One of the secrets that many Southern California plant enthusiasts are well aware of is that the usually mild, mediterranean climate can support many exotic and tropical plants. A perfect example of this is the 1 1/2 acre hillside garden in Bel Air, CA belonging to the Hirshfield sisters, and tended by their passionate gardening friend and housemate, Douglas Himmelfarb. 

The carefully crafted, jungle-esque landscape provides several micro-climates suitable for a wide array of plants including a huge collection of gardenias, palms, magnolias and bromeliads. Fragrance being a major consideration when selecting plants, a walk through their garden is a treat for the nose with an ever-present wafting aroma of plumerias, jasmines, and of course, gardenias. (read more...)