Rockbridge Road
This property in the historic Montecito neighborhood of Rivenrock, began as a sea of gravel, a few trees, succulents, and not much else. And, due to its location beneath Montecito Peak, it is hot in summer. There was no shade, so sitting in the garden was unthinkable. The vast courtyard on the south side of the house could not be enjoyed because of the exposure and the reflective nature of the hardscape.
The property had good bones, but honestly the garden had nothing to recommend it and was in desperate need of a landscape design makeover.
How to bring beauty into this garden and be cohesive with the contemporary design of the home? There were nothing but straight lines and angles. The owner was a collector of contemporary art so we didn’t want the garden to compete with the vibrant colors of his artwork, thus it was kept a neutral pallet of different greens and whites.
The first area to address was the vast south-facing courtyard that no one ever used. It wasn’t just the exposure, it was that it was too big. The solution was to construct two large raised planters into which were planted four mature Olive trees (which had to be craned over the house).
The clover-leaf pond was original McCormick estate and was of historical significance. Someone had actually suggested that we bury it, but thank goodness the owner recognized its value to historic Montecito and to the property. Bruce Garcia of Garcia rock and Water did the restoration and the end result was magical. We paved around the pond using custom-cut natural stone and the planting was kept simple using a variety of Pittosorum tobira and Falkia groundcover.
Large pots of citrus (purchased from Eye of the Day Garden Design Center) flanked the doors out to the patio helping to soften the white walls.
A formal Rose Garden was constructed using Italian cypress to border the entry of this garden design. Boxwood lined beds filled with Roses, lavender, Shasta daisy and bearded Iris surrounded a circular seating area shaded by an allee of 12 Pyrus Kawakamii evergreen pear trees.
California native trees, Arbutus Marina flank the pool and large pots of citrus sit on either side of the pool house doors. The rest of the planting was kept simple with white agapanthus.
The addition of a drought tolerant “no mow” lawn for the dog and a couple of Arbutus Marina trees for shade completed the south side of the house.
On the west side a large fountain of traditional design (from Eye of the Day) is surrounded by a “secret” garden. Using native Oakleaf hydrangea, pittosporum tobira, Bay laurel, heliotrope and duranta, this garden is full of lush greens, textures and fragrance for year round enjoyment.
An antique fountain (from Eye of the Day) forms another important view garden which includes plantings of Annabelle and Oakleaf Hydrangea within a stand of small oaks.
The perimeter landscape design is a family orchard with everything one could wish for; Mulberry, pomegranate, plum, apricot, lemons, limes, figs, apples and peaches.
The formal entry is flanked by two large pots planted with dwarf olive trees and a couple of very fierce antique lions. I love how you can see all the way through to the pond when at the front door. The iron gate at the front entry was fashioned by SB Forge.
I love adding in a bit of “old world” into contemporary garden design, which in this case was the restoration of the original clover-leaf pond, a formal rose garden and two very traditional fountains and gardens.
I love how it turned out, hope you do too.
xo Lisa
