Pebble Beach -- Untitled Garden in Pebble Beach, California

This 1.5-acre garden has been under development since 1994 and its design is sensitive to California's climate of winter rains with dry summers. On the Monterey peninsula in particular water is scarce and expensive with the constant threat of rationing. Therefore, this garden was planted with a special concern for water conservation. The property is narrow, with canyons on each side containing shallow creeks flowing briefly during rains. Quercus agrifolia, native California coastal live oaks, grow naturally throughout the entire site. Along the driveway and open space the predominant grass, Briza maxima or rattlesnake grass, is allowed to remain, providing spring green, and is cut only after reseeding when it might become a fire danger. Iris Douglasiana in blue-violet colors are native throughout, to which are added Pacific Coast hybrids in white as well as tall, white bearded iris Romneya coulteri and narcissus. All are totally resistant to the many deer in the area.

The house and adjoining terrace have a southern exposure for beneficial solar warmth. The garden below has fencing in the canyon in the manner of an English "ha ha." As this garden is under the shade of the oaks, it is all white with a great variety of geophytes, many of South African origin, to take advantage of winter rains and summer dormancy. An exception is made with deciduous azaleas, mostly the California native Rhododendron occidentale. There is also one area of evergreen azaleas including Southern Indica 'Fielders White,' Rutherfordiana 'Alaska' and an unknown variety personally propagated. These azaleas provide a constant green and mid-winter bloom. The only other addition is an annual planting of white Papaver nudicaule on the terrace, but the great variety of geophytes provide some bloom throughout the year.

Persons associated with the property include John Brookes (landscape architect, 1994).