Montecito -- Tobey Residence

Years ago there was a cherimoya orchard on the sloping hillside of this three-acre property, covered with woodchips when the current owners installed formal rose, rock and woodland gardens, beginning in 2006. Tall eucalyptus trees for shade and a massive Monterey cypress that was a focal point, as well as an antique stone fountain, were found on the property. Banks of landscape roses including a rose hedge bordering a new swimming pool were integrated with the existing cypress hedge, oaks, olives and arbutus, and sweeping lawns on the upper level of the property. Additional hedges, mature specimen trees, citrus trees and bulbs were planted, and dry stone walls dotted with shaped privet divide a slope into terraces. The old hillside orchard was transformed with a man-made stream that tumbles over rocks with meandering gravel and stone paths that lead downhill to a labyrinth of stone and silver carpet groundcover. There are David Austin shrub roses and large swaths of landscape roses throughout the property with occasional benches for sitting and enjoying the views of gardens, ocean and mountains.

Persons associated with the garden include Mr. and Mrs. Selby Sullivan (former owners, 2002-2006); Don Nulty (architect, 2002-2005); Dan Bifano (master rosarian, 2005-present); Bruce Garcia (stream installation, 2006); Jim Melnik (landscape designer, 2006-2007); Ernesto Flores (head gardener and garden contractor, 2006-present).

Bruce Garcia installed the stream.