About the Project

Founded in 1948, PSHA is a non-profit California corporation that established the Pasadena Showcase House of Design as their annual benefit in 1965. It is one of the oldest, largest, and most successful house-and-garden tours in the nation.

For the 2001 Showcase, Laura Morton worked with fellow landscape designer Kolleen White to create a large pond that reflected sky, water lilies, and five large sculptures of colorful dragonflies, hovering at different heights above the water. Nearby, specially designed wrought-iron supports in the form of insects added drama and whimsy to the espaliered lemons and fig.

Hidden relationships of shapes, color, and childlike wonder caused many people to look beyond the obvious and linger in the shaded seating areas. This garden was a highlight of the event, which had more than 50,000 visitors that year.