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Garden 1 in Acton Garden 1 in Acton Garden 1 in Acton Garden 1 in Acton Garden 1 in Acton

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 1 in Acton

Local plant species and hardscape materials enhance this extensive, owner-designed twelve-year-old landscape – an outstanding example of a high-elevation garden. “A house and its gardens should look like they have always been there,” says its owner. Flowering shrubs, maturing trees, wildflowers and bulbs provide color, fragrance and habitat for wildlife. The landscape includes a small vineyard, as well as a wind-turbine that generates most of the residents’ power.

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Garden 2 in Canoga Park Garden 2 in Canoga Park Garden 2 in Canoga Park Garden 2 in Canoga Park Garden 2 in Canoga Park

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 2 in Canoga Park

Renovation directed by Theodore Payne’s very own Lisa Novick with original garden design by Katherine Spitz. Installed by police officers, interns and community members, this 30,000 sq. ft. garden demonstrates native plants that thrive with minimal irrigation in the extreme heat and sun of the west valley, as well as in heavy clay soil. Design: The Theodore Payne Foundation

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Garden 3 in Woodland Hills Garden 3 in Woodland Hills Garden 3 in Woodland Hills Garden 3 in Woodland Hills Garden 3 in Woodland Hills Garden 3 in Woodland Hills

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 3 in Woodland Hills

This woodland garden has evolved over more than two decades thanks to the passion and dedication of the homeowners. Several stunning mature native plants, a dry streambed, permeable hardscaping and a drainage design that captures and delivers rain water to native sycamores are just some of the unique features of this property. An eclectic back yard integrates natives and useful edibles in a harmonious, permaculture-style garden.

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Garden 4 in Burbank Garden 4 in Burbank Garden 4 in Burbank Garden 4 in Burbank Garden 4 in Burbank Garden 4 in Burbank

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 4 in Burbank

They killed their lawn! This two-year-old, owner-designed, 1250 sq. ft. front yard is now a thriving wildlife habitat and gathering place for family and entertaining—and a showcase for colorful, fragrant native flora, water conservation, and energy and waste reduction.

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Garden 5 in Shadow Hills Garden 5 in Shadow Hills Garden 5 in Shadow Hills Garden 5 in Shadow Hills Garden 5 in Shadow Hills Garden 5 in Shadow Hills

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 5 in Shadow Hills

A carefully chosen plant palette (including uncommon Rhus lentii and Quercus tomentella, and rare and endangered Mahonia nevinii) enhances this front and back garden first planted in the late 1990s. Low maintenance and wildlife habitat were major goals; both were achieved. The style is “relaxed.” Total garden space: approx. 8,000 sq. ft. Design: Rick Fisher, Toyon Design, Landscape Architecture and the owners.

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Garden 6 in La Cañada Flintridge Garden 6 in La Cañada Flintridge Garden 6 in La Cañada Flintridge Garden 6 in La Cañada Flintridge Garden 6 in La Cañada Flintridge Garden 6 in La Cañada Flintridge

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 6 in La Cañada Flintridge

The owners used a predominantly native plant palette to restore the large, rambling terraced landscape of a 1948 Mid-Century Modern house designed by Lloyd Wright Jr. (son of Frank Lloyd Wright). The garden, begun in 2004, includes areas of sun and shade, and transitions from formal placement near the house to a naturalistic setting in the lower yard. An energy- and water-guzzling swimming pool was replaced by a formal garden, designed by Dryden Helgoe Landscape Design, featuring California native trees and succulents surrounding a reflecting pool.

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Garden 7 in Altadena Garden 7 in Altadena Garden 7 in Altadena Garden 7 in Altadena Garden 7 in Altadena Garden 7 in Altadena

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 7 in Altadena

This large maturing landscape offers varied spaces and mass plantings, including a sun-baked street-side garden, woodland flora beneath massive trees, riparian plants along a running stream and chaparral natives surrounding a stone “council circle.” Altogether, a verdant sanctuary for both people and wildlife with a sense of elegant, wild beauty. Design: Terra Design

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Garden 8 in Altadena Garden 8 in Altadena Garden 8 in Altadena

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 8 in Altadena

This long, narrow eight-year-old garden is semi-formal in style, with winding path, gabion wall, and rammed-earth bench nestled below a century-old coast live oak. Watch for spring wildflowers, a dudleya-studded cliff, many rare plants from California and Baja, and an art installation, “The History of the West.” Garden size: approx. 6,000 sq. ft. Design: Scrub Jay Studios

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Garden 9 in Pasadena Garden 9 in Pasadena Garden 9 in Pasadena Garden 9 in Pasadena Garden 9 in Pasadena Garden 9 in Pasadena

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 9 in Pasadena

Planted in 2007, this 2000 sq. ft. modern garden has an inviting native front yard with creatively re-used elements of the home’s original hardscape, including a designer-built metal fence. The backyard integrates edibles and natives, and features a children’s play area with a slide that lands onto a soft yarrow lawn.

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Garden 10 in Pasadena Garden 10 in Pasadena Garden 10 in Pasadena Garden 10 in Pasadena Garden 10 in Pasadena

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 10 in Pasadena

This small predominantly native landscape is eight years old and evolving. Front, side and back plantings totaling less than 2,000 sq. ft. display easy-to-grow shrubs, sages and spring wildflowers that attract hummingbirds and provide shelter and seed for other birds. The owner is partial to purple and orange flowers. Design assistance: Laura Bauer

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Garden 11 in Pasadena Garden 11 in Pasadena Garden 11 in Pasadena Garden 11 in Pasadena Garden 11 in Pasadena Garden 11 in Pasadena

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 11 in Pasadena

The front yard of this eight-year-old, owner-designed 1/3-acre “eclectic green space” includes drought-tolerant native and non-native plants, a dry stream bed beneath an old incense cedar, and a low-care parking strip. Behind the classic Bungalow-style home, featured in American Bungalow magazine, natives are paired with succulents and also used to attract pollinators to herbs, vegetables and mature fruit trees. Recipient of Pasadena Beautiful’s Golden Arrow Award and featured in Fall 2012 American Bungalow magazine.

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Garden 12 in Pasadena Garden 12 in Pasadena Garden 12 in Pasadena Garden 12 in Pasadena

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 12 in Pasadena

This English cottage-style front, parking strip and side garden was planted in 2010 and totals less than 2,000 sq. ft. Notable features include a dry stream bed that diverts and absorbs runoff, flagstone patio with birdbath, and a 100% native plant palette selected for insect habitat and waves of seasonal color. Design assistance: Greg Rubin, California’s Own Native Landscape Design.

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Garden 13 in Sierra Madre Garden 13 in Sierra Madre Garden 13 in Sierra Madre Garden 13 in Sierra Madre

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 13 in Sierra Madre

This demonstration garden, installed through a grant from the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, is largely south-facing, with a variety of natives that thrive under the canopy of mature sycamore trees. Issues of maintaining visibility along the front of the school, and using the garden for classroom lessons, drove many of the plant choices. Other garden features include a dry streambed and the use of local boulders from the San Gabriel River flood plain. Orange trees were added to reflect the historic nature of the campus. Design: Environs Landscape Architects with assistance from The Theodore Payne Foundation. Additional Design/Project Support from: Amy Whist Garden Design
; Karen Walker Chamberlin; 
Shirley Barrett; Skanska and Marina Landscape.

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Garden 14 in Sierra Madre Garden 14 in Sierra Madre Garden 14 in Sierra Madre Garden 14 in Sierra Madre Garden 14 in Sierra Madre

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 14 in Sierra Madre

This foothill landscape showcases unusual plants from the San Gabriel Mts. and local wilderness. The steep, narrow 4,000 sq. ft. garden, begun early 2011, includes terraces of local stone, rock water features, permeable paving, drains and swales, and formal and woodland plantings. Design: Orchid Black, Native Sanctuary

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Garden 15 in Monrovia Garden 15 in Monrovia Garden 15 in Monrovia

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 15 in Monrovia

The style of this four-year-old 10,000 sq. ft. garden is natural, with desert and Channel Islands flora in front and oak woodland plants in back. The owners wanted privacy and year-round fragrance, color and interest. The nearly 100% native palette includes many hard-to-find species and cultivars. Percolation beds, infiltration pits and a rill direct and retain water. Well-placed boulders protect the corner property from speeding cars. Design: Scrub Jay Studios.

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Garden 16 in Pasadena Garden 16 in Pasadena

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 16 in Pasadena

Started in 2005, the plants selected for this cottage-style garden with elegant woodland elements provide a certified wildlife and bird habitat, as well as beautiful and serene private spaces for human inhabitants to retreat from street noise. Located on a former lakebed, this garden features plants that tolerate heavy clay soil and features an enchanting outdoor garden room, permeable paving materials, as well as a kitchen and cutting garden. Design: Terra Design

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Garden 17 in Pasadena Garden 17 in Pasadena Garden 17 in Pasadena Garden 17 in Pasadena Garden 17 in Pasadena

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 17 in Pasadena

This half-acre property has been transforming over the past five years with the addition of mass native plantings that create a “wild” woodland garden that attracts native insects, birds, butterflies. In addition to a large heritage oak, the garden also features creative recycled hardscape elements. Owner designed.

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Garden 18 in Atwater Village Garden 7 in Atwater Village Garden 7 in Atwater Village Garden 7 in Atwater Village

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 18 in Atwater Village

This owner-designed, 6250 sq. ft. garden was started in 1999 and uses no supplemental water. The cottage/woodland-style front plantings include manzanita, sage and oak. The more formally designed backyard mixes natives with other Mediterranean-climate plants. Both spaces were created for fragrance, wildlife value, water conservation, energy reduction, privacy and easy maintenance.

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Garden 19 in Silver Lake Garden 19 in Silver Lake Garden 19 in Silver Lake Garden 19 in Silver Lake Garden 19 in Silver Lake Garden 19 in Silver Lake

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 19 in Silver Lake

The clean, uncomplicated aesthetic of this owner-designed garden features a massing of fairy dusters and native bunch grasses in the front yard. The back includes terraces, multiple small-space vignettes, and child-friendly raised vegetable beds. Homeowners started this native garden in 2008 to minimize water use and support local wildlife. In 2012 they brought more natives to the neighborhood by spear-heading the community native garden located across the street at the Silver Lake Meadow, which is well worth a peek!

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Garden 20 in Echo Park Garden 20 in Echo Park Garden 20 in Echo Park Garden 20 in Echo Park Garden 20 in Echo Park Garden 20 in Echo Park

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 20 in Echo Park

Perched atop a sandstone hillside, this 5,000 sq. ft. predominantly native landscape began its transformation four years ago. Plants were selected to create more habitat for the wildlife that inhabit an adjacent undisturbed hillside and to provide year-round color and fragrance for the homeowner. A majestic 200 year-old oak tree, permeable hardscape, elegant water features, meandering pathways and peaceful seating areas are some of the additional treasures on this distinctive property. Design: Fleur Nooyen and Associates LLC

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Garden 21 in Echo Park Garden 21 in Echo Park Garden 21 in Echo Park Garden 21 in Echo Park Garden 21 in Echo Park Garden 21 in Echo Park

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 21 in Echo Park

A wooden fence artfully peppered with stained glass windows frames this eclectic front yard, created from scratch four years ago by the homeowner. Native plants were selected to invite wildlife, conserve water, and provide seasonal interest. Local materials resourcefully used include a large mound built from soil excavated during house construction and garden boulders rescued from excavation. Carefully placed fallen tree branches and mulched pathways contribute to the organic feel of this garden.

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Garden 22 in Silver Lake

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 22 in Silver Lake

A spectacular curbside wildflower display draws passersby toward this garden. Started in 2000, the owner has achieved a balance of perennial favorites and seasonal blooms to create a casual, vibrant landscape that includes ceanothus, buckwheat, sage, matilija poppy and more, all requiring little supplemental water.

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Garden 23 in Silver Lake Garden 23 in Silver Lake Garden 23 in Silver Lake Garden 23 in Silver Lake

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 23 in Silver Lake

Over half of this 2,000 sq. ft. zen landscape is native. First planted in 1999, the goals were to create a certified wildlife habitat, reduce irrigation, and create outdoor living spaces for quiet contemplation. Features include a pond, Santa Cruz Island ironwood, and 20-foot-tall valley oak lovingly nurtured from seed.

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Garden 24 in Los Feliz Garden 6 in Los Feliz Garden 6 in Los Feliz

On 01, Jan 2013 | In | By TPF

Garden 24 in Los Feliz

This child-friendly landscape (installed 2010 and totaling 5,000 sq. ft.) includes a bit of everything: a small water feature, fire pit, kitchen garden and native plants that conserve water and feed native birds, as well as butterflies and other insects. The style is “native contemporary.” Design: Kathleen Ferguson Landscapes.

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