2015 Garden Dialogues: Los Angeles/Pacific Palisades, Amalfi, May 30
Saturday, May 30, 3:30 to 5:00pm | Pacific Palisades
Amalfi
Jay Griffith of Jay Griffith
This one-acre site at a 120-foot elevation overlooking Rustic Canyon has breathtaking, panoramic views. Though the California Monterrey colonial style house was built in 1933 for the silent film star Billie Dove, every aspect of the garden is new except for the Eucalyptus. A long interwoven hedge acts as a green plinth transforming the 150-wide house into a giant sculptural element. Giant raw steel planters created in homage to sculptor Richard Serra repeat this theme. The front garden is patterned after the Court of the Myrtles at the Alhambra in Seville, Spain, while the rear garden embraces the expansive view and is toned in aqueous colored succulent plantings that tie into the rectangular swimming pool. The muted color palette focuses attention on the contrasting plant textures and sculptural qualities, from arcing white Agaves, giant blue Fan Palms, and sinuous Eucalyptus. The south facing kitchen courtyard showcases indigenous California pottery materials and an extensive collection of Hollywood movie garden furniture memorabilia. Photos by Jorge Rafael