Secret Gardens of Hollywood: And Other Private Oases in Los Angeles - Hardcover

Erica Lennard is the photographer of the bestselling books The Art of Doing Nothing and The Art of Imperfection. Her other books include Gardens by the Sea and Artists' Gardens.

Adele Cygelman is a freelance writer specializing in interior design and architecture. Her book Palm Springs Modern was published by Rizzoli in 1999.

With Hollywood mansions nearly as fabled as their inhabitants, it's not surprising that many of the homes lay claim to some of the country's most fanciful gardens. For one, there's California's balmy climate, perfect for growing calla lilies, wisteria, cactus, jasmine, avocado trees and gardenias. Second, what better place to find someone to create a garden than a region jam-packed with people who are experts on transforming back lots into everything from snowy New England towns to tropical beaches? Lennard and Cygelman divide their book by garden theme, including Mediterranean, romantic, exotic and country. They take readers through 25 gardens, including Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson's water lily-filled yard; Judy Horton's shady front walkway; and Keith and Keri Addis's tightly clipped box hedges. If you can't have the backyard of a star, you might as well live vicariously through these lush photographs.
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