Today’s photos come from Stephen Katcher.
I am writing to share some pictures of my garden in Studio City, California. I live with my wife of twenty years, our two daughters, ages 19 and 12, and our two dogs. We’ve lived here since 2004, and what was a passing interest in native and drought-tolerant landscaping became a passion in the great drought we had in California for many years.
Our home is a comfortable midcentury typical of the period, but with limited space for gardening. We pulled up the lawn out front years ago and picked plants that could handle a south-facing exposure and were better adapted to our Zone 9b climate.
Over the years I’ve been drawn to chapparal plants, and you’ll find in my garden Mediterranean, South African, Peruvian, and especially Australian and Californian native plants. I love succulents and bulbs, so you’ll find those tucked around here and there too. I also appreciate interesting barks and forms, and so I get distracted by those from time to time.
Focusing on native and drought-tolerant landscaping does not mean sacrificing beauty! There’s lots to enjoy here, with splashes of bright orange from the native California poppy (Eschscholzia californica, annual).
Five-spot (Nemophila maculata) is another annual plant native to California.
A Meyer lemon (Citrus × meyeri, Zones 8–11) in bloom, with fruits visible in the background.
A variegated euphorbia (probably Euphorbia characias ‘Tasmanian Tiger’, Zones 7–10) shows off in front of a fragrant lavender (Lavandula sp., Zones 5–10).
An Arbutus marina (Zones 9–11) tree with some Urginea maritima (Zones 8–11), succulents, king protea (Protea cynaroides, Zones 9–12), and plenty of California poppies.
Developing flower buds on the king protea.
California poppies bloom away in a mix of diverse foliage and forms.
The blue-green stems of the cactus Cereus peruvianus (Zones 9–11) are always attractive, but when the enormous white flowers open, it is truly over the top!
The flowers on the Cereus peruvianus are followed by these red fruits.
A hummingbird nest, complete with two oh-so-tiny eggs!
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Comments
Oh, my, how grand! Love it all.
What a pleasure to see your beautiful garden...a treat!
Absolutely gorgeous! Love your gardens! I live in Massachsetts with hardy zone 5 annuals and perennials! So wonderful to see a tropical garden!
Terrific pics of a wonderful colorful and diverse garden. Thanks
Wow, a hummingbird nest photo! What an amazing photo!
And your garden so beautiful, I can almost smell California looking at your photos!
Phenomenal photo set, Steven. It's clear you have an artistic sensibility, especially if you're responsible for the visible updates to your "mid-century typical of the period" home: Front doors and garden fencing are as carefully selected as the great plants. The only Cereus genus plant I know is the night-blooming houseplant, and the ginormous plant with extraordinary form, fruits, and flowers is incredible!
Now I've got to look up that native "five spot" to see more images…. a subtle beauty
Amazing plants, and beautiful gardens. You've done a fabulous job creating a special paradise. Congrats, and please send more photos when you can.
Wow, wow, wow... everything about your garden is perfect! California is one of my favorite vacation spots and the poppies are always a joy! Thank you so much for sharing these wonders with us in this not so joyful time.
You certainly have one fascinating looking plants. Just by perusing your photos, I feel like I just got my passport stamped for a visit to a foreign land. Thanks for sharing.
Simply marvelous! I visited California many times but oh so long ago. Never saw such fabulous combinations and plants blooming like yours. Maybe we were always too far north. I'm in Western North Carolina so your pics were a real treat! Thank you!
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