Gardens of Love, Hope and Honor

For some, a garden can bring peace, joy and happiness.  For others, a garden can serve as a living memory, a place of comfort and solace.  From flowers, to palms, plants, ponds, shade trees and more, whatever the reason, Santa Claritans love the outdoors.
Our La Maison went outdoors and feature nine of the Santa Clarita gardens that were part of the recent Memorial Garden Tour.  Thank you to the residents who graciously opened their doors for the community to enjoy.
For more information, visit www.memorialgardentour.com.

The mission of the Community Gardens of Santa Clarita is to create a facility where individuals can come together to promote the benefits of locally grown, organic food that is environmentally friendly, sustainable and cost effective, delivering economic health and educational benefits to the children.  You will see fruit trees, rose bushes, California native plants, California poppy and new this year is a butterfly garden.

Come relax and enjoy Jeff and Denise Jen’s “Passion in Progress” garden.  After Jeff built the koi pond in the center of their home seven years ago, a passion for gardening was sparked between the couple.  Through trial and error and water conservation being a factor, Jeff and Denise endeavored to create a drought-tolerant environment by incorporating plants and succulents from Mediterranean and desert climates.  “We’ve used renewed and recycled materials to create a park like setting, and recently added a greenhouse.”

Living in a condo might have limited the Condon’s gardening space, but the two have created every possible way to create gardening opportunities, using pots, going vertical, planting layers for different seasons.  Three years ago, the Condons planted some herbs in the common ground behind their condo and now there’s a brick planter as well as the expanded common ground garden.  “We also have tiny atrium in which we are starting to espalier some Sasanqua camellias, growing along with a clematis vine, a mandavilla vine and a stephanotis vine.”

Colleen and Clyde Shaffer – Newhall

“Making a Garden out of Life” is written on Colleen’s dining room wall.  Given only six months to live from metastatic breast cancer some 12 years ago, Colleen gathers her dreams from her garden of possibilities.  Nature reminds us that even in the dead of winter, hope is there.  Spring unleashes new growth, promise over struggles and reawakening of beauty.  It’s never the same landscape each year, but the plants’ adversity flourishes showcasing her love of colorful flowers she uses for bouquets.

It all started with a modest size yard with a steep hill covered with ivy and shrub.  The garden began with a few tomato plants, some squash and miscellaneous vegetables.  With success, they created a vision to utilize the steep hillside, and after much research, the Stewarts joined the L.A. chapter of California Rare Fruit growers.  “We have found varieties such as Guavas from Hawaii, Mexico and Malaysia, Pulots, Apricots, Plum, Peach, Nectarine, Nectaplum and Asian Pear to name a few!  We have also made over 300 jars of fresh, low sugar jam last year!”

Marcia Holtz – Valencia

After joining the Santa Clarita Gardening Club in 2010, Marcia was inspired by other members’ gardens and decided to grow her own vegetables in raised beds.  Inheriting her mother-in-law’s unused composter and adding scraps, turning and watering her compost, Marcia had the most beautiful, dark, rich humus soil.  “Anyone who gardens knows the connection you have with nature and earth.”

David and Laima Zbojniewicz – Valencia

The Zbojniewicz’ garden design and style begins with an appreciation for a natural, free-flowing carefree look.  The landscape features roses, lilacs, abutilons, hydrangeas, heliotrope, grasses, and citrus trees.  Swan Hill olive trees and Deodar Pine Trees in the front create an intimate and private surrounding.  “I discovered that my love for gardening was drawn from my passion for art and design,” states Laima. 

Michael and Nina Mays – Santa Clarita

A genuine Balinese pavilion, a hand carved Balinese water feature, blue ocean stones from the Balinese sea, black stones from Surabaya, Indonesia and two volcanic garden lanterns from Bali add to the unique garden of Michael and Nina Mays.  Other features include a triple column basalt fountain and Corinthian bells wind chimes amongst giant birds of paradise, nandina, podocarpus, cast iron plants and six queen palms to name a few.

Bob and Diane Benjamin – Canyon Country

The Benjamin garden, now ten years old, consists of perennial beds chock full of perennials including alstroemeria, foxgloves, delphinium, sages, penstamen, Shasta daisies, dusty miller, gaillardia, statice and columbines.  “There are naughty annuals that reseed anywhere they like, but I find that I like the surprise combinations that it creates,” states Diane.  The Benjamin garden is perfect for taking a stroll or relaxing on the rocker on the porch of the garden house.