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Although I’m a lifetime gardener of more than 30 years, I’m still learning to blend ornamental with environmental horticulture. When I grew up in California, there was never any thought of water shortage or environmental pollution. We were experiencing the Golden Age of Better Living Through Chemistry. Then, in her book Silent Spring, Rachel Carson first alerted the American public that something was going wrong in the new chemical utopia. More than thirty years later, most thoughtful Americans are finally aware of the need to save what is left of the natural world.
By making changes in our daily habits, we can positively impact the future environment. One place to start is in the garden. The more time we spend in the garden, the less time will be spent on the freeways creating mental and physical pollution. The more food we grow at home, the less dependent we are on agribusiness, a major source of environmental stress. The fewer resources we waste, the more there will be for our futures.
I suggest that our goal in home garden design is no longer “Kill everything that preceded me in order to realize my most elaborate fantasies,” but rather “Create a garden that expresses my respect for the natural order of things,” producing a garden that is both regional and environmental. This garden is based on California’s climate, history, colors and shapes. It blends native and Mediterranean plants within the context of the home’s specific architecture and site.
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