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Glowing reviews are pouring in for TCLF’s 2015 Season of Garden Dialogues which launched in March and will explore gardens in thirteen metropolitan areas by the end of September.  The latest weekend of tours held May 30-31 attracted the largest number of attendees in the history of the program to eight properties in the Los Angeles area and three in Atlanta. Attendees were enthusiastic in their praise, among the testimonials:

“Well organized and informative. Owners of both properties were very proud of their gardens and working relationship with the designers.”

“To be in the space and walk it with the designer, to discuss it, to see the iterations of the plans, and to understand the regulatory climate was just amazing!”

“The gardens were spectacular and well worth the trip.”

“The Holy Family Chapel was amazing—looking forward to future adventures!”

“The hosts were fascinating and extraordinarily knowledgeable speakers and the group (coming from so many perspectives) supplied excellent questions.”

Amalfi, with Jay Griffith, photo by Noel Vernon

On Saturday, May 30 in Los Angeles, visitors were captivated by landscape architect Pamela Burton’s design for the Mission Holy Family Chapel. Her challenging scheme for the steep site used native plants to frame sweeping views. The second destination, Butterfly House, owned by a leading authority on garden design, featured an exuberant horticultural display and lemonade made from lemons from the home’s lush citrus grove. At Pacific Palisades Residence, landscape architect Isabelle Greene shared how to care for native fruit trees and emphasized the time it takes for a garden to mature. Other highlights included two designs by Jay Griffith, Hightree, and Amalfi, where special appearances by Griffith’s miniature horse and goat added to the delight of his guests. As one attendee of Griffith’s Amalfi Dialogue said, “One suspects that this Dialogue ended with two questions, unspoken but shared by many participants: ‘Please, Jay, can we stay on for dinner?’ and ‘So when can we move in?’”

Alexander-Pound House, photo courtesy Tunnell + Tunnell Landscape Architecture

In Atlanta, landscape architects Spencer Tunnell, Matt Sussman, and Will McDonald provided insight into the restoration of the historic Goodrum House & Garden and Alexander-Pound House. At Rivermeade Residence, landscape architect Bill Caldwell led guests through each of the home’s seven enchanting garden rooms.

Coldwater Canyon Residence, photo courtesy Steven Keylon

Sunday included three more tours in the Los Angeles area, Coldwater Canyon Residence, the former home of singer and songwriter Peggy Lee, where guests enjoyed ample time to explore the modern garden designed by Mark Tessier, and its spectacular views; Saint Cloud Residence, where SWA Group’s John Wong gave visitors insight into the classical detailing of the home’s formal gardens and the firm’s efforts to make the landscape family friendly for its new owners; and Hollywood Hillside Residence, where landscape architect Judy Kameon’s lush plantings gave guests something to dream about having in their own backyards.

More Garden Dialogues are scheduled through September in Pennsylvania, New York, Washington, DC, Connecticut, Boston, Denver/Aspen, Chicago, and Northern California. Tickets are limited, so make reservations today.