April 19, 2009 – May 17, 2009

This breathtakingly beautiful and inherently practical outdoor space showcases the very latest in sustainable landscaping practices and technologies.

The custom garden bridges the gap between the formal home and the tennis court, filling the senses with fragrance, beauty, and the sounds of nature.  A grand bluestone stairway centered on the garden segues to a decomposed granite patio.  Adorned with architectural ornaments, including antique lanterns, magic mushrooms, and a native dry river garden, the patio provides a whimsical, invigorating place to lounge while friends practice their serves.

While vital and lush, this space produces a minimal carbon footprint.  It was constructed using sustainable, water-wise practices, renewable resources, responsible sources, and health-conscious products.  It’s LED lighting uses 80 percent less energy than other options. Permeable paving facilitates drainage while mitigating run-off. The native plants consume less water, and cutting-edge irrigation technologies further reduce water consumption by 50 percent or more.

For those interested in ecologically responsible landscaping, this demonstration garden proves xerscape is far from the only option.  The Pasadena Showcase Home’s sustainable landscape is vibrant, distinctive, and compatible with one of Los Angeles’ more formal architectural styles, a true model for sustainable outdoor living.

April 4, 2009 – April 5, 2009

Four gardens designed and installed by FormLA Landscaping are featured on this self-guided tour of Los Angeles’ most noteworthy native residential landscapes. Each FormLA produced garden contains 70-100 percent native plants, reflecting the garden owners’ commitment to sustainable living.

In touring the FormLA gardens, visitors will experience both basic and cutting edge approaches to sustainable landscaping. In Markota, Palmer, and Rosen gardens, Mediterraneans mix with native plants to create focal points, accent the architecture, and soften paths and walks.. The Sanchez outdoor living spaces are comprised entirely of California Natives, echoing nature in its truest form. Taking further lessons from California’s wild spaces, FormLA utilized climate-compatible plants to turn challenging terrain, including tight spaces and steep slopes, into breathtakingly beautiful and inviting outdoor living spaces.

In addition to the living landscape, visitors will see some of FormLA’s compelling custom work. At the Markota residence, for example, FormLA built a cage for two desert tortoises. The Rosen residence incorporates a variety of outdoor art assembled from recycled parts and blown glass, including a Hawk made of a motorcycle fuel tank. Both the Palmer and Sanchez residences incorporate native meadows, which deliver the functionality and beauty of a traditional lawn while requiring less water and maintenance.

We are happy to have this opportunity to show you these distinct, sustainable outdoor living spaces and grateful to the participating clients for sharing their outdoor homes.

More information: Theodore Payne Foundation Native Plant Garden Tour