South Coast Botanic Garden
The Rose Garden is a pivotal new garden for South Coast Botanic Garden. Originally envisioned by Deborah Richie Bray, Deneen Powell Atelier, Inc. was commissioned to take the lead on the final design and bring this signature garden to fruition. DPA retained and enhanced the initial concepts of a traditional geometric garden, with the addition of modern and a naturalistic rose garden areas. We also brought the design up to accessible codes and technical engineering. Many site specific details were added to create cohesiveness and a sense of place specific to SCBG.
In addition to plant selection, several key elements in the design were the salvage and re-use of existing pavers, PV stone, and heritage roses. DPA simplified and modernized the original trellis design and chose materials based on longevity with a steel core and wood cladding details. The entry plaza and fountain – a grand entry, has a wide approach walks lined by stone walls. The overlook plaza and relatively small fountain were visually extended by utilizing low garden walls, ramps and horizontal stone coursing, making it more linear and extending the area across width of the site.
DPA designed an original floral guard rail, transparent from straight-on to preserve the view into the garden but more apparent from the sides. Other rails were kept simple so they disappear – so that the roses remain the feature of the garden. Typical rose gardens appear as a mass of sticks and blossoms in some seasons. This garden includes companion plants, edging and accents to fill voids and create a rich garden regardless of the number of rose blossoms. There are over 90 distinct Rose types, species, hybrids and cultivars, including some heritage Roses that are now difficult to source.
