Is it possible to create a sexy, beautiful garden that is waterwise and earth friendly, but also has loads of edibles and ornamental plants too? Absolutely. In fact, we tell you how to do just that very thing on this Nest In Style episode.
Our special guest is the charming and funny Ivette Soler, a well-known landscape designer in Los Angeles. Don’t miss her interview with Teresa as she describes how she transformed her front yard into a botanical oasis that uses less water and chemicals. You’ll love why she believes Americans should rethink their front yards. Plus, Jayme and Teresa discuss their new love affair with eggplants and share their favorites.
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Nest In Style Guest
Ivette Soler is a well-known landscape designer and garden writer based in Los Angeles. The author of an upcoming Timber Press book on incredible, edible front yard gardens (Title TBD; Spring 2011), Ivette’s stunning landscape designs and articles have been featured in Sunset, Cottage Living, Metropolitan Home, Garden Design, The LA Weekly, Domino, among others.
A self-proclaimed “plant fiend,” Ivette is also known as “The Germinatrix” on Twitter and her blog www.TheGerminatrix.com, where she charms gardeners of all levels with her plant knowledge and humor.
Ivette’s Fabulous Front Yard
The garden photo (above left) is Ivette’s front yard. The first month after she and her husband moved into the house 15 years ago, she ripped out her lawn and it has been a lush, drought tolerant oasis ever since!
Above right is a detailed photo from Ivette’s raised edible planters in what she calls her “hellstrip.” What was once a long band of weedy sod in the front of the house is now three large raised beds full of tomatoes, herbs and corn. In the foreground is a small Aeonium ‘Zwartkopf’. Spilling from the beds are an unnamed tomato seedling (passed along by a friend), golden oregano, Ipomea batatas ‘Ace of Spades’, chamomile flowers, and the stems of ruby chard.
In this Austin garden (pictured above), corten steel is used as a small retaining feature. Rosemary, thyme, sages, opuntia cactus and a sotol shrub create a tough, monochromatic moment. Note how the hardscape allows precious rainwater to percolate through the pebbles and stone to satisfy the occasional thirst of this beautiful garden.
Eggplants are Sexy, because Ivette Says So!
From left: Jayme’s eggplant ‘Fairy Tale’, Teresa’s eggplant collection (from left to right) ‘Calliope,’ ‘Rosa Bianca,’ ‘Little Fingers’ and ‘Fairy Tale.’
Resources:
- Ivette’s San Francisco Flower & Garden Show interview about texture in the garden (NIS episode)
- Find the lawn alternative Ivette mentions (EcoLawn) at aHa! Modern Living
- Lawn Reform Coalition has drought-tolerant plant ideas and design suggestions for removing lawns
- Eggplant salad toast recipe from Smitten Kitchens
- Eggplant growing advice from Ohio State University Extension
What’s coming: Stay tuned for more special giveaways and expert interviews on fall/winter gardening, holiday entertaining and decorating ideas. Meanwhile, don’t forget that you can still grow many vegetables, fruits and herbs in the fall too. So don’t put away your gardening equipment yet and … go grow something!
