English garden

A former worker cottage was transformed into a writer's East Coast stone cottage. The barren site of old turf and concrete and stately oaks was revitalized with English formal and informal gardens, sculptural climate adapted and native plantings and a native no mow lawn. A secret tropical garden graces an alcove behind the guest house with a flourishing Mediterranean flower garden in the raised front entrance. Through protection of the majestic oaks and native California underplantings, this project achieved 30% native plant coverage.