Location:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Year:
2025
Photographer:
Justin Chung
A whimsical, dappled Mediterranean-inspired garden in the foothills of Santa Monica, shaped by Mediterranean planting and the soft shade of a mature sycamore. A worn clay courtyard extends through the house towards the back garden, creating a continuous connection between the interior and the outdoor spaces.
At the centre of the garden, a stone pool sits within the planting rather than apart from it. Groundcovers and flowering plants reach towards the water’s edge, while fruit trees add another layer to the garden and reinforce its connection to a more informal, productive landscape.
The planting draws on both Mediterranean gardens and California’s native flora, with species selected for their ability to soften the architecture and grow together in a loose, naturalistic composition. Ligularia dentata, flowering groundcovers and plants around the pool create a garden that changes gradually across the seasons, while the mature sycamore provides a shifting canopy of light and shade.
The garden was also informed by Potter’s House Mallorca, particularly its treatment of planting at the water’s edge, effortless groundcovers, fruit trees and the use of plants such as Ligularia dentata. The result is a garden that feels established rather than newly constructed, with worn materials, mature vegetation and new planting forming a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere suited to its Southern California setting.
