Karen Morgan Newe

The highlight of the garden is the view of the ocean.

The yard is often described as "Zen" and it is truly quite calm. Much of the current design of the yard existed when I moved in 10 years ago but the yard had been neglected for some time. The front garden is Japanese style with bonsai-shaped Japanese black-pines, junipers, Japanese maples, heavenly bamboo, and wisteria. A beautiful wood gate leads to a lovely courtyard with sagos, staghorn ferns, potted Japanese maples, and a hollowed rock water-fountain. The highlight of the garden is the view of the ocean. There is a rolling green lawn that mimics the nearby hills. Succulents are a favorite, and many varieties border the grass. There is also small raised vegetable bed. The deck creates a comfortable place to read or enjoy a meal. There is a backyard courtyard with a fountain and this forms the view from the master bedroom. Both courtyards are consistent with the Japanese garden-style of bringing the garden inside. My single side yard has ti-plants, potted palms, giant bird of paradise, white ginger, bromeliads, and a wood tiki. The banana tree produced for the first time this year, 50 bananas!