Still road tripping on the Mary Lou Heard Memorial Garden Tour 2017!

The HELEN MOLLES garden in SEAL BEACH

This front garden is a riot of color, scent and wildlife and is designated a WWF Monarch Way Station. The nasturtiums weave their way through, up and over star jasmine used as ground cover. A punch of purple is provided by Durant erecta (or D. repens depending on your references material) whose inflorescence is seen below.

A secondary path spans the front allowing you more opportunities to watch the birds and butterflies partake in all this garden has to offer.

The side yard has been used equally  well with a variety of vines, perennials, ferns and lots of interesting art and artifacts. Layers of plant material give you a sense of enclosure and privacy in the back garden which features a calming Koi pond. The gardens are completely self constructed, including the pond and hardscape.

The homeowner’s legacy as an art teacher is seen throughout with her own work and pieces from her former students. I was really taken by this series of little sculpted heads used as a border! As we exited the back garden she invited us to do a little chalk art on her wall by drawing our favorite flower.

 

The BRIAN & DYLAN DAVIS garden in FOUNTAIN VALLEY

Father and son worked together over a number of years to create a backyard haven for their turtles and Koi. They designed and built multiple ponds, large and small, and even chronicled their progress on Instagram. The ponds wind through a myriad of plant materials with a decidedly tropical flavor.

Bravo to working together to create something beautiful and sharing it with all of us!

 

The JANE KAMENTSER garden in FOUNTAIN VALLEY

Garden rooms filled with roses, hydrangeas and other colorful perennials flow from front to back offering many places to relax, dine and entertain. This gardener sought to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living spaces as well as provide feelings of enclosure and privacy while indulging her love of all things flowering.

Sculpture graces many of the gathering spaces. The soothing sounds of moving water are everywhere.

 

I’ll feature our last three MLH garden stops in my next post. After a fortifying meal and a good night’s rest, Judi and I hopped back in her car the very next day to take in seven gardens showcased at The Garden Conservancy’s Los Angeles Open Day, May 7. Stay tuned!