Tam Pham

This Mediterranean house sits on a ¾ acre of land. The house and the surrounding gardens are situated around three Elm trees that are over 60 years old. The gardens began to take shape soon after the house was built 14 years ago. The landscape is divided into several areas: the front entrance garden, the side gravel garden, the Mediterranean garden, and the vegetable garden.

Being in Orange County, it seemed only natural to have citrus trees and as you enter the front gate, you will be greeted by a row of lemon trees. Keep going and you will find a variety of garden groupings–exotic Asian fruit trees nestled among desert plants, traditional English style trimmed boxwoods next to Italian Cypress trees, and some purely experimental ones based on the colors and textures of their foliage like the architectural Agaves next to the soft iceberg roses.

There is a balance between softscape and hardscape just as there is a balance of fruit trees, evergreens, succulents, and flower bushes. This garden will never be completely finished as there is always an area that needs to be redone or plants that need to be transplanted… but that is all part of the fun!