Garden Photo of the Day

Gardening in Altadena Meadows

A home garden superbloom

By GPOD Contributor
large dinosaur statue in a meadow garden

Today we’re in Altadena Meadows, California, visiting Andrea Donnellan’s beautiful garden. This is a space she created with the designer Arturo Pedroza. He designed the garden and put in the initial plants. That has evolved into a gardening partnership over the years. When her son was small, they put in a lawn and then later converted it to the more water-responsible garden that is there now.

Each year, Andrea scatters wildflower seeds, and the abundant winter rains in California this year have turned the garden into a colorful superbloom.

mass plantings of orange and purple flowers
Sheets of California poppies (Eschscholzia californica, annual) fill the garden with bright orange, complementing the purple flowers of lavender (Lavandula stoechas, Zones 7–9).

large dinosaur statue in a meadow garden
The garden’s resident dinosaur is enjoying the superbloom as well.

another view of dinosaur statue amongst orange poppies
The poppies are absolutely stunning.

close up of three orange California poppies
California poppies are native to the west coast of North America, but they thrive as annuals in many gardens. There are selected forms in a wide range of colors, but it is hard to beat the original bright sunny orange.

purple daisies next to small blue flowers
Andrea first planted African daisy (Osteospermum hybrid, Zones 10–11 or grown as an annual) in front of the house, and now it volunteers along their parkway. In the foreground are the delicate blue flowers of the California native baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii, annual).

close up of purple African daisy flowers
A closer look at the African daisy flowers.

close up of low-growing small pink flowers
Rosea purple iceplant (Drosanthemum floribundum, Zones 10–11) was planted nearly three decades ago and is still adding beautiful color to the hillside.

wide view of water-wise meadow garden at sunset
This water-wise garden includes many natives while also being a really beautiful space.

 

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View 8 comments

Comments

  1. MohawkValley 05/09/2023

    Talk about a Garden of Eden ... Absolutely stunning . Nice job!

  2. user-7392754 05/09/2023

    Gorgeous!!!! The T-Rex adds so much fun and flare!!!

  3. sheila_schultz 05/09/2023

    T-Rex overseeing his Kingdom of wildflowers and the magnificent colors of the surrounding perennials. A true pollinator's paradise and child's imagination. playground! I'm still grinning with joy. Thank you for a lovely start to my day!

  4. btucker9675 05/09/2023

    Glorious!!!! Hope T-Rex doesn't trample too many blooms!

  5. User avater
    vanhatalosuomi 05/10/2023

    Fantastic garden - really enjoyed the chance to see your space!

  6. user-7821942 05/10/2023

    Okay, magnificent flowers and a dinosaur? So amazing. So inspiring. So Jurassic. Love it!

  7. User avater
    simplesue 05/12/2023

    Beautiful, and I love those California poppies!

  8. Katearger 05/19/2023

    The image of the dinosaur in the garden and territorial io become harmonious and beautiful.

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