This past September I attended the APLD annual conference in California, where we had the opportunity to tour a wide variety of gardens in the San Francisco area and Napa Valley.
The following residential garden was a wonderful example of how to use art in the landscape. The home belongs to a retired couple, who are avid art collectors, and have created a garden to display their (often whimsical) art collection.
What I love about this garden is that it is deeply personal; and it truly represents the couple and their passion for outdoor art. It wasn’t a highly “designed” garden, but rather a place to wander about until you happened upon a new treasure. The garden plantings focused on ornamental grasses, which provided a stunning backdrop to a variety of art.
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| A metal cauldron from India, turned into a water feature – artist not identified |
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| A sculpture tucked into ornamental grasses – by Mavis McClure |
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| Iron shoe casts used as pathway edging |
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| “Sunbathers” relaxing on the back lawn – by Mavis McClure |
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| Totem set amongst beautiful backlit grasses – by Ken Hepburn |
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| A trio of ceramic poles provide color and a fun vertical element – by Sally Russell |
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| “Ciclista” greets visitors at the door – by Venezuelan artist Eleanora Tuegues |
Decorating an outdoor space is much like decorating an indoor room; incorporating treasured items, that are meaningful to you, adds depth and interest and makes a space feel truly personal.
