Secret Gardens

It’s only a dream away

every residential landscape ought to have within it a Secret Garden. That very special place where one can get out of the din of the day and quietly smile to one’s self.

When I walk through properties I always spot these potential “escape ways” into Alice’s Wonderland. Usually a tiny bit of imagination is all that is needed as they are already there awaiting your own magic touch. You’ll find such a sanctuary in the most unexpected of places. Along the side of the house or garage is a likely place to look. here in this long-forgotten place you may find old clay pots, empty nursery cans and a rusty wheelbarrow with a flat tire. It doesn’t sound very inspiring I know, but when you clean out the area you’ll notice for the first time a woody, old overgrown tree, shrub or vine. Remove its dry sticks to reveal the genesis of your shelter. Kids call these places forts; “The Authorities” refer to them as homeless encampments and you may just call it “no man’s land”. Regardless of the name just about any corner or your property can be transformed into a personal oasis where you can tuck yourself away from life and take a few deep breaths.

how does one make a “hobo camp” into a secret garden? This is when the fun begins. Imagine! Yes, you. Go ahead. Imagine some more. feels better already doesn’t it? Now take those imaginings of how it could look and build on it. Ask yourself “What flowering, shade-loving plants do I like?” oh yeah, and fragrance would be marvelous, perhaps osmanthus and heliotrope. You get the idea, just keep creating and believe me the secret garden will evolve.

With any luck you’ll have a much more inviting spot for your secret garden than the side of your garage. maybe there is a stand of trees or a creek at the end of the property. Instead of fencing it off, exploit it. If no such likely zone exists you may need to get even more creative. Approach the landscape as a child would when playing hide and Seek or going on an easter egg hunt. Let curious wonderment guide you through the garden until you arrive at just the right spot.

Now settle in and surround yourself with all those imaginings you dreamed up earlier. It is possible with some creative pruning you can create your secret garden right then and there. It may require a trip to the nursery to acquire the plants and things you like, but go ahead and splurge on it. Treat yourself to a little garden bench or “Bistro Set”. how about a birdbath? make up your own examples and get busy creating your Secret Garden. It’s personal opulence without guilt. Until next time, fill your garden with joy!

—Lisa Cullen

Lisa Cullen, landscape designer and organic gardener owns Montecito Landscape with her husband, Chris. She can be reached at 805.969.3984 or www.montecitolandscape.com. Follow her blog at www.gardengossipsb.blogspot.com and listen to Garden Gossip radio show on AM1290, Fridays at 11am and 9pm and Saturdays at 11am.

2 cups William’s excalibur Apple Cider

2 Tb apple cider vinegar

3 shallots -- minced finely

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

1 tablespoon Santa Ynez sage blossom honey from San marcos farms

Place the cider in a saucepan over medium heat and simmer until it has reduced to 1/3 cup (this can be done 1-2 days in advance and kept in the refrigerator).Combine and whisk mustard, honey, vinegar and reduced cider in a bowl. Slowly add walnut oil and canola oil while continuing to whisk. Add shallots and salt and pepper to taste. Place vinaigrette in a sealed jar that can be shaken prior to dressing the salad.

Home Cooking

pletely cooked (pour off excess fat). Replace pan over fire and increase heat. Sear cooked confit leg until exterior is golden brown. Return breast to pan, add bourbon glaze and cook until a syrup-y consistency. finish glazed duck in the oven at 450° for 2-3 min. This will cook center slightly and heat duck. After removing breast from oven let stand for 2-3 min., then slice. on the plate, place heaping mound of succotash in center, arrange duck slices around succotash. Place duck confit on top of succotash and garnish with thyme.

craB-StuFFed SQuaSh BLoSSomS (for 4 people)

16 squash blossoms

2 cups fresh rock crab meat

3 scallions, minced

2 Tbs. lemon juice

1 cup fennel bulb, grated pinch of white pepper or chile powder

Tempura batter frying oil

Combine the crab, scallions, fennel, and pepper. Stuff the squash blossoms, gently twisting the top of the petals to secure the crab filling.dip in tempura batter and for the salad

2 heads living butter lettuce from Carpinteria-based hollandia Produce

8 tablespoons goat cheese

1.5 cups candied walnuts

2 Bosc pears, cored and thinly sliced

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper fry in hot oil until golden. Serve hot atop a bed of spicy baby greens seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice. inSaLata caPreSe

Rinse, dry and gently tear the butter lettuce into bite-size pieces. Slice the goat cheese into thin rounds using dental floss. Shake the vinaigrette vigorously and pour it over the lettuce in a large bowl. Toss to combine. Plate the lettuce, sprinkle the walnuts over and place 2 rounds of goat cheese and 3-5 slices of pear on top of each.

This simplest of salads is very easy to prepare, but key is the quality of ingredients: buy the most fragrant tomatoes, the freshest basil, the highest quality olive oil you can afford. Fresh mozzarella di buffala imported from Campania is the best. Mozzarella should be so soft it melts in your mouth. Look for the best you can find. It is expensive, but so good.

Ingredients for 4 servings:

6 to 8 ripe Roma tomatoes

1 lb. fresh mozzarella di buffala

4 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil fresh basil leaves, chopped

Salt & fresh ground pepper

Slice the tomatoes and arrange in a circle on four individual plates. drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil on the tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and with fresh basil. Place a 1/2 ball of fresh mozzarella cheese in the center of each plate. Serve.

Compliments from the kitchens of Trattoria Mollie in Montecito.