial but I have tried to fashion the garden after those in France because the conditions are similar to ours. Thanks so much for weighing in!
Hi Cindy,
We just laid down 15 more bags of mulch in very humid weather. After seeing your fabulous gardens we are renting a huge garden tiller and plowing ours under!!
Love,
Bill and Judy
Your garden is absolutely GORGEOUS!! Are you guys going to come for a visit before we are all too old and gray? Wait we are already old and gray!! We are coming back in July will you be around the weekend of the 26th? Family reunion and class reunion!
Cindy, your garden is magical! I love everything! I am not a gardener and do not have a green thumb so I have to stick to basics when it comes to plants and then they are in containers. Thank you for sharing your beautiful and enchanting garden, I cannot wait to see the rest.
Elizabeth if you will come to my house and bake I will come garden at yours! We all have our talents…baking is certainly not one of mine! I so admire your baking skills!
Cindy,
I’ve always loved your garden, and the surrounding hills and your lovely home! We downsized and I have just the right sized garden in a courtyard off the living area. I have iceberg roses since they aren’t very demanding and produce beautifully almost all year here in SoCal. I planted lavender, penstemon and angelonia angustifolia for the height and border with a variety of low growing perennials.
Thanks for sharing your inspirational garden.
xo,
Karen
Hi Karen
I agree about icebergs. I have them in my backyard. I am trying to simplify and we keep considering downsizing. My dream is to have a small manageable garden but we can’t seem to let go of this!!
Absolutely beautiful! Please turn the barn into a guest rental so I can come visit! lol
That would be fabulous Deborah!!
Hi Cindy,
What a treat to see your gardens! I’m new to your blog and love it! I know what you mean about an established garden, but I’d take one any day over starting from scratch. Your fountains, statuary, and other items are all a lovely complement to your beautiful surroundings. (none as cute as the dog, of course.) I use the same colors you do in my plantings: blue, purple, pink, and white. No orange or red for me! Why don’t you try “New Dawn” as a replacement rose for the one you had on the arbor? Supposedly, you cannot kill it with an ax. I had one for about 15 years before I had to replace it. Please tell us more about your garden, how much you work in it, what went into the design process, any tricks for keeping it so nice, and so on. Also, please tell us the material of your walkways – it looks like gravel but the edges are so neat I wondered if it was poured. Thanks! Judith
Hi Judith!
I have a new dawn actually that I did not show. Awakening I believe is supposedly the “improved” cultivar of New Dawn. I am trying to have fewer roses due to the care involved but I am always tempted ! I do not work in my garden much anymore but I am trying to change that! I have a fabulous gardener that comes once a week for two hours. My husband and I enjoy working in the yard on weekends if we are not at the lake. The paths are gravel (california gold). They have bender board (or plastic now) borders that cannot be seen to keep it in bounds!