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Fire-Ravaged Gardens Reborn

March 24, 2017

From: Margie Grace

Previously damaged by fire, this estate's gardens were revived thanks to a smart landscaping plan. Stabilizing slopes and using succulents and other low-water plants brought lush new life to the grounds.

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Wildflower Meadow on Slope

Photo: Margie Grace. From: Margie Grace

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Wildflower Meadow

This colorful mix of native plants and flowers contributes to soil restoration on slopes ravaged by fires below the main residence.

View of Sloped Garden

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View of Sloped Garden and Walkway

The grounds of this Santa Barbara home were badly burned in the Tea Fire and needed to be redesigned. The new gardens incorporate outdoor living areas with walkways and colorful plants; the plan also reduced water usage and made the property's slopes more stable.

Shady Mediterranean Arbor

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Shady Mediterranean Arbor With Dining Table

Pots and furniture make this patio feel like a comfortable living room -- with 360 degrees of garden views!

Succulents in Pots

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Pots With Succulents

Succulents are a great choice for container gardens as they come in a wide range of colors and unusual sculptural shapes.

Slope and View of House

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View of House From Upper Slope

Colorful plants blend with green succulents for a garden that's both beautiful and environmentally friendly.

Entry With Column Topped With Urn

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Entry With Stone Column

In the landscape design of this Santa Barbara estate, the sandstone-hued color palette and the naturalistic style of the hardscape ties the gardens to their surrounding hillside environment.

Sloped Garden and Mountains

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Sloped Garden and Gravel Walkway

Meticulously landscaped slopes are filled with succulents and colorful blooms that spill over the retaining walls. The mountains are a majestic backdrop.

Wood Above-Ground Pool and Chairs

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Wood Pool and Lounge Chairs

For an estate that recently went through a catastrophic fire, this unique pool provides a refreshing dip on hot summer days and is also designed to be used for back-up fire suppression if the municipal water supply were to fail.

Veggie Beds and Sitting Area

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Metal Veggie Beds and Shady Sitting Area

Galvanized troughs add a touch of whimsy and personality to this veggie garden. They're also too tall for rabbits and have a gopher-thwarting bottom. Nearby, colorful flowering plants draw pollinators to increase garden productivity.

Container Garden With Pots

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Container Garden and Metal Chair

Large-scale pots with dramatic plantings provide color and structure throughout this home's outdoor areas as well being low-water. Here, they're seen on a patio outside the master bedroom.

House Exterior and Garden

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View of House and Garden

Native grasses and wildflowers were used throughout the landscape design of this home in Santa Barbara. The result is gardens that are low water, full of color and harmonious with their natural surroundings.

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