This weekend we jump started our own front garden makeover with an inspiring trip to the Huntington Library's Desert Garden. As much as we love lush gardens, we think the future of Los Angeles' residential landscape is with xeriscaping with drought-tolerant plants. And as you can see, desert landscapes can be everything but drab and barren.
You can also find some great plants at descanso gardens.
view pkswede's profile
I don't think Descanso is an example of xeriscaping.
view laSurfGirl's profile
Huntington, in total, is not an example of xeriscaping either - this particular photographed section is. Huntington has a variety of plant sections, as do all botanical gardens - they have "collections" and call it a "living museum". Descanso has a native garden section that can serve as a role model for a certain approach to landscaping. Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden is an example of all of the acreage being native plants. The Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in Van Nuys is a LUSH Japanese garden done with - you guessed it - all reclaimed water.
The point is that there are many ways to be water-concious in a garden and we benefit from the lessons of all gardens- they are public spaces that are of incredible value in an overcrowded urban environ.
view memorablegatherings's profile