Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Rose Society of Saddleback Mountain~ Sneak Peak of The 2015 Elegant and Enchanting Garden Tour~ Part III


"You can't really have a relationship with God unless you have your hands in the garden."

~ Georgia S. 

The garden is like Georgia, effervescent
Meet Georgia. Once a chef in one of the most celebrated restaurants in the world, it is the San Clemente garden she shares with her husband and two daughters which gives her the most joy. 
Before- a yard
Once a resident of Chicago, while she does not miss the frigid winters, her landscaping aesthetic was honed wandering about dazzling displays at the Chicago Botanic Garden.  When she and her husband, Allan, looked for a home on the southern coastal tip of Orange County- they wanted a home with a decent-sized yard.   When it came time to make the garden their own, her husband said

"Do it right. I don't want you to ever look back with regrets."  

Rhythm and texture  
Down went the block wall, out went the grass. In came the creativity of someone used to creating recipes where the sum is more than the individual parts. 

After- a garden
The look is lush- but the environmental footprint is light.  Georgia believes  "You can't waste water when watering by hand because you have to be honest with yourself about how much is used." 



The lounge chairs were sourced off the Internet. That they were made from wood reclaimed from waters where timber operations once floated lumber to market: a lesson in miracles made real from unlikely sources. 


 A lesson in gratitude courtesy of feathered friends: Birds don't need fancy houses. Use what you have  on-hand.



 A pond features two small waterfalls at each end. Using solar power and managing the hours it runs in daylight to when they are outside reaps the most enjoyment at the lowest cost.    

Roses are selected so even a lazy-man can have
"Pretty is very important." Smart is equally so. The homeowners' obsessive attention to detail makes this garden both. For example- the low retaining wall is more conducive to efficient use of water than slopes.  It also creates a visually cohesive match to the elevation rise required for the waterfall at the garden's edge. 


Locally- Georgia recommends the Lake Forest/ El Toro Green Thumb Nursery  as having the best selection in pond supplies. 

Home-schooling Clarissa and Audrey, Georgia uses the garden to enhance lesson plans and draw the family together. This is a family garden. One where on Sunday pizza is made on the barbecue.


Mandevilla trained beneath barbecue island  



Meet Clarissa. A Renaissance-woman in training. At 4 minutes into the video you'll see the sisters bonding over pizza. 


Little sis' is pretty good with designing fairy garden and cooking. Check out her food blog here

There is more to this garden- but you MUST simply come to the Open Garden Tour to experience what a treasure this family has created. 

Until we meet again- Thank YOU for all YOU do to make the world more beautiful.

This family garden is just one of five gardens The Rose Society of Saddleback Mountain is featuring in support of Plant Biology Science and Horticultural Scholarships at local universities and colleges. 
Date: Saturday, May 09, 2015
Time: 10 AM until 4 PM

To order Tickets for the self-guided tour, or for more information, please click here, or phone (949) 837- 2141. 


9 comments:

  1. Oh My! Lydia I enjoyed that so much! What accomplished girls! I especially was impressed at Clarissa's talent both with piano and of course my love, ballet! She is really good!! She has the body for modeling too.

    Now who took this video? Was it already made and she allowed you to post it? Loved it!!

    They did wonders with that property! Beautiful!

    XO Trisha

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  2. That was quite interesting. Mom from a chef to home schooler. Daughter with her cooking interest. Her blog is fun! xo

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  3. Good morning, Trisha. There are three very talented and multi-disciplined women in residence. Mom shared the link to one daughter's You tube account and the other's blog.

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  4. Lydia,

    I went back and checked out Audrey's cooking blog. I am so impressed and it answers the question for me as to why she was making the dinner pizza. SUCH talent in that family! A classical harpist too!! It looks as tho she is taking after her mom! So impressed at the places where mom worked as a chef! Makes me wonder where mom got her training.

    Great blog Lydia!

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  5. Such an achievement. This garden must be experienced to fully appreciate the haven it is in crazy busy times. What a treat and a privilege to spend time here. And a double blessing to be related to these amazing people. Looking forward to coming back next year - meanwhile enjoy the visitors. Lots of love from Australia xxoo

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  6. Such a haven in such crazy busy times - must be experienced to fully appreciate the work Georgia has put onto it. Double blessed to be related to these fine people. Looking forward to coming back (only 13 months to go!) - meanwhile enjoy the visitors. Big love from Oz. xoxo

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  7. Beautiful garden, in every way.....You can see the love that went into this and it is wonderful, wonderful, Wonderful!

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  8. A beautiful garden lovingly designed. It was quite a treat.

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  9. Lovely garden and lovely family! Thank you for sharing. Like Georgia I home schooled my daughter Wisdom and used the garden as a learning tool. Well her husband said "do it right" and she did. The daughters are fun and full of life. Love Clarissa May and will share her Youtube with my daughter.You my Dear Lydia are Such a delight. Happy Spring!

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