Garden Variety

From formal settings to indigenous species that appear untouched by the human hand, the personalities of gardens are virtually unlimited. On these pages, California’s top landscape designers identify prevailing themes.

Appreciating the Classics

Californians may be known for their informality, but classically-themed gardens featuring traditional specialties of topiary and espalier remain popular, according to Anna Hoffman, founding principal of West Hollywood’s Hoffman & Ospina. She reports that classical techniques need not be reserved for large vintage estates and that such gardens can complement any style of architecture. Cutting gardens, which provide welcome color while supplying the home with floral décor, are often combined with other types of landscaping, notes Hoffman. “Cutting gardens attract bees and other pollinators needed for the kitchen, and the California palette is typically a combination of flowers and herbs,” she explains. 

For a Mediterranean-style home in Beverly Hills, Hoffman & Ospina created a compelling combination of classic and cutting garden spaces, reflecting Hoffman’s approach of juxtaposing whimsy and color with a more structured format. At this site she deftly harmonizes more formal topiaries and hedges with free-flowing geraniums, roses, citrus, and lavender, enhanced with water features and antique objets d’art.

A Chef’s Backyard

As home cooks become more ambitious—a trend that spiked during the pandemic—a preference is emerging for gardens that are not only beautiful but support the kitchen as well. Culinary gardens can take various forms, from structured, raised planters to more organic layouts. Landscape designer Christian Douglas, principal of Marin County-based Christian Douglas Design, reports “We believe that growing food and landscaping are synonymous.” Suggesting that function and beauty deserve equal attention in landscape design, he adds, “Food is not a ‘garden’—it is the standout of the space.” 

At an intimate wine country retreat in St. Helena, Douglas created a series of raised planters constructed from redwood beams, situated around a central stone fountain that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. “The strong geometry elevates the space, making it look as elegant and sophisticated as any ornamental element,” says Douglas of a garden that achieves a delicate balance of rusticity and refinement.

Cultivating Consciousness 

A strong current in landscape design, especially in a state perennially confronted by drought, is sustainability. This naturally involves the incorporation of native species that place fewer demands on the existing ecosystem. But sustainability transcends conservation to include elements attracting birds and bees, promoting a biodiverse environment. Landscape designer Patricia Benner, whose Benner Landscape Design maintains offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco, explains, “We’re sensitive to site-appropriate design and are highly knowledgeable about sustainable landscape practices.” 

On a challenging site in Santa Monica’s Rustic Canyon, Benner essentially doubled the residence’s living space by creating a pergola-topped dining area, fireplace-warmed outdoor living room, fountain-enhanced meditative garden, and even an outdoor shower. The designer transformed a steep slope, previously considered unusable, into a series of spaces that comprise a memorable outdoor living experience. “We created a rich, experiential journey along a stairway that features an unfolding series of lovely viewpoints along the path,” reports Benner.