You might think that after more than a half-century of presenting spring garden tours on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, members of the Palos Verdes Womans Club would run out of ideas.
But they never do.
In fact, they continually raise the bar by presenting fabulous gardens that come with perks such as incredible ocean viewsor share space with homes designed by famous architects such as Lloyd Wright.
The 55th annual self-guided tour is planned for may 14. Featuring five charming gardens, it will include a box lunch served at one of the sites. Two of the gardens are in rural Portuguese Bend, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. to visit these locations, guests will be asked to park in the free Abalone Cove Shoreline lot for transport by bus.
The Mediterranean gardens of architect Ed Beall and his wife, Susan, entirely surround a charming French farmhouse. Visitors will enter through rustic gates surrounded by lush olive and pepper trees and will pass under an ivy-covered iron trellis leading to the pool house. after picking up a box lunch in the garage, which will be turned into a French bistro, they can dine at any of the many garden patios or cozy nooks.
As guests stroll around, enjoying the plants, fountains and garden art, they will be serenaded by harp music. They wouldn’t want to miss the Gothic sculpture gardens, the gigantic seashell- and succulent-covered wreaths that adorn the patio doors, or the ocean view, French fountain and antique teeter-totter on the back lawn. this property is packed with charming vignettes and surprise gardens.
Also located in Portuguese Bend is the Jester home. Its garden was developed in 1949 and has been cared for by the original owners, who still live in the house, which architect Lloyd Wright designed for them.
Steps bordered by a duranta tree and a grewia lead to a rose garden with a view of the dramatic lines of the house. Guests will continue on to several patios with sweeping views of the Pacific, Abalone Cove, Catalina Island and the bell tower of Wayfarers Chapel. this walk might be difficult for some visitors, but a chairlift will be available. to return, guests can stroll back down the driveway or take stairways leading through the pepper tree-shaded secret garden.
The Wang garden, designed by its owner, features a vine-covered pergola entry leading to a rose-lined walkway bordering three koi ponds, each with its own waterfall. a pathway leads to a pool with palm trees, an infinity spa and a waterfall on the marble patio. Walkways lined with boxwood hedges lead to islands of plants and trees, an outdoor kitchen and a desert-theme garden. Visitors can view the garden from the second floor porch, accessible by steps next to the pergola.
At the Kalionzes home, which is surrounded by 50-year-old pine trees, landscaper Greg Abramowitz will greet visitors and answer questions about the lush Italianate garden and gazebo he created. Guests will have views of the Pacific and a unique driveway treatment with no fences separating adjoining properties or blocking views.
The Lang garden features an inviting entry patio with fireplace seating surrounded by kangaroo paw plants. this is the only Certified Green LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) home and garden on the Peninsula.
A blue jardiniere solar fountain and a waterfall, positioned above a sunken fire pit, can be viewed on the path to the upper patio steps and outdoor kitchen. the Jessica Centeno-designed garden incorporates the latest energy-saving elements.
Meredith Grenier is a freelance writer. She can be reached at meredithgrenier@yahoo.com.