Little Spanish Courtyard

This was a little covered patio that needed some updating. Adding foliage, comfortable seating, and a bit of color and playfulness went a long way toward making this an attractive space, where the clients spend a lot more time than they used to.
This is a small property with very little outdoor space to enjoy, so it was important to make this little lanai very comfortable and inviting.

Little Oasis

Before

After

We cleaned things up and purchased quite a few cheery ceramic containers for plants with lush foliage. We hung a Toucan, and added a few other Talavera pieces to bring in color and whimsy.
Ferns and houseplants thrive in this protected environment, with moderate watering. The client asked that I only use non-poisonous plants, and I was happy to work within those limitations.
We hung a fern from the spiral staircase to stop everyone from bumping their heads, and it has worked wonderfully.



The small, narrow back area was not really usable when we got there. The beautiful old bricks were uneven. The Madagascar Jasmine, which is a wonderful climber and somewhat rare, was all over the place. We re-laid the bricks and trellised the Jasmine. We also removed a few spiny plants, and added a Passion Vine to the house side. We planted some Coleus at ground level for color, a good choice as it is non-toxic.
I suggested the client use this narrow area as a playspace for her toddler. It is a perfect spot for a water table, and the perfect space for little people. I've heard it has gotten a lot of use since we left.

Uneven Brick, Messy Foliage

After: Re-laid Brick and Trellised Plants

Detail

DIY Recycled Materials Hanging Basket

My husband helped me re-purpose this fire pit screen. We never liked the way it was attached to our fire pit, so we removed it. And it occurred to us that it would make a pretty cool hanging plant basket. I used some black weed cloth as a liner, and filled it with a cactus mix and a bunch of succulents.

Container Plantings -- Descanso Gardens Part 2

Here is another round of container plantings! More great mixes of colors and textures. I like the way they use grasses, succulents and perennials together. In these pairings, I see the colors playing off each other in a wonderful, complex way. The grey-green of the yucca is lovely with the chalky purple of the echeveria. The sticks on fire orange is echoed by the carex, bringing your eye up and down to take in the whole. I'm told that Mike Brown is responsible for most of these creations.

Love the Carex with the Euphorbia

Pitcher Plant and Dutchman's Pipe! A striking combination of strange forms!

The last three are absolutely giant, probably 24" to 30" pots.

The containers in these plantings are all simple shapes in muted colors (except for one red pot). Their style is contemporary, but not too modern, simple and streamlined, and very traditional. They act as anchors to the plantings, not competing at all with the richness of the textures that spill over them and climb above them.

And here are some nice displays from the gift shop that I find charming and romantic.

Container Plantings -- Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens is a large, beautiful garden about 20 minutes North of Downtown Los Angeles. Here are some of the many lovely container plantings in the front courtyard at the entrance of the Gardens. Wonderful combinations, colors and textures. This is my first post about the gardens, more to come!

I like the Box for Herbs

Field Trip: Rolling Greens Part Two

More pretty things from Rolling Greens!

I love hanging things -- baskets, bromeliads, lights. When hanging something decorative, you are able to use space that is often not otherwise accessible. It is an opportunity for the eye to look up, to supplement the view from a window where planting is not an option. To fill out the space under a tree's canopy, or string lights across a patio and change your experience of the space. Here are some nice ideas for hanging elements and great containers:

Glass planters for tiny plants, like succulents

Lovely metal basket

Epiphytes on chains

Love the Shapes

Mercury

Field Trip: Rolling Greens Part One

Fun! Fun! Fun!

It's a wonderful place to see a selection of sculptural, colorful, climate-appropriate plants.

And a great place to get ideas!

Love the Olive Tree in a Pot

Yes, this is $200, but it is lovely!

Cool basket

Nice, but not knocking my socks off.