Garden Photo of the Day

Building a Dream Garden in California

A gardener's progress toward the garden of his dreams

By Fine Gardening editors

Today we’re visiting Donald LaGrand’s garden in Somerset, California.

These photos are from October. The property is just over 4 acres and lies at the foothills of the Sierra Mountains just west of Lake Tahoe. My dream as a gardener is to have a space big enough to create a landscaped area with a massive flower bed, a large vegetable garden with a raised bed, a rose garden, a large pond with a waterfall, and fruit trees, along with paths and benches to encourage guests to meander about with a beverage of their choice in hand as they enjoy the quiet surroundings.

A simple raised bed with yellow bearded irises (Iris germanica, Zones 4–9).

An assortment of flowering lavender plants (Lavandula species and hybrids) that bring beautiful color and, of course, wonderful fragrance to the garden. Lavenders come from the Mediterranean, and so they adapt beautifully to the similar climate of California.

A variegated lavender. There are several variegated lavenders on the market, but this looks to be the striking variety ‘Platinum Blonde’ (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Platinum Blonde’, Zones 6–9).

A beautiful tickseed (Coreopsis) hybrid blooming away. Coreopsis breeding has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years, so if you haven’t grown these plants in a while, it is well worth exploring the new colors, habits, and flower forms now on the market.

A young fuschia in a hanging basket. The nodding flowers are perhaps best appreciated when they tumble over the edge of a basket.

A view of the setting for this garden.

Of course, it would hardly be California without some picturesque rows of grapevines, perhaps just waiting to be made into a “beverage of choice” to enjoy while strolling through the garden.

 

Have a garden you’d like to share?

 

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to GPOD@finegardening.com along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

If you want to send photos in separate emails to the GPOD email box that is just fine.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

You don’t have to be a professional garden photographer – check out our garden photography tips!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Pruning Simplified: A Step-by-Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Pruning Simplified shows you exactly how to do it. This must-have guide offers expert advice on the best tools for the job, specific details on when to prune, and clear instructions on how to prune. Profiles of the 50 most popular trees and shrubs—including azaleas, camellias, clematis, hydrangeas, and more—include illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions that will ensure you make the right cut the first time.
Buy at Amazon

DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm
Buy at Amazon

ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Telescopes from 4 to 7'. Cut and Hold (160) Blades. Drop forged blades for unsurpassed long lasting sharpness. Lightweight, 2.3 lbs., for continued use. Perfectly balanced for easy pruning.
Buy at Amazon
X
View 11 comments

Comments

  1. User avater
    meander_michaele 01/03/2019

    Looks like you are off to a good start in fulfilling your gardener's dreams. Even though it's a ton of work (and, if you are moving around materials for planting, mulching and creating pathways, I do mean "ton" literally), the process and results are hugely gratifying. Best of luck with everything.

    1. user-6294369 01/03/2019

      Thank you! I have a 5 year plan for completing it.

  2. User avater
    treasuresmom 01/03/2019

    Great work!

    1. user-6294369 01/03/2019

      Thank you!

  3. wittyone 01/03/2019

    There's nothing like a real plan to keep you going in the right direction. You are off to a wonderful start and have lots of room to spread out in and a beautiful canvas to work with. Send more pictures as things develop.

  4. btucker9675 01/03/2019

    With those surroundings, you will surely continue to be inspired in the making of your gorgeous garden. Are those California poppies in the raised bed with the yellow iris?

  5. cheryl_c 01/03/2019

    Beautiful plants in a beautiful setting. Best wishes to you as you continue to explore plants suitable for your climate, and discover unexpected pleasures and treasures along the way!

  6. Musette1 01/03/2019

    Donald, you're off to a great start! It is a lovely garden!!! Digging the variegated lavender, but not as much as I'm digging the tractor!!! Oh, for that tractor! ;-)

    1. user-6294369 01/03/2019

      Thank you!!?

  7. user-6294369 01/03/2019

    Thank you ?

  8. User avater
    ShannonGalloway 01/14/2019

    I really like this flowers.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Related Articles

The Latest

Design
Gardening Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day 2025

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show your love and appreciation than with a gift that nurtures her passion for the garden? Whether she’s…
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants
Episode 179: Most Beautiful Flowers  

If your pulse quickens at the sight of a dogwood or peony in full bloom, this is the episode for you. Although a restrained, foliage-focused design is always a safe…
How-To
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard

Invasive plants aren’t just unsightly weeds with bad manners. They can cause serious ecological damage, threaten biodiversity, and even put human health and safety at risk. These nonnative species are…

Video

View All Videos
Design

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping—not because you’re likely to trip on something, but because you might be dive-bombed by a pair…
Design

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder's Garden
How-To

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 179: Most Beautiful Flowers  
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 178: Best Interview Moments from Let's Argue About Plants