Tucked away in Los Angeles lies the Holstein House, a grand residence with a breathtaking secret: a stunning garden designed by landscape architect Dudley Trudgett. Trudgett was known for his unique approach to garden design, which involved creating a perception of depth and space in his gardens using water, foliage, and carefully chosen trees. The Holstein House embodies this approach, spanning from street to street and boasting a vast front courtyard and sprawling backyard. The garden is so vast that it takes some time to fully explore all of its intricacies, and its many walking paths add to the pleasure of exploring it. Strolling through the garden feels like a walking meditation, with the sound of birds singing and the peaceful noise of the fountain.
The garden’s Mediterranean design features Italian cypress trees and fountains that add to its depth, which is accentuated by the meandering paths. Another highlight of the garden is its use of water features, with the pool in the center of the garden serving as a focal point that provides a stunning visual backdrop while also serving as a functional space for swimming and relaxation. Towards the back of the garden, a fountain adds to the ambiance with the peaceful sound of water flowing and creates a tranquil atmosphere.
The garden is also home to a variety of flowering plants and shrubs, with old roses providing a beautiful contrast against the greenery, topiary hedges adding a sense of formality to the space, and ornamental pear trees and coral trees providing height and texture. Mature fruit trees of orange, grapefruit, and lemon add to the garden’s charm, and a short stroll away, the vegetable garden is home to eggplant, kale, tomatoes, every kind of lettuce, lima beans, rosemary, chives, scallions, zucchini, and squash.
The garden’s appeal is further enhanced by its historical significance and traditions. For over six decades, the Holstein House garden has been a beloved space for the Leisure family, who spent countless hours tending to its plants and enjoying its beauty. For the past 68 years, the owners of the Holstein House, Hoyt and Jackie Leisure, ate lunch outside in the garden almost every day. They were both gardeners, and they loved the garden as much as they loved each other. Sitting outside in the garden, surrounded by the beauty of nature, was a tradition that they cherished.
The Holstein House garden’s symmetry is among its most notable characteristics. The space was designed to match one side to the other, creating a sense of balance and harmony that is both calming and beautiful. The garden’s symmetry is particularly noticeable when walking through it, with the carefully chosen trees and plants mirroring each other on either side.
But what truly sets the Holstein House garden apart is its maturation. Since its creation in 1929, the garden has been lovingly tended to and cared for by the families who have lived there. Who have watched it grow and evolve over the course of almost a century. This maturation is evident in the garden’s lush foliage, with trees and plants that have been allowed to grow and fill in over time.
Creating a garden like the Holstein House garden is not an easy feat, particularly in today’s world where new homes are built quickly and often lack the character and depth that comes with time and attention. The garden’s almost hundred years of growth and maturation is a testament to the power of patience and dedication, and to the importance of taking the time to allow a space to truly come into its own.
Despite being located in the heart of a busy city, the garden provides a sense of seclusion and tranquility that is hard to find elsewhere. The dense foliage provides a sense of privacy, and the gentle sound of the water and the singing of birds help to drown out the noise of the city. It is a place to escape the hustle and bustle, a peaceful oasis in the middle of the urban jungle.
The Holstein House garden is a testament to the power of landscape design to create a truly magical space. Every element of the grounds is carefully crafted to create a sense of harmony and balance, inviting reflection, relaxation, and connection to the natural world. Whether you’re strolling through the vegetable garden, lounging by the pool, or simply sitting and taking in the beauty around you, the Holstein House garden is a space that enchants all who visit. For more information please contact info@theholsteinhouse.com.
