A rich presentation of twenty-one private residential gardens designed to enhance well-being by inspiring and heightening our senses in ways all gardeners can achieve.

Connecting to nature has long been a balm, an awakening of simple sensual pleasures that ultimately lays to rest the neural chatter that undermines well-being. A well-planned and tended garden is our shortcut to nature—and to a renewed appreciation for small doses of compassion, amusement, and gratitude. 

This lush, intimate tour of twenty-five private residential gardens reveals a focus on appealing to one particular sense, resulting in an intensely personalized approach to relaxation and beauty. Paths and seating are woven through the vestiges of a citrus ranch whose orange and tangerine blossoms scent the prevailing California sea breezes; softly burbling fountains dot a landscape near trees chosen for foliage that rustles, such as poplars and willows; and a vegetable garden is organized so the children who live there can pick at will from Mediterranean-inspired herb knots, a varied fruit orchard, and raised beds full of leafy greens.  

Drawing on the talents of celebrated designers including Eric Nagelmann, Scott Shrader, Pamela Burton, and Marc Appleton, among others, this volume features hundreds of planting details to help home gardeners in every zone incorporate small moments of inspiration into their own yards.

About The Author

Melba Levick is a Los Angeles–based photographer with more than sixty books to her name, including The Spanish Style House: From Enchanted Andalusia to the California Dream. Ann Herold is the managing editor of Los Angeles Magazine and has written about gardens for the Los Angeles Times. She is based in Santa Barbara.