Native Plant Garden at The Arboretum of Los Angeles County

This garden design symbolically contrasts the natural environment with man’s manipulation of nature.  It captures the intersection of the local California chaparral and riparian environments.

This garden design symbolically contrasts the natural environment with man’s manipulation of nature.  It captures the intersection of the local California chaparral and riparian environments.

Decomposed granite paths meander through California native plantings and lead to a central focal point –a manmade version of a natural spring.  Real nocturnal animal tracks made as the material set overnight are preserved as a reminder of what is not all at once seen.   One real granite boulder is exactly reproduced three times and the four identical stones are set in a grid on a black granite slab.  The slab is sandblasted, polished and flame finished to resemble water frozen in time.  Small red granite leaf shapes of the adjacent mahonia plants are inlayed in the polished black stone and appear to float on the water.   The area is obviously manmade in its rigid geometry and stone representation of water but captures the peaceful mood of a natural spring.