Treasures of Strange Origin Garden

The Malcom Garden

As soon as you spot the golf club bouquet at the entry gate, you know you are in a special place. This garden is 6-years old, and the 6-year old within will rejoice in this "Disneyesque" world.

Edging the parking strip, a conveyor belt wards off the weeds. Waving grasses welcome visitors. Berms host drought-tolerant perennials and shrubs, including an olive tree to the north and a Rosa glauca to the south. Golden hops and Akebia quinata vines explode against the bamboo fence. Muscat grape snakes over the entry arbor and wooly thyme sleeps beneath.

Inside, the former lawn is now filled with edibles and native plants which are interplanted with vine maple, Mahonia, witch hazel and salvias. Non-native Stealth Bomber sculpture parts reincarnate as trellises. A strawberry tree dominates the north corner. Bearing left along the south side of the house, note the Azara shrub sprouting from an oil drum and an elephant from a playground slide. The FDR rhodie to the left has striking variegation.

Though a sculptor at heart, the husband built the benches, fences, steel boxes, and low cement walls; he hand dug the sunken patio! His 3-story dream studio is under construction and will include room for his wife to design wreaths, bouquets and succulent containers. Vintage tins display her artistry throughout the garden.

Honeysuckle clambers over a WWII-vintage Howitzer cannon frame; a laser-guided bomb nestles nearby. Tetrapanax, used to make Chinese rice paper, a cedar tree, fig tree and artichoke ground the rear garden. Stroll through the north-flanking arbor, under the hanging squash, and gaze through the windows for a final view.

Exit on the north side of the house and pass ferns, Epimedium and climbing hydrangea.

This property frees the imagination to accept the unexpected, one of life's great lessons.

NOTE: Multi-leveled, narrow, gravel paths will challenge those with difficulty walking. Wheelchair accessible in front garden only.