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A weekend in Peggy Blake's Home and Garden.... June 18, 2005 Upland, California Garden Installation Date 1992 View of the back garden, private and shady. Photography--Michael A. Rodriguez |
 It is
a beautiful Saturday morning at the Peggy Blake residence in Upland, California; a place
I have visited for 14 years now. Her garden was one of the first gardens I designed and
planned after moving to Los Angeles from the South. I had taken classes on California
native plants and worked with a large Landscape Architectural firm for a few years before
deciding my calling was residential design. Living in Los Angeles, the challenge of
landscaping a tract house was indeed something I could not avoid (even if I wanted to).
Luckily my first clients (including Peggy) were from the East coast and their aesthetics
were much the same as mine. The key was how to have a lush garden without using such
water-thirsty plants. She wanted a beautiful garden.... and that is what she has.
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 She purchased the house which had been landscaped by the developer. The front yard was all grass with
one fast growing tree in the middle. Having studied the native flora and fauna at the Rancho Santa Ana
Botanic Garden, I was ahead of the water-wise garden game. We removed the grass first thing. Seventy-percent
of the water we use in Los Angeles is to water our gardens----70%!! There are so many other "pretty" things
to see in place of grass. Sure grass has it's place, but it is so water thirsty and requires weekly
attention. If you learn one thing from Indah Bulan, I hope it is water conservation.
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 Indah
Bulan continues to work in and on her garden on a yearly basis, to ensure proper pruning (if needed);
and makes changes that help Peggy, as her needs change. Her garden is a perfect example of our work, because
it takes advantage of shade in the summer, and openness in the winter (to allow the sun to warm her house and
garden) It attracts wildlife (which helps keep insects in check), and it has saved her (and Los Angeles) thousands of gallons
of water each year. Her garden is also set up for entertaining, which she loves to do---whether it is for a few friends or
large gatherings, her garden is designed to accommodate and enhance these events. She frequently serves
cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the front garden, dinner under the arbor, and dessert around the fire pit.
The garden also gives her complete privacy…one would never know she is living so closely to her neighbors;
a result of the way we have designed the perimeter. It is a garden which gives me such pride, simply because
she is now an avid gardener and uses her garden as a place to renew her spirit. This is the greatest reward
for me as a landscape architect and a friend.
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 As we
sit here in her beautiful shady garden, here is what she has to say about it. We have also found some before
photos which are amazing, providing a stark comparison to the lush haven we have created. And when we say we,
that includes Peggy----she has been an active participant in the design process from the get go. It is truly
HER garden and all are welcome to enjoy it.
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 1994
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 2005
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Q: What have you enjoyed most about your garden?
A: That it's a lot like... it has paralleled my personal growth, sometimes when we start something or decide to make a change it's not evident of the impact of the change until several years have past. On a lighter note, what I enjoy most about it.... I have enjoyed watching it mature and change. About my back yard.. I enjoyed that it went from a full sun, hotter than hell yard to being this serene cool shady refuge---and yet in the winter time when the leaves are off the trees it allows so much light to come into the house... so it's perfect in every season. That shows the planning that went in to it... it is very practical and environmentally sound. I like the fact that even though these houses (in my neighborhood) are right on top of each other, it feels like people are a million miles away. Lots of privacy. About the front garden... that I never would have ever used it as a lawn. It would have soaked up and drank up lots of water and just be a pass by... it's now an extension of my living space. People always think about the back yard being an extension of their house but it has been wonderful having BOTH! Particularly in the winter…the leaves are off the trees on the street and I can sit in the front garden and see Mt. Baldy with snow on it. The other thing that I love about my front garden is that every few weeks year round there is something new happening. In November, the paper-whites come up. Winter I have the view of the snow, beautiful warm morning sun, it's a great place to meander around with my coffee. When the spring comes I have (one dies out the other comes up) hyacinth and, freesia—(a month of freesia) popping up everywhere! Then the daffodils come up, then the iris bloom, acanthus, and gladiolus. Just before summer the jasmine blooms for the entire month of May ... orchids blooming.. and on and on... these is always something going on! I love that.
Q: What do you think about having so many different spaces you can use to entertain?
A: I love it. On a pretty day or evening, it triples my entertaining space... so even though my house is small, the way that the garden was designed in the back it allows me to have a dinner for 20 people... or more, I can probably seat 25-30 people. The other thing, too, it's been designed in such a way, I have the ability to draw people into a more intimate space.. so it can be what ever i need it to be.
Q: I love that you told me that it is your garden that has kept you here in this house... You were only going to be here a few years... how long do you think you'll be here now?
A: Twelve years later... now, Forever. I just ... yeah, It's become such a part of me... I know I used the word refuge before, but oh my gosh.. it's just a great place. I love it!
Q: Describe your Garden
A: It's hard to answer.. because I just tell people that I love my garden and that it is beautiful... because until someone experiences it, they would think I would be boastful. It's also not everybody's taste.. some people have a hard time looking past what everyone else is doing and making their space unique. I've said.. if I see another palm tree again, I'm gonna die! A tree in the middle of a square patch of grass. Shaped hedges.... (she pleasantly laughs).
Q: What is your favorite feature
A: The variety.
Q: What has your garden taught you?
A: Patience..... absolutely that is the first thing, patience.. and I think an appreciation of letting things be what they are.. and letting them do what they do. I remember in other houses, planting things in rows, and getting frustrated because the flowers didn't grow at the same rate or have one die... and having you create a landscape plan for me, I learned that if planned properly.. something still may die, but it doesn't have to look awkward, if a single plant doesn't make it... something else can be plugged in and look great. So the garden has had a theme and a structure, but it has not been rigid or confining. ...The five senses pleasure of my garden .. .. I have things to smell, it attracts birds for me to listen to... it's visually appealing, I grow fruit that I eat, and there are just so many different textures... like this stuff (she is pointing to some horse tails in a planting pot).. they are cool. All the beautiful cuttings I get to use for flower arrangements... ok.. (she joyfully laughs again)
Q: How has working with Indah Bulan helped/inspired you?
A: I'm going to have to think about this one--because I can go on for hours...... I think if I have to put it into one sentence... learning to listen to your ideas, and collaborate on them has allowed me to learn volumes... not just about gardening... about being less rigid... it's just given me a tremendous amount of freedom..
Q: What is your favorite season?
A: I love all of them... but, the Spring time, it just makes my heart soar .. watching everything renew itself after the long hot summer, and the dormant season of the winter.
Q: What is your favorite plant?
A: I'd have to name one from every category... what I have loved more than anything else.. are the Crape Myrtles... the backbone of the whole design.... the ambience is a better word.
Q: What is your favorite use of your garden?
A; Just relaxing.... with a few people.. one or two other people.. that are really close to me.
Q: What were your expectations of the garden when we designed/planned it over ten years ago?
A: a long time ago.... um... I think my expectations where just the superficial.. the decorative nature.. how it looked... like a new sofa or new drapes... just decoration. But I have to say... when I let go of that.. and enjoyed it for what it was at the time, and as it continues to change, I've just gotten countless joy, it's probably not the word... it's been a great joy and a it has become a part of me.. more so than my house. My house is filled with things that I love, things that are beautiful to me, but it doesn't compare to what I get from my garden.
Q: Have your expectations been met?
A: Exceeded.
Q: Why would you recommend Indah Bulan to other home owners?
A: Of all the things that I've said... my garden has helped me to pull my life into balance. That is what you guys are all about... spiritually infused design... it's much deeper.. much deeper.
A: That it's a lot like... it has paralleled my personal growth, sometimes when we start something or decide to make a change it's not evident of the impact of the change until several years have past. On a lighter note, what I enjoy most about it.... I have enjoyed watching it mature and change. About my back yard.. I enjoyed that it went from a full sun, hotter than hell yard to being this serene cool shady refuge---and yet in the winter time when the leaves are off the trees it allows so much light to come into the house... so it's perfect in every season. That shows the planning that went in to it... it is very practical and environmentally sound. I like the fact that even though these houses (in my neighborhood) are right on top of each other, it feels like people are a million miles away. Lots of privacy. About the front garden... that I never would have ever used it as a lawn. It would have soaked up and drank up lots of water and just be a pass by... it's now an extension of my living space. People always think about the back yard being an extension of their house but it has been wonderful having BOTH! Particularly in the winter…the leaves are off the trees on the street and I can sit in the front garden and see Mt. Baldy with snow on it. The other thing that I love about my front garden is that every few weeks year round there is something new happening. In November, the paper-whites come up. Winter I have the view of the snow, beautiful warm morning sun, it's a great place to meander around with my coffee. When the spring comes I have (one dies out the other comes up) hyacinth and, freesia—(a month of freesia) popping up everywhere! Then the daffodils come up, then the iris bloom, acanthus, and gladiolus. Just before summer the jasmine blooms for the entire month of May ... orchids blooming.. and on and on... these is always something going on! I love that.
 1992, Back yard no shade or privacy
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 2005, Back garden with shade and privacy
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 Winter view of Mt. Baldy
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 Spring Glads!
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 The garden is full of visual interest and surprises!
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The center of the garden
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Q: What do you think about having so many different spaces you can use to entertain?
A: I love it. On a pretty day or evening, it triples my entertaining space... so even though my house is small, the way that the garden was designed in the back it allows me to have a dinner for 20 people... or more, I can probably seat 25-30 people. The other thing, too, it's been designed in such a way, I have the ability to draw people into a more intimate space.. so it can be what ever i need it to be.
Q: I love that you told me that it is your garden that has kept you here in this house... You were only going to be here a few years... how long do you think you'll be here now?
A: Twelve years later... now, Forever. I just ... yeah, It's become such a part of me... I know I used the word refuge before, but oh my gosh.. it's just a great place. I love it!
Q: Describe your Garden
A: It's hard to answer.. because I just tell people that I love my garden and that it is beautiful... because until someone experiences it, they would think I would be boastful. It's also not everybody's taste.. some people have a hard time looking past what everyone else is doing and making their space unique. I've said.. if I see another palm tree again, I'm gonna die! A tree in the middle of a square patch of grass. Shaped hedges.... (she pleasantly laughs).
Q: What is your favorite feature
A: The variety.
Q: What has your garden taught you?
A: Patience..... absolutely that is the first thing, patience.. and I think an appreciation of letting things be what they are.. and letting them do what they do. I remember in other houses, planting things in rows, and getting frustrated because the flowers didn't grow at the same rate or have one die... and having you create a landscape plan for me, I learned that if planned properly.. something still may die, but it doesn't have to look awkward, if a single plant doesn't make it... something else can be plugged in and look great. So the garden has had a theme and a structure, but it has not been rigid or confining. ...The five senses pleasure of my garden .. .. I have things to smell, it attracts birds for me to listen to... it's visually appealing, I grow fruit that I eat, and there are just so many different textures... like this stuff (she is pointing to some horse tails in a planting pot).. they are cool. All the beautiful cuttings I get to use for flower arrangements... ok.. (she joyfully laughs again)
Q: How has working with Indah Bulan helped/inspired you?
A: I'm going to have to think about this one--because I can go on for hours...... I think if I have to put it into one sentence... learning to listen to your ideas, and collaborate on them has allowed me to learn volumes... not just about gardening... about being less rigid... it's just given me a tremendous amount of freedom..
Q: What is your favorite season?
A: I love all of them... but, the Spring time, it just makes my heart soar .. watching everything renew itself after the long hot summer, and the dormant season of the winter.
Q: What is your favorite plant?
A: I'd have to name one from every category... what I have loved more than anything else.. are the Crape Myrtles... the backbone of the whole design.... the ambience is a better word.
 Living Sculpture Crape Myrtles
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 We selected Multi-trunk varieties for even more visual interest.
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A; Just relaxing.... with a few people.. one or two other people.. that are really close to me.
Q: What were your expectations of the garden when we designed/planned it over ten years ago?
A: a long time ago.... um... I think my expectations where just the superficial.. the decorative nature.. how it looked... like a new sofa or new drapes... just decoration. But I have to say... when I let go of that.. and enjoyed it for what it was at the time, and as it continues to change, I've just gotten countless joy, it's probably not the word... it's been a great joy and a it has become a part of me.. more so than my house. My house is filled with things that I love, things that are beautiful to me, but it doesn't compare to what I get from my garden.
Q: Have your expectations been met?
A: Exceeded.
Q: Why would you recommend Indah Bulan to other home owners?
A: Of all the things that I've said... my garden has helped me to pull my life into balance. That is what you guys are all about... spiritually infused design... it's much deeper.. much deeper.
 a garden path...
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 Birds are welcome here!
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 sound and movement...
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 Color and Texture = Interest
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 yet another path...
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 Beautiful Spring Salvia
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 Depth--where does the garden end?
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 What do YOU see?
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 Sit and enjoy the garden!
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 Bumble Bee lights illuminate
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 Indah Bulan visits
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 Living Sculpture day and night!
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 Napoleon's Hat
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 What Color!!!
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 Succulents accent the garden
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 Stylish Chandelier!
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 Indah Bulan graces Peggy's garden
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 Arbor--home of dinner alfresco
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 Indah (beautiful) Art
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 Horse Tail bamboo (in sealed pot)
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 Peggy Blake and Stephen
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 Nugget enjoys a drink
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 Arbor view
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 Fire Pit---home of many a good time!
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 Cocktail time!
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 Water Feature in old Copper Pot
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 Antique Column makes a great accent!
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 Hot sun trickles instead of burns!
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 Depth via proper planting
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 Glorious Heavenly Bamboo!
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 Privacy achieved!
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 Bumble Bee lights
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 Contrast!
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| Web Design and Maintenance by Stephen T. Swafford, Photography Courtesy Michael A. Rodriguez--both of Indah Bulan |
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