i just returned from a restful retreat in mexico and am feeling ready to tackle the world (or at least the holiday season :)

it's been a while since i shared some current work. we really have to get back and take photos of all of the great projects we have been working on lately. for now, i'll share conzuelo and mike's garden in silver lake.

m & they came to us to shape up and customize their little space and make it kid friendly for their son. so far we have tiled the hardscape, built out a custom day bed/bench which we have tiled with the most beautiful tile that we designed! we just finished the pergola and we'll be planting up the garden and adding synthetic grass for a play area. i'll take more overall photos when we have everything complete.










this is mid-pergola building - the finished pergola is stunning and just needs to get sealed. it's amazing how much larger their space feels now.

heading out for now, you can find us at Unique LA this weekend at the CA market center. we'll be in booth 178.

lotusland

here to share photos of our trip to the beautiful gardens of lotusland in santa barbara in an effort to make you forget how long it has been since i last blogged.



is it working?

waiting

i took photos of all of these plants waiting patiently in our holding zone to go into their new home this week. i feel that having a tight color palette is so important to a garden. it's really what ties the design together. this one is such a lovely mix of colors and textures with the silver artemesia, dudleya and salvia to the pink echeveria, heuchera, thyme and sedum.

the wild side

recent photos of a garden install from march '09...

linda wanted a wild feeling garden and she loves color. i was inspired by the gorgeous newly built house. we used sculptural agave attenuata, agave vilmoriana and those gorgeous olive trees (which look like they've been there forever!) to create structure within the space. the wildness comes from the lavenders, sages and groundcover geraniums. i love the final effect after the plants have filled in. it feels like you are on a santa barbara estate - not a small lot in manhattan beach.

i'll try to get photos of the back soon which includes a built in jacuzzi, beautiful fountain, built in bbq zone, and a covetable fire pit.

plant we love - Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow'

wow, july just flew right by didn't it? it's been quiet here on the ol' blog, but not in the garden. things are getting hot and for our heat loving plant species, now is the time for them to shine! the garden looks so good right now, so we wanted to introduce you to one of our new favorite plant varieties





Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow' (spurge) is a stunning perennial with clusters of variegated foliage and flowers. the narrow leaves are grey-green with a striking yellow edge which become flushed with shades of red, pink, and orange in the cooler months, while the showy tubular flowers are cream, lime, and green with a ruby-red center in spring. compact, forming a neat mound 20” high and wide, Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow' is ideal for containers as well as the front or middle of the border. highly heat and drought tolerant, plants are best suited to full sun, well drained soils and moderate water. hardy to 0F.

Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow' is available this week in 4” pots, 1 and 5 gallon containers.

field trip

i picked up some AMAZE ing tillandsias today. they are on sale at the shop (with the rest of the plants in stock) this friday and saturday. come get the best pick as they go fast.

we are closed on sunday. happy 4th!

june gloom

the foggy june gloom is just burning off here at the shop. everyone complains about it, but i say keep it coming because i know what happens after: sweltering heat! (the flowers and plants cringe as i write this you know...) besides my sanity, the gloom is also good for photo taking. there is an extraordinary light peaking through those clouds.

it's friday. have a great weekend everyone!

a venteux weekend

how excited was i when i got a call from two of my favorite clients telling me that they had purchased a vineyard in paso robles! i'm just thrilled for them, and even more thrilled to help them shape the outdoors into their dream space for their family and friends. the big hole being dug is for the pool. we are also adding an outdoor kitchen, play court, potager garden, and lounging areas.

venteux vineyards is about 10 acres of productive vines and 3 structures which house the wine making operations, the tasting room, the living quarters, and an active bed and breakfast. if you find yourself looking for an escape from san francisco or la (they are smack in the middle) i would highly recommend calling them. the site is gorgeous and their wines are truly top notch. and while you're at it, don't leave paso without eating at artisan! it was beyond...

a front garden favorite

yesterday i revisited two gardens that i designed a while ago. it's so important to do this as a designer. you can learn so much about how the garden maintains over time and how your tastes change. i was thrilled that i am even more in love with these gardens than i was a year ago.

the photos above are the front yard of one of my very first projects out on my own - about 3 years ago and i couldn't be happier with how it has taken shape. i'm working again with this couple on a very very exciting new venture for them in paso robles. i'm heading there this weekend to do a site tour and some very important research!

fruit and vegetable harvest

spring bounty is on at the shop. our 15 gallon fruit trees are filled with fruit! we have pomegranite flowering, plums ripening, figs galore, and persimmons which i am especially excited about. our vegetable boxes are turning over a nice harvest as well. my broccoli is beautiful and it is looking like a great heirloom tomato season. we still have a great selection of vegetable starts including some amazing french melons and squash which are perfect to put in the ground now. see you soon!

sunday evening playing catch up on design work at the shop. i look over and this little guy is keeping me company on the window screen! maybe the praying mantis is my spirit animal, i sure do run into them alot... i'm not too sure what that means for tomas, poor guy.

through the ups and downs of having your own business, it's really great work to get to share the process with your sister.

i started everything gardens 3 years ago this may. it wasn't long before i talked steph into moving from pittsburgh to help me on this adventure. we've learned so much, grown so much. i'm feeling very appreciative of her today... especially so when everyone coming into the shop is oohing and ahhing over her gorgeous floral arrangements. so, thank you stephanie for being my creative and kick-ass partner.

also, if you missed it yesterday, we contributed some of our tips for running a family business on design sponge.

this week we spent some time planning our interior shop remodel... picking out new paint colors, looking at shelving and furniture. we can't wait to get started. we're going to have a big summer party when we're all done, so stay tuned.

we have a great flower stock for the weekend including some knockout peonies and our heirloom tomato plants are on sale. come in and see us!

by the way, if you love baking, check out this site, YUM!