Located in the Holmby Hills Estates in Los Angeles, California, the Morsey Estate received a first place award in Custom Residential Installation from the 1999 California Landscape Contractors Association. Situated on almost two rolling acres, the home was designed by Wm. Kaufman in the classic style of French Normandy.

Originally built in the 1940's, the residence was constructed by Jack Huber and has had only two homeowners throughout its history. The current owners have completed a major remodeling of the home by expanding the original dining room and adding a large den and conversation room. Their most recent project included the revamping of the existing garden.

The award was presented to Toddco Landscape Co., Inc. in Venice, California, for their design and contracting work on the garden. The project required the design development of approximately 4,000 square feet. Their previous work on the site included the construction of a Koi pond, a perennial garden and citrus garden, along with annual replanting and clean up.

Prior to the revamping, a portion of the existing yard was separate from the main yard. This smaller area was relegated to seasonal replanting and limited access. The area had never been seen by anyone except the gardener and the homeowner. One of the goals of the new design was to connect the two areas and make the garden more inviting for guests. To accomplish this task, the contractors installed a double set of staircases that lead to a large landing. The landing presents visitors with a preview of the formal knot garden which is situated along geometric flower beds. The large flower beds have been designed for annual planting and perennials such as foxglove and delphiniums.

The new design has accentuated several focal points within the site in addition to theimpressive knot garden. The other focal points include the bronze armillary sundial seen along the axis of the flagstone path, and the garden gazebo as seen from the upper garden. For Toddco Landscape Co., the main tasks of the project consisted of the demolition and construction of the retaining walls and steps; the layout of the annual beds; and the construction of a truly unique gazebo.

One of the most unique features of the Morsey garden is the bronze armillary sundial. The ornament is situated within a circular planter. The plant material surrounding the sundial is replanted every few months. The only plantings used are those that have white flowers or foliage. Presently, white kale is planted around the sundial.

The lower portion of the existing garden had always been hidden by a line of mature Camellias that sat atop an old weathered retaining wall. Made up of poured in place concrete rectangles the size of a shoebox, the wall allowed very limited access to the Camellias plantings. During the demolition, contractors discovered that the existing 4-foot wall was built without concrete inside the cells of the wall. Once the walls were demolished, the debris was removed by placing a dump truck behind a newly created hole within the front yard hedge.

At the onset of the project, the Contractors carefully saved the existing concrete block. The new retaining walls were constructed with an eight-inch block veneered to the existing concrete block. The team was able to match the aesthetics of the newly built portion of the wall with the existing section. To complete the look of the wall, the surrounding pathways were surfaced with Arizona flagstone.

The main difficulty for the Contractors during this process was securing enough access to the area. In order to gain proper access, the Contractors had to drive a Bobcat over a neighbor's Ivy slope and through a citrus grove. Fortunately, the neighbors were very cooperative in providing the necessary access for the construction team.

Annual Beds and Plant Material

One of the main features of the new garden is the large variety of annual plantings. Along the trail of the new retaining wall, and throughout both sections of the garden, there are an assortment of plants such as Ginger, Cannas, and Star Jasmine.

To focus attention towards the variety of plantings, contractors installed four large flowerbeds outlined with Japanese boxwood and Italian Cypress. The boxwood hedge wraps around the knot garden and eccentuates the Arizona flagstone pathways. Although the existing soil was in great condition and required minimum soils amendments, the contractors added nitrolized redwood shavings and gro-power at fertilizer.

The flowerbeds are changed four times throughout the year. During the winter months, they are filled with 130 flats of Iceland poppies and giant Cinneraria. When spring approaches, the Contractors use Foxglove and Delphinium to fill-in the beds. During early summer, Petunias are planted, and at mid-summer, State Fair Zonnias are used. Under the boxwood, Blue lobelia is often used as a border along some points of the pathway. The bronze armillary sundial is situated in a circular planter and is replanted every few months with plants that have white flowers or foliage. Presently, white kale is planted around the sundial. Behind the sundial there is a swath of dwarf purple bougainvillea with Artemisia and Powis Castle in the background.

The gazebo that is featured on the property has been personalized for the owner of the home. The columns were built from square concrete block and finished to blend into the walls of the garden. Originally, the Contractors planned to have a concrete sphere placed on top of the columns. Instead, each column was topped with a concrete formation in the shape of a pineapple to highlight the homeowners affection for Hawaii.

At another portion of the garden, there is a slope along the eastern border which wraps around the lower side of the area. The contractors planted Jacaranda trees with four Cassia leptophylla, to provide summer flowers that are rich in a brilliant yellow color. Nestled in a bright corner of the upper garden is a Brugmansia (Angels trumpet) shrub that adds interest and sparks conversation when in bloom.

The Contractors also incorporated fragrance as well as color into the garden. Placed on the south walls is Star Jasmine and tucked away in corners of the garden is Osmanthus fragrans and Night blooming Jasmine. Through the use of fragrance and the large variety of plantings, the Contractors have successfully created a garden that provides continuous color throughout the year.

Gazebo Construction

The new look of the garden was completed with the addition of a uniquely designed gazebo. The columns were built from square concrete block and finished to blend in with the retaining walls of the garden. The original design of a concrete sphere atop the columns was replaced with a new idea. In order to give the gazebo a different look, each column was topped with a concrete formation in the shape of a pineapple to highlight the homeowner's affection for Hawaii. Personalizing the gazebo not only adds to the charm of the area, but it also makes the client feel more connected to the outcome of the design.

The gazebo and the rest of the garden are visually appealing as well as functional. The area is currently used for everything from entertaining guests to quiet moments of solitude. The award winning garden reflects the beauty, elegance, and serenity of a true California landscape. LCM