About the Project

The Garden Benefit Tour, sponsored by Friends of Virginia Robinson Gardens, has been hailed by the press as “the most glamorous of its kind in Southern California.” The annual event offers a view of privately owned distinguished gardens presented by their owners and landscape architects. And the crown jewel on the Tour is the Robinson Gardens & Estate itself.

The theme for the 2008 garden tour was Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. My goal in this garden design was to transform the kitchen terrace into a lushly planted porch with an exotic outdoor bed fit for a queen—of hearts!

With a rich range of reds—from burnished terracotta and peach, to valentine-red and plum—the effect of the design is warm and dazzling without overpowering the classic architecture of the home. The low Moorish tiled table shaded with palms is a perfect spot to have afternoon tea. The richly upholstered bed begs to be lounged upon. Master gardener and rosarian Linda McKendry found exceptional red roses, espaliered a plum-toned champagne grapevine, and brought in rare lilies and jasmine, creating a fragrant opulence.

The unique sculptures by renowned California artist Pascal Giacomini provide an elegant touch. A bejeweled portrait of the Queen herself, painted by the designer, completes the boudoir ambiance of this artful display garden.