3237 Glendon Avenue

When the owner, a landscaper (Tanglevine) moved in eight years ago, the front yard was just a 1000 square foot grass hillside. Today it is an eclectic mix low water, bee and insect friendly flowers and shrubs evocative of the colorful gardens in Venice and Santa Barbara that the owner loves.

Rather than trying to achieve a particular ‘style,’ the owner wanted a free-form mixture of plants. The result is a garden in which aloes live happily next to lavender, roses, fruit trees and agaves—a living tapestry has evolved and changed over the years. It reflects the owner’s instincts for mixing colors and textures.

Beginning the garden makeover, the owner decided to invest in a two-person crew to remove all the sod as well as a roll off bin and lots of soil amendments. It was well worth the money. The crew dug 2-3 three inches off the top to remove all the roots, and the amended soil has been fertile and healthy ever since.

Once the soil was prepared, the fun part began: picking plants. The owner’s choices include pencil cactus, Echium, oak leaf hydrangea, a Japanese maple, stipa grass and many varieties of lavender. These plants have thrived over the years. A rose garden in the center of the yard offers a profusion of orange and peach blooms. The owner plants two wine barrels near the curb with a rotating display of seasonal color—currently anemones.

Hummingbirds, bees and spiders visit the garden daily. Occasionally the owner catches a glimpse of a lizard, grasshopper or dragonfly.

The garden has taught the owner a lot about patience and trial and error. It’s a process that can’t be rushed, but one that is extremely rewarding!

3551 Tilden Avenue

This very large garden is designed primarily for asthetics. The owner’s foremost consideration was colors and textures. Eco-Nomical Landscape certainly achieved this goal!

A blooming cactus stands sentry at the front entrance

Wide swaths of gravel separate islands planted with cacti, succulents and other drought-tolerant plants. Even in winter, there are spots of color and the backyard is fragrant with the aroma of orange blossoms.

Only a few backyard trees remain from the original landscaping. They are joined by several fruit trees. A large flagstone seating area provides a vantage point for enjoying the garden.

2561 Barry Avenue

Outdoor living space surrounded by a sustainable garden! 
 

This sustainable, water-wise garden wraps around the house providing outdoor spaces for lounging, dining and entertaining. Designed by Ania Lejman of ALD Landscape Design/Build and completed in early 2010, it replaced turf with permeable paving of decomposed granite, gravel and Santa Barbara area stone. The garden maximizes outdoor living while minimizing maintenance and upkeep. Barbeques with friends, bird and insect activity, and encounters with friendly neighbors have all increased since completion of the garden makeover. See before shots in this wonderful profile by Lisa Boone in the LA Times Pro Portfolio.

The low-lying front landscape is a mix of drought tolerant native plants and succulents. Small trees retained from the original garden—including a Southwestern native acacia that is home to hummingbirds and finches—provide a canopy of shade. A low stucco wall topped by a wood trellis separates the yard from the street, providing a sense of privacy while still permitting the owner to meet and greet neighbors while lounging on the front patio.  The owner has met more neighbors in the past year than in the 15 years before the garden makeover.

A walkway of flagstone and decomposed granite—lined with a sweep of steely-blue Leymus grass and rosemary and anchored with dwarf citrus trees—leads to the backyard.  Herbs grow in built in planters conveniently located next to the kitchen door.

In a corner of the backyard, low-voltage lighting highlights the beautiful structure of a 100-year old prolifically fruiting avocado tree. Permeable gravel surrounds the tree. A generously sized corner built-in seating area with a gas-fed cast iron fire bowl make this a cozy space top lounge after an outdoor dinner with friends.

A low-emitter drip system, run once weekly, irrigates the garden. The landscape designer will be available to answer questions during the Tour. Visitors can also see the solar panels and tankless water heater.