Marianne Simon Poetic Plantings Landscape Design and Water Gardens

A garden does not exist in isolation. It is influenced by the architecture of the house, the neighborhood, and often a view. Perched on a bluff in Westchester, this garden overlooks Sepulveda Blvd and a distant mall. By daylight, the view is softened by two Jacarandas and surrounding plantings. But by night, the lights beyond create an intriguing visual that is enhanced by the firepit in the foreground.

One of the big challenges with this location in Burbank was the odd site shape and the many angles on the house. But as often happens, the site's challenges became opportunities. And we were able to create a series of unique living and planting areas that flowed around the property.

The goal for this project, located in the hills of Rancho Palos Verde, was to create a welcoming living area, an outdoor bathroom and an attractive carport. The client needed lots of room for their large family and wanted to be able to enjoy their garden in all seasons. The result was an outdoor cabana, an overhead structure that combined a metal roof with lots of vines to integrate it into the garden setting, and a similar carport structure that would protect the vehicles without being an eyesore in the garden.

Heaven is dozing in a comfortable chair, surrounded by the soothing sound of birds twittering. The sun warms your skin, and the air is filled with the pungent smells of Mediterranean plantings. Sustainable is the healthy soil of this garden, the water wise plantings selected, the careful irrigation, and pollinators attracted to the native varieties specifically planted for their use. Photos by Cat Gwynn (Catgwynn.com).

There is a reason classic gardens hold such charm for us: their linear lines and strong focal points help us feel comfortable and organized. In the case of this garden, graceful blooming flowers were framed by architectural plantings to create a romantic, welcoming atmosphere. Plants selected included traditional lavenders and salvias, along with roses, boxwood, rosemary and cranesbill. A combination of flagstone and gravel was used for the hardscape.