06-Carthay Rewilding and Renewal

In contrast to many other native gardens, the design has strong formal elements to complement the house’s traditional architecture. A tightly clipped lemonade berry hedge encloses the front garden. In the back, the garden is organized around a linear axis terminated by a sculpture as a focal point. But within these formal structures beats the garden’s wild heart. Plants were initially selected to mimic the diversity, texture, and fragrances of the chaparral. The species that do well have been allowed to naturalize, including a profusion of buckwheats and spring wildflowers.