Modern glass home sited among native Oak landscape in afternoon sunlight, California native plant garden, Santa Barbara,

View 1: Looking north – California estate with native plant garden

A colleague who supports my work told me recently: “I am working with the reporter to find a stunning, estate type [California] native plant garden for article. She loved the [Xyz garden] but her editors didn’t think the naturalistic landscaping would get the attention of their readers.”

My response – ” ?! – The editors have their heads up their …”, which is better understood knowing it is an East Coast publisher.

Modern home with stone patio overlooking Pacific Ocean with California native plant garden and Carex pansa lawn substitute in late afternoon light, Santa Barbara,

View 2: Looking south – California estate with native plant garden

There is much going on in the gardening world.  Ask any real gardener.  Just don’t look for the cool stuff in a traditional publication.  If a writer (or photojournalist in this case) wants to pursue something a bit different, s/he needs to do it him/er self.

Carex pansa, sedge meadow lawn substitute groundcover around glass home with California native plant garden, Santa Barbara,

View 3: Looking west – California estate with native plant garden

On  recent trip to Southern California I found one of the most inspiring gardens in a long while – an estate perched on a mountain overlooking the ocean.  While there are many environmentally sensitive gardeners who are using more and more native plants, estate owners are a usually more reluctant.  No reason to go into those reasons here, but suffice it to say – to show, there are estates planning for sustainability.

To find such a garden and an owner willing to share it, is a special treat and opportunity to spread the word – sustainable, native plant gardens can be beautiful.

Modern glass home on hill with California native plant garden, Santa Barbara,

View 4: Inner courtyard – California estate with native plant garden

Does this get anyone’s attention ?  Should this sort of garden be published ?  I think so – so I will do it myself.  I hope those of you who are not already members of PhotoBotanic will join me in this self publishing adventure.