Arroyo Hillside

Our hillside garden project was inspired by a passion to have a drought tolerant garden, a desire to enhance our Pasadena Architecture Landmarked, 1961 midcentury modern home, and a need to resolve hillside water drainage issues. It features extensive terracing using recycled driveway concrete and a patio covered dry well that restores water from a storm catchment system to the local water aquifer. The garden was designed to incorporate existing 1920s garden features, including a restored Dimmick textured concrete stairs and a "monument" that once stood at the head of a pond. Granite Arroyo cobbles and boulders were incorporated to pay homage to Pasadena's Arroyo Seco, just blocks to the west. The plantings feature a palette of Australian, Mexican, and South African plants, all perfectly suited to our Southern California climate. Large trees include Parkinsonia aculeata (Jerusalem thorn) which are stunning in the spring with yellow flowers. These are accented by Feijoa sellowiana, prized for their multiple trunks, red flowers, and edible fruits. Mid-slope, towering majestic columnar, Euphorbia ammmak 'Variegata', serves as a backdrop. The understory palette consists of Agave americana, agave 'Blue Flame', and titonatas. Australian native grasses (Lomandra and Dianella), and ground covers (Portulucaria, Senecio, and Dymondia) help to retain the slope.

Open Days 2023: Sunday, April 23
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.