Laguna Niguel Design Center’s Garden Provides Inspiration

Tucked into a commercial corner of big-box stores and strip malls sits a little jewel of a garden. The only tip-off to what’s inside is the colorful flags gently rippling in the breeze. The Laguna Niguel Design Center, at Alicia Parkway and Alicia Creek Road, houses showrooms more than 40 home-furnishing manufacturers from around the world. Although free and open to the public, many showrooms require you to work through design professionals to purchase.

This is a formal garden of symmetrical beds planted with readily available shrubs that bloom throughout the year and provide ever-changing interest. All through the garden are small sitting areas where designers can meet with clients or visitors can sit and relax.

Water is an integral part of the garden. It helps to add movement to such a highly organized space. I have visited the garden on quiet days when I’m the only one around and have attended events such as sales or holiday programs. The garden provides a perfect backdrop for all occasions.

Rows of iceberg roses, beds of Raphiolepis (Indian Hawthorne) and the scent of star jasmine add to the beauty of the garden when their time to perform comes around.

The camellia beds are especially interesting. Camellias, native to Asia, have more than several thousand varieties, so there’s bound to be one that’s perfect for your garden.

Camellias are evergreen shrubs that can be easily pruned to fit just about anywhere. They can even be grown as small trees. One of the most interesting uses of this plant is to espalier it to a wall or trellis. A perfect solution to those shady side yard situations, they are virtually worry-free throughout the year, and then they surprise us with spectacular blooms.

Visit the Design Center to see how the use of very common plants can create a worry-free garden showcasing blooms throughout the year. Take your time, and plan a casual lunch at Cafe Neff while you’re there.