A Journey Through LA’s Green Spaces: 9 Gardens in Los Angeles to Add to Your List

Los Angeles, famously known for its glitz and glamour, is also home to numerous serene and beautiful gardens that offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life. From lush green parks to botanical gardens and private sanctuaries, Los Angeles has something for every nature lover. So whether you’re living in an apartment in Los Angeles or seeking an escape from your home in LA, there are plenty of picturesque and tranquil gardens awaiting you. 

In this article, we will explore some of the most enchanting gardens in Los Angeles. We’ll also share insights from LA locals, along with tips from expert gardeners for creating your own garden in this diverse and vibrant city. Let’s get started. 

Community gardens in Los Angeles

Living in Los Angeles, you’ll find a multitude of community gardens nestled in various Los Angeles neighborhoods. These gardens provide green spaces for local residents to connect, grow their own food, and foster a sense of community. Typically managed by neighborhood associations or nonprofit organizations, these community gardens offer urban dwellers a unique opportunity to get their hands dirty and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of gardening.

1. Emerson Avenue Community Garden

“If you’re looking for a welcoming green haven in Los Angeles, look no further than Emerson Avenue Community Garden,” insists travel blogger Alex on the Map. “This vibrant space offers opportunities to learn about gardening, make new friends, and enjoy the outdoors. With fun events, workshops, and a diverse array of plants, it’s an unforgettable experience for fellow garden enthusiasts. Don’t miss out on this amazing spot that combines community, education, and nature in the heart of LA.”

2. Compton Community Garden

According to Taylor Lindsey, the owner of The Plant Plug, “the Compton Community Garden is a standout non-“pay per plot” garden in Los Angeles County, providing opportunities for gardening education and community events. Additionally, residents can support sustainability efforts by taking their food waste to LA Compost’s Griffith Park hub, where it can be transformed into usable soil. Join the movement towards community, sustainability, and fresh produce in Los Angeles.”

3. Audubon Center at Debs Park

The Audubon Center at Debs Park is another noteworthy community garden in Los Angeles that brings together conservation, education, and community engagement. The community garden at the Audubon Center offers local residents opportunities to learn about sustainable gardening practices, participate in workshops and events, and reconnect with nature amidst the urban environment. Serving as a demonstration site for native plant species, the garden showcases the significance of biodiversity and habitat conservation in urban areas.

4. South Central Farm

Another excellent illustration of a community garden in Los Angeles is the South Central Farm, spanning an impressive 14 acres, making it the largest in the city. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the South Central Farm is a dynamic hub of sustainable agriculture and community activism. 

With over 1000 individual plots for community members to grow their own fruits, vegetables, and flowers, as well as communal spaces for workshops, events, and education programs, it serves as a beacon of how community gardens can transform vacant lots into thriving green spaces that promote food security, environmental stewardship, and social cohesion.

Botanical gardens in Los Angeles

Botanical gardens are a popular attraction in Los Angeles, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. These gardens are often managed by nonprofit organizations or government agencies, and offer a variety of educational programs and events for the community. 

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, botanical gardens serve as important repositories for rare and endangered plant species. By exploring these gardens, visitors can learn about the vital role plants play in our ecosystem, as well as appreciate the beauty and diversity of plant life.

5. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Located in the picturesque San Marino neighborhood, The Huntington is a world-renowned institution that houses a vast collection of rare books, manuscripts, and art, along with stunning botanical gardens spanning over 120 acres. The gardens are divided into various sections, including the Desert Garden, Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden, and Rose Garden, each offering a unique and breathtaking experience. 

The Desert Garden features a striking display of cacti and succulents, while the Japanese Garden transports visitors to a tranquil oasis with its serene ponds, traditional tea house, and meticulously landscaped gardens. The Chinese Garden is a masterpiece of Chinese architecture and design, with its elegant pavilions, rock formations, and waterfalls. The Rose Garden is a riot of colors with thousands of roses in bloom, making it a favorite spot for weddings and photography.

6. The Getty Center Gardens

Nestled atop the Santa Monica Mountains, the Getty Center is a world-class museum with stunning gardens that offer panoramic views of Los Angeles. 

The Central Garden, designed by renowned artist Robert Irwin, is a living artwork with its winding paths, cascading waterfalls, and meticulously manicured plants. The garden is a perfect blend of art, architecture, and nature, making it a must-visit for garden enthusiasts and art lovers alike. 

The Getty Center also features several other gardens, including the Cactus Garden and the Sculpture Garden, which are equally mesmerizing and provide unique perspectives of the city below.

7. The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

Located in Arcadia, the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a sprawling 127-acre botanical paradise that showcases a diverse range of plant species from around the world. 

The gardens are organized into various sections, including the Australian Garden, African Garden, Mediterranean Garden, and Aquatic Garden, each offering a distinct botanical experience. The Arboretum also features several walking trails, a historic Queen Anne Cottage, and a peacock sanctuary, making it a delightful place to explore and unwind.

8. Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine

“If you’re seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, consider visiting one of the many beautiful botanic garden preserves in Los Angeles. A personal favorite is the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine, located just a block from Santa Monica beach and free to the public,” shares travel blog, Resist the Mundane. “This tranquil spot offers clean air, the soothing sounds of birds and wildlife, and an opportunity to surround yourself with plants and nature within the city. It’s the perfect place to unwind, reset your daily routine, and relieve stress and anxiety.”

9. Blue Ribbon Garden

“Nestled amidst the downtown L.A. skyscrapers, the Blue Ribbon Garden at the Walt Disney Concert Hall is a stunning oasis of contemporary beauty,” recommends travel site Viet Linh. 

“This modern garden is an ideal destination for a leisurely stroll, a romantic date, or capturing breathtaking photos. The “A Rose for Lilly” fountain is a standout feature, adding a touch of elegance to the garden. For urban hiking enthusiasts, the outer walls of the Disney Concert Hall offer a unique vantage point to take in sweeping views of downtown Los Angeles and the surrounding hills. The metal panels that adorn the building’s exterior reflect sunlight in mesmerizing ways, creating a constantly shifting and shimmering visual spectacle.”

5 expert tips for creating your own garden in Los Angeles

If you are inspired by the stunning gardens of Los Angeles and want to create your own green oasis, here are some expert tips to keep in mind:

1. Choose drought-tolerant plants

Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Therefore, it’s important to choose plants that are well-suited to the region’s arid conditions. Opt for drought-tolerant plants such as succulents, cacti, California natives, and Mediterranean species that require less water and can thrive in the city’s dry climate.

2. Consider Native Plants

Using native plants in your garden not only helps conserve water, but also promotes biodiversity by providing habitat for local wildlife. Native plants are adapted to the region’s climate and soil conditions, making them easier to maintain and more resistant to pests and diseases.

3. Water-wise gardening

“To ensure a thriving garden in Los Angeles, prioritize water-wise gardening practices,” shares  Malibu Fountains. “Consider installing efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation or soaker hoses, and harvest rainwater using barrels connected to drainpipes. This becomes especially crucial during water use restrictions in times of drought, providing a valuable backup source for your garden’s water needs.”

4. Support biodiversity

“At select luxury etco Homes communities in L.A., we’ve implemented a sustainable beekeeping program called BeeHome,” shares Joy Maine, VP of Marketing and Design for etco Homes. “Thousands of bees are housed on the rooftop terraces of our model homes, promoting biodiversity within our communities and contributing to a more sustainable approach to urban living.”

“Bees are vital for food production and the preservation of pollinators, including butterflies, bumblebees, and more, which are in rapid decline worldwide. With over 130 varieties of fruits and vegetables relying on bees for pollination, adding bee-friendly gardens can create a healthier ecosystem. Join us in supporting the well-being of bees and promoting biodiversity in your own garden.”

5. Practice Sustainable Gardening

Los Angeles has a strong focus on sustainability and conservation, so it’s essential to adopt eco-friendly gardening practices. Use organic fertilizers, compost, and mulch to enrich the soil and reduce the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides. Collect rainwater in barrels

Gardens for nature lovers in the City of Angels

These gardens not only provide spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation but also offer opportunities for education, community engagement, and sustainable practices. Whether you’re a resident living in Los Angeles or a visitor exploring the city, don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the green oases that abound in the City of Angels. Discover the natural beauty that thrives within the urban landscape and create your own garden sanctuary in this diverse and vibrant city. Happy gardening. 

The Arrival of Spring

Spring has arrived in Malibu, a little early but who is complaining! Now is the time to get a jump start on creating your best garden ever! Early spring can easily get away from you but with the clocks springing forward we now have an extra hour to attend to the necessary tasks that need to be done.  Below are seven essential spring gardening tasks to begin now. 

Seven Essential Spring Gardening Tasks 

1) Inspect your garden
Take a turn around your garden looking for damage done over the winter. Damaged plants, broken branches, beds that need to be tidied up. 

Look at your structures such as trellises, garden sheds, fences, and walls, note what needs repairing. Check for rodent burrows and damage. Buy non-rodenticide remedies to address the new visitors or call an expert to get rid of them in a humane manner. 

2) Hardscaping first
While the ground is still warming up, take care of the hardscaping which means repairing fences and walls, stepping stones which have lifted. Clean out your gutters, window boxes, and raised beds. This is also the best time to start planning for and building raised garden beds, As it gets a bit warmer a fresh coat of paint, sealant or stain on anything made of wood will instantly refresh the look of your garden or patio.

2) Spring clean 
Before daffodils, tulips or any spring bulbs start surfacing, clean up the debris that has accumulated over the last few months. Molding leaves, fallen twigs and branches, last year's perennial foliage, and any annuals you did not remove in the autumn. A clean garden reduces the infestation of pests and keeps diseases at bay.  If you have a container garden, use a 1 part bleach to 5 parts water solution to take care of any lingering insect eggs or diseases in your containers. 

3) Feed your soil
Over the winter, the rain, snow, and subsequent runoff will have depleted your soil's nutrients. It will need a good dose of fresh nutrients. Top dress the soil with an inch or two of compost, humus or manure in early spring. This is also a good time to sprinkle granules of slow-release plant feed around your rose bushes and flowering shrubs. Fruit trees, citrus trees, and avocado trees can be fed now as well. Earthworms and other insects will help to work these materials into the soil for you.

4) Pruning
Make sure you have a sharp pair of pruning shears and start pruning out any broken or damaged branches on trees and shrubs. Remove the deadwood that you will find within rose bushes and other ornamental shrubs. Flowering shrubs that bloom at the new year's growth can be trimmed in the spring. These include butterfly bush, smooth hydrangea, roses. Fresh flower buds will appear on the new growth that appears after you have pruned it. This is also a great time to shear back hedges and evergreens. 

5) Divide perennials
This is my favorite task as it allows you to expand your garden landscape without extra expense. In most cases, it is best to divide and move perennials in the opposite season of when they bloom, so now is the time to move summer and fall-blooming perennials. Look around the garden and any plant that has outgrown its space or simply become too large is ripe for division. To accomplish this, simply dig the plant out of the ground, take two garden forks and push them into the center of the plant back to back and pushing outward, divide the clump. Replace the original plant into the hole from which it was dug and find a new spot within your garden for its offspring. If you move them while they have yet to flower, there will be less stress on the plants and they will reward you with a rejuvenated parent plant and a vigorous new plant. Doing this on a yearly basis saves a ton of money from buying new potted plants from the garden center. Always water in with a solution of B12 - a capful to a gallon of water, this will help the roots establish quickly.

6) Establish support and trellis
Before your plants kick into their more vigorous growing stage, early spring is a good time to position stakes, frames or trellises for your plants. Once the garden gets going it can be tricky wrangling your plant into or onto its support apparatus.

7) Spring container garden
Though most annual flowers need the soil to have warmed up with the danger of frost past, some flowers that don't mind cool weather can be planted now. These include african daisies, pansies, lobelia and sweet alyssum. For most others, it is best to wait until all danger of frost has passed. If a surprise late frost is forecast, simply cover your container flowers with muslin or other fine fabric and they will survive. Try grouping your containers together in groups of three for a stunning focal point! Or position a container either side of your doorway for a fresh spring welcome when you or guests arrive at your front door.

Tiki Hut Inspiration

Before:

After:

Once all your tasks are completed, use your imagination and look at neglected areas of your garden, an overgrown corner may be just the place to create a space for meditation, a children's fairy garden, a place to sit and sip tea, coffee or wine as you admire your hard work. In our case, the only idea that got my husband swinging a hammer was the idea of a tiki hut! I cleared all the overgrowth myself early last spring, and eventually we finished the hut much to the enjoyment and amusement of our family and friends! Here are the before and after of the forgotten corner complete with one of our glass Lily Flower fountains. 

Our Flower Fountains

I hope you have been inspired to get out in the fresh air and a headstart on what will be your best garden ever. What is good for your garden is good for your soul!

The Arrival of Fall

Nature produced a rare and spectacular thunder and lightning show to herald the arrival of the fall season here in Malibu! We are all praying for a rainy season to offset the drought we are experiencing. The thunderstorm produced some rain and more is expected in the next few days! 

I was able to snap some photos of the storm and will be uploading them to the Lisa McKean Photography link on our web page. 

Our Oracle fountain with lighting provided by Aquascapeinc.com

As you may have seen from the news, shipping around the world has been impacted greatly by both Covid and because our fountains are made and shipped from the UK, the complications Brexit wrought. Although our shipments over the course of the year have made it to their destinations pretty close to the promised delivery dates, the cost of shipping and haulage has risen dramatically. We are doing all we can to keep our costs down for our customers but please keep these costs in mind when contemplating purchasing one of our fountains. 

On a happier note, our Wildfire to Wildflower mission, which we started after the Woolsey fire devastated the mountains and neighborhoods around us, has truly helped to bring back birds, bees and butterflies to the landscape surrounding us! Of course with the drought, we had to hand-water the wildflower seeds but they successfully grew and bloomed to the delight of ourselves and all the native pollinators. Although it took all my discipline to resist deadheading spent flowers, I was rewarded by the sight of many birds who came and perched on the flower stems to eat the seed heads! Hopefully with rainy El Nino this year more and more wildflowers will bloom continuing our mission! 
 

Many customers have inquired about fountain pumps and keeping their water features working optimally. It is imperative to have a good pump. The custom-made fine mesh stainless steel pump bag which we provide with the fountain, is vital to ensuring the pump will not be interfered with by grit and debris. I think this article found here at HappyDIYHome.com is a wonderful reference for all those questions. 

What I find really lovely is how many customers continue to send me photos or videos of their fountains, months or years after they have been installed. One customer sent me this video of her Oracle fountain with lighting provided by Aquascapeinc.com. They did a stunning job in creating a truly magical effect, which apparently has neighbors stopping by to ohhhh and ahhh. 

Fountain at Night from Malibufountains.com on Vimeo.

Lastly, it has been almost three years since the fire destroyed our home and property, but we have finally moved into our re-build. It is fantastic to be home! What a journey it has been. Although the fire and then the looters took the fountains that once dotted the property, our next big project is to create an enchanting, fragrant garden complete with fountains once again. I hope to share our progress with you in the next newsletter! This last photo is my vision for what I would like to create, a pergola promenade! 
 

Pergola promenade inspiration - photo by Alamy

How To Clean A Pond

A goldfish or koi pond is a great addition to any backyard. But if it isn’t properly maintained or cleaned it can quickly become an eyesore. 

Depending upon how filthy your pond is you may be able to get by with a little tidying up or you may need to do a full cleanout. If the water is dark in color and has developed a layer of crud at the bottom you may need to opt for the latter. 

In this article, I will be detailing how to do a full pond clean-out. If you decide this isn’t necessary check out this article on cleaning your pond without draining the water. 

How To Clean A Pond Step By Step

1. Gather Needed Tools & Supplies

2. Drain The Pond & Remove Fish

3. Clean Pond

4. Clean & Inspect Equipment

5. Inspect Pond For Problems

6. Fill With Water & Add Fish

The Best Time To Clean Your Pond

The ideal time to do a full pond cleaning is in the spring. This should be early spring before the water temperature in the pond rises above 55° F or 13° C. 

At this time, your fish and other bacterial life are in a state of relative dormancy. This is important because cleaning during this period will have the least amount of impact. Not only will it be easier on your fish but also on the biological balance in the pond.

As the temperatures rise in the spring and summer the beneficial bacteria begin to grow and multiply. Cleaning during this time will have a larger impact and throw off the nitrogen cycle. This can result in ammonia spikes in the pond. 

Gather Needed Tools & Supplies

Before you begin the cleaning process you need to make sure you have all the necessary equipment on hand. 

Recommended Pond Clean Out Tools & Supplies

• Cleanout pump & hose

• Pressure washer or high-pressure garden hose nozzle

• Nets – skimmer net & fishnet

• Fish Holding Tank(s) – 200 gallons or more with aeration recommended

• Pond Vacuum

• Water Treatments – water conditioner, beneficial bacteria

• Garden Shears – to trim plants

Drain The Pond & Remove Fish

Draining your pond completely can take several minutes or hours depending upon size. Cleaning may begin if you choose while draining is ongoing as the pond becomes exposed. 

Pond Draining Steps

1. Place the sump or cleanout pump in the deepest spot of the pond

2. Begin draining your pond water into the fish holding tank

3. Drain the remaining water to an appropriate place

4. After 1 foot of water is removed begin netting your fish and moving them to the tank

First, fill your fish holding tanks with your pond water. Doing this will ensure your fish aren’t shocked by being placed directly into new water. We will go over the steps to acclimate your fish to the new pond water later. 

Make sure your holding tank is in a shady place if possible. You should also add some bubblers for aeration and a net over the top to prevent jumping.  

Put a little thought into where you want to drain your pond. This murky pond water contains a lot of nutrients so you may want to use it to water your garden. If you choose to drain the water into your lawn you should move the hose 2 or 3 times to prevent flooding any particular spot. 

Once the water is low enough to easily net your fish you may begin to do so. As you catch the fish this is a great time to give them a quick look for any disease or injuries. Look for sores, damaged fins, or anything else that seems off. 

Cleaning The Pond 

Pond Cleaning Steps

1. Skim floating debris out with a pond net as the water drains

2. Wash liner, rock, gravel, and other surfaces with a pressure washer or garden hose

3. Periodically flush dirty water out with cleanout pump

4. Use a pond vacuum to clean out hard to remove sludge

While you are draining your pond, get your skimmer net and remove any debris floating around. You can also clean and inspect water features and skimmers as they become exposed. 

With the water drained completely you can now begin to wash the inside of the pond. You can use either a pressure washer or a high-pressure garden hose nozzle. 

Pressure washers work great but you need to use them carefully. You want to keep the nozzle at least 8 inches away from any surface you are cleaning. The purpose of this is twofold. If held too close you risk blowing a hole through your pond liner. Additionally, every surface in your pond has a biofilm on it. This biofilm is the beneficial bacteria that recycle ammonia resulting from fish waste and organic matter in your pond. So we don’t want to wash all of it away.

While washing you will want to occasionally run your cleanout pump to flush the muck out. You can also use a pond vacuum to get rid of any hard to remove sludge at the bottom. 

Clean & Inspect Pond Equipment

With the water drained and the pond cleaned, we can turn our attention to the pond filter (skimmer), pump, waterfall, and any other pond equipment. 

Cleaning out your pond filter (skimmer)

1. Remove any filter pads and media.

2. Gently rinse these to remove any loose debris.

3. Clean out any algae, debris, and sludge from inside the filter housing with a pressure washer or garden hose.

With everything cleaned you can reassemble your skimmer and reattach the pump. 

This process will be the same with a bio falls waterfall if you have one of those as well. 

Inspect Pond For Problems

With everything cleaned it’s a good idea to do a quick inspection before you refill the pond. It’s far easier to tackle any problems when the pond is empty rather than full!

This is a great time to look for things like:

• Tears or damage to the liner

• Broken equipment or materials

• Out of place rocks or other decorations

• Plants that need care or trimming

Fill With Water & Add Fish

Now that the hard work is all done we just need to add water and fish right? Not so fast!

While koi, goldfish, and other pond fish are generally hardy species we want to perform this step with some care. 

Filling the pond and adding fish

1. Fill the pond with fresh water

2. Treat water with a pond detoxifier

3. Add Beneficial bacteria

4. Acclimate fish to new water

5. Gently release fish back into the pond

Once the pond has been refilled we will need to treat the water. Tap water contains things like chlorine and fluoride which can be harmful to your fish. This water will need to be treated to neutralize these chemicals. Any commercial pond detoxifier can be used to accomplish this task. You can also opt to add beneficial bacteria at this point. 

Next, we need to acclimate our fish to the new pond water. The water fresh from your tap is likely colder than the water in your holding tanks. Dropping them straight in would stress and possibly shock your fish. 

There are a couple of ways to prepare your fish for reintroduction. 

If your fish are small enough you can place them in 5-gallon pails filled from the holding tank. Place these buckets into the pond and let them float. Leave them there for at least 15 minutes splashing fresh water in occasionally. 

After at least 15 minutes has passed, the water temperature in the buckets should have stabilized. You may now release your fish back into the pond. 

Alternatively, you can replace some of the water from the holding tank with fresh cold water. Simply drain about 25% of the old water and replace it with fresh water. Do this a few different times giving them some time to acclimate to the new water. When you are satisfied with this you may release them back into the pond. 

Final Thoughts

You should now have a nice, clean, backyard fish pond to enjoy! With a few basic tools and a little know-how cleaning out a pond is something anyone can do. 

If you run into any serious problems along the way or don’t feel comfortable with the process, reach out to a professional pond service.

New Ideas To Celebrate Spring 2021

Spring is just around the corner and to celebrate we are introducing our new copper tree fountains! The Olive Tree is a more diminutive version of the Ancient Olive Tree and will create a lovely focal point for a smaller garden. Another new fountain we are introducing is the unique collection of Magic Mushroom fountains fashioned in 100% lead. The Magic Mushrooms come in a set of 6 and stand 4 feet tall. They are perfectly suited nestled within a garden bed or border. We are excited to welcome these fountains to our tree family!

Spring Product Highlight

Check out our ever popular Gracenote Windchimes, handmade and hand tuned right here in California. These are our favorite Chimes on the market! We have had many re-orders for them as the musical notes are heavenly and the construction is of the highest standard. They complement the pleasing, calming sound of the tree fountain droplets cascading down from the branches. They are also a wonderful focal point on their own. Unseen breezes flutter the chimes creating good Chi energy flow in the garden.

Here in Malibu, our home is almost finished being re-built after the Woolsey fire that ravaged our neighborhood and surrounding mountains two and half years ago. Once the home is finished we can concentrate on the landscaping where we will once again provide space to exhibit some of the tree fountains. Although not even the fire could destroy the copper fountains and beautiful copper pools they were placed in, looters stole them in the night, right after the fire. Hence starting over, and looking forward to having them once again as part of our garden by the summertime.

To help in the recovery of our gardens and the surrounding mountains, Malibu Fountains has been giving away wildflower seed packets to encourage pollinating insects to return home. The Malibu Times magazine featured me in their spring issue, scattering wildflower seeds before the last rains! If you are interested in a free packet of wildflower seeds, please feel free to contact us at lisa@malibufountains.com and we will provide you with packet of fresh seeds!

Stay well and stay safe.
Sincerely,
Lisa McKean
Founder
MalibuFountains.com

Find us online

Follow us on Instagram, and tag #malibufountains when you share photos of your beautiful fountains and gardens!

From Wildfire To Wild Flowers

Here in Malibu, we have just passed the second anniversary of the Woolsey Fire that devastated over ninety-six thousand acres of land, most of it our local mountains. The fire started across the San Fernando Valley in the Santa Susana mountain range. It burned 35 miles all the way to the Pacific Ocean, destroying everything in its path. 

Cougars, Coyotes, Deer, from the top of the food chain were vanquished, as well as small animals and birds. Then the bees, butterflies, and insects that thrived on the bountiful land. Our environment was and still is seriously out of kilter until nature can rebalance itself again. 

I cried when we lost our home and surveyed the smouldering, smokey ruins of our neighbors' homes. I cried when I would look up to the mountains or drive through our canyons and as far as the eye could see was black ash and ghostly silhouettes of burned trees.  I thought of ways I might be able to nurture and coax life back to the hills and canyons. I came up with an idea called Wildfire to Wildflowers where, if I scattered wildflower seeds on the verges and gullies of our neighborhood, perhaps it might be a start. Eighteen months later I was rewarded by the sight of wildflowers, where once it was just a barren piece of land along the roadside. A cornucopia of wildflowers sprang up in a multitude of variety and color, attracting bees, butterflies, and insects to this patch of land.

The Charred Santa Monica Mountains

It cannot be underestimated how much help our bees and butterflies need right now, their very existence is in danger according to scientists. 

I feel a renewed sense of urgency to keep going forward, scattering and planting wildflower seeds as soon as the rainy season begins in December. 

I want to share this joy with those who also feel the same desire to rejuvenate the land, help the insects thrive and enjoy the beauty of wildflowers growing from the ashes that still clings to the earth. 

Therefore my company Malibu Fountains is giving away complimentary wildflower seeds selected especially because they are native to this area. As a current newsletter subscriber, if you are interested in receiving the seeds, please contact me at lisa@malibufountains.com

The company I chose to buy from is American Meadows, which is doing amazing work to help rebalance the ecology here in the United States. Here is their link.

Nature has its own system of checks and balances, scientists say. Fire burns off natural oils and secretions from shrubs that block competition from other plants. Clearing away old growth, fire in turn increases the diversity of chaparral plants. Likewise, fire can rejuvenate forests, too, putting nutrients back into the soil to stimulate new growth.

Generally, it’s the annuals that put on the brightest post-fire flower show, experts say. No longer shaded by overgrown trees and chaparral, golden daisies glow in the extra sunlight. Indian paintbrush and scarlet larkspur offer splashes of vivid red. Pink lupines and purple penstemons bloom in abundance.

Those flowers were always present but unseen, their seed waiting in the soil for the right opportunity. Now we have a chance to encourage more wildflowers to grow again joining those that have always been there waiting to help heal the land.

If you would like to join me in this happy and rewarding venture, please contact Lisa@malibufountains.com for wildflower seeds to scatter this winter, or to plant in your own garden.  

If handling tiny seeds is not your thing, here is a fun way of doing it - you can order seed bombs as featured in this Mental Floss story. 

2 Years Ago This Week After The Fire

The Beauty and Magic Of Copper

I was inspired to write about what makes copper so unique and special when I made a fun discovery inside a cave on an island off of California. I was poking along the rocky water's edge lapping the island, gathering seashells, when I crouched down and looked to the very end of a low and shallow cave. I spied something back there that caught my eye with its emerald green color aglow in the dark back of the cave. I thought perhaps it was an unusual bolder or cobble that was sparkling with a green and blue luster from the sea washing over it. I scuttled like a crab to the back and reached for the curious rock and found it was moveable! I wiggled it back and forth and then it popped out of the sand. It was the most unusual thing I ever encountered! It was like an open canister, squashed at one end with pockmarks and holes and the most exquisite shades of blue and green and orangy/red. It looked like it had been in the sea for a long time. 

I paddled back to the boat with it, and excitedly showed my friends, exclaiming "What is this? What could it possibly be?"  The guys resolved it first: it was a copper casing from a military weapon that had been shot at. Back in WWII, the island had been used by the military for training and target practice, which means my artifact had rested in the sea for seventy years. Because of copper's unique properties, the artifact grew more beautiful as it aged through the years. 

Bullet-Strafed Copper Artifact

Copper was one of the first metals the human race began to use, pre-dating the Bronze Age. Here is a wonderful source to learn more about copper and its history.

Today copper is valued for practical purposes (wiring). In fact, after the fire that swept through Malibu almost two years ago, looters came through our burnt-out homes and stole people's copper wiring! The looters hit the motherlode at our property and stole our copper tree fountains and beautiful copper pools, even though they had been burnt in the fire. Copper is a valuable commodity.  

The beauty and magic of copper are best observed, in my opinion, by its use in art and most particularly sculpture. Especially sculptures that interact with nature's elements like wind and water. 

For me, the best outdoor copper wind sculptures are made by Lyman Whitaker. These are a real treat that will mesmerize your eye and soothe the spirit as you observe the wind silently turning the sculpture.

A Copper Wind Sculpture With Patina by Lyman Whitaker

Our fountains are my absolute favorite way to see art made with copper. I love being in the workshop and watching as the leaves are painstakingly cut from sheets of copper. They are then molded and scored to create a realistic look of an oak or maple leaf. It makes me respect the patience required to create hundreds of these for each fountain. The leaves are soldered on to the tiny branches that carry the water flow from the bigger branches. Water is then pumped inside the tree trunk, where it travels up the tree and spills from the tips of the branches. It is quite a process but the finished tree is a true work of art. 

Our Copper Fountains

A Patinated Oak Tree Fountain In The Winter

The magic of copper and a copper tree fountain its ability to change through the years as it patinas to those magical turquoise, emerald, and russet colors. Just like the 70 year old copper casing of my found artifact! 

Creating A Healing Sensory Garden

As the weeks and months go by, we are still for the most part, working from and staying at home. A lot of time is spent gazing out the window! More clients have begun inquiring how to create what is known as a Sensory Garden. For singles on their own, or family members who are elderly or immune-compromised, it is especially vital to create a space outside for a change of scenery, meditation and joy. 

The understanding that nature has a soothing, restorative effect on humans has been known throughout history. From medieval infirmaries to modern day spa retreats, it has been recognized that access to the outdoors and outdoor places for contemplation and exercise, have a healing effect on a person’s mental and physical health.  Even the smallest area, can be transformed into a place that will delight the senses.

A healing garden should provide a multi-sensory experience. Plant shrubs and trees that will provide various textures and shades of green, flowers that attract butterflies, birds, usually those with vivid floral color to excite the eye. Add the sight and sound of water. Use decorative accents that come alive to the slightest breeze. Wind spinners and wind chimes do both and mesmerize the eye and ear. Grace Note Chimes, based in California, hand crafts and hand tunes their wind chimes. Their chimes truly add a magical element to your healing garden.

Tiger Eye Flower

If there is room, add trees, whether in containers or planted in the ground, trees that will rustle in the wind, such as bamboo or pines. A wonderful, colorful tree that can be grown happily in both containers and in a garden is the Tiger Eye Abutilon found here.  This small tree adds so much with its vivid, multi-colored flowers and pleasing form! 

Grasses too should be incorporated as they do not require much care but add feathery texture that come alive with movement in just the gentlest of breezes.

Include a forager corner where scented herbs can be crushed and smelled, One of the most important herb to grow for its health-giving properties is Sage. I am fortunate to be able to pick leaves off the wild white sage that grows on the hillsides here in the Santa Monica mountains. I use it to make a tea and mix it with a small teaspoon of Avocado honey.

Here are some of the benefits of White Sage. It is a definite must in this time of being extra careful about our health.  Sage is an easily grown herb, and one I would be sure to include. I discovered an invaluable source for researching and identifying the best wild plants that are beneficial to our health, that we can find already growing in our gardens or in wild areas near our homes. It is called The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies and you can find it here.

A forager corner should also contain edible plants like wild strawberries, nasturtiums, cherry tomatoes, chives, basil, really anything that is easy to pop into your mouth and delight your taste buds. 

The focal point of a sensory garden is a water feature. It doesn’t matter how elaborate or simple it is, incorporating the music of a burbling fountain fills the garden with a soothing and uplifting sound.  Humans are naturally soothed by the sound of water. It is a primal connection to our very being. 

Our Flower Fountains

Our Willow Fountain installed in a sensory garden in Charlestown, South Carolina

A healing sensory garden will stimulate your sight, your sense of smell, and is pleasing to both your ears and taste buds.  Spending part of your day in your Healing Garden, will nourish your body and soul and provide a much-needed respite from all this time we are spending indoors! It is a creative endeavor and one that you will find immensely rewarding.

At Home With Lisa: Delicious, Nutritious Dandelions

Dandelion Appreciation Day was March 21, and I didn’t want this humble flower and superfood to go unappreciated! Much maligned as weeds, dandelions are, in fact, one of the great treasures that Nature has bestowed upon us! The years I spent living in the English countryside, brought me close to nature and the bounty of forageable delights growing in the hedgerows and meadows that were all around me. Come the Spring, it was time to gather dandelions and nettles (nettles need handling with garden gloves) and bring them home to create delicious soups and salads. I was fortunate to have nearby, a watercress farm, the last in the Chess Valley still growing cress by the same family for over one hundred years! These three ingredients, watercress, nettles and dandelions,  thrown into a pot with a braised chopped onion and a few cups of vegetable or chicken broth, simmered and then blended produced my favorite spring cleanse.  All three are powerhouse providers of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants.

Watercress is a particularly potent lung cancer fighter. http://bit.ly/1f0sHlt

According to the USDA Bulletin #8 "Composition of Foods" (Haytowitz and Matthews, 1984) dandelions rank in the top four green vegetables in overall nutritional value. In "Gardening for Better Nutrition" the dandelion is ranked 9th out of all vegetables, including grains, seeds and greens. Dandelions are natures's richest source of Vitamin A of all foods, after cod-liver oil and beef liver! They are also particularly rich in fiber, potassium, iron, calcium magnesium, phosphorus, the B vitamins, Thiamine and riboflavin and a good source of protein.

Now is the time to start plucking dandelions, while the leaves are young and the flower heads (the crown) are appearing. The crown before blossoming is at its most tender and sweet. Young dandelion leaves are tender and can be added to salads and sandwiches for a super boost of nutrition. The leaves can also be sauteed or steamed like any other greens and added to all sorts of recipes. Always forage away from roadsides, areas treated with chemicals or places popular with pets.

There is a traditional soup in France, creme de pissentlits (cream of dandelion) that is delicious and wonderful dinner party fare because it is a delightful talking point when it is pointed out that one has gone out and foraged the main ingredient! It combines the dandelions spiciness and subtle bitterness with other savory flavors. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

6 cups of dandelions greens trimmed and washed

1/2 onion chopped or 2 leeks (white part only)

2 clove of garlic (minced)

2 tablespoon butter or olive oil

 2 carrots, diced

4 cups of vegetable broth

2 1/2 cups milk

1 tablespoon of Dijon Mustard (optional) it adds a bit of spicy depth

salt and lots of fresh ground pepper to taste

 dandelion flowerhead or sprig  for garnish

Heat the butter/oil in a large pot over medium heat and sautee the onion, carrot, onion or leeks, and minced garlic clove for 15 minutes. Add the stock and simmer for about 15 minutes. Reduce heat and add some of the milk-not all, stirring until slightly thickened. Add the mustard.  Puree mix in a blender, until smooth, then add the rest of the milk to your desired consistency. I like a thicker soup so tend to add less. If you want to enhance the sweetness of the greens, adding a taste of honey will do the trick!  Serve in bowls and garnish with dandelion sprigs .

So before you get out the weed killer and eradicate the humble dandelion from your life think about becoming its friend instead!  It will give to your life and taste-buds the health giving bounty that mother nature had intended for us to use and enjoy. 

Life in the time of Coronavirus

As I gaze outside my home, keeping myself safe and the rest of the world safe, I see two butterflies chasing each other, a hummingbird zipping by and a rabbit nibbling on the young shoots of my flowers! It seems unfair that Spring is bursting forth in all it's kaleidoscope of color, frisky wildlife, blossom fragrance and for the most part, we have to remain indoors. What to do to keep ourselves healthy both physically and mentally?

Embrace Your Garden

First thing I would recommend is if you have a garden, get into it!

So much is growing now and that includes weeds! Pulling weeds is great exercise and gives a wonderful sense of control when everything seems out of control.
Restoring order in your own little domain, whether it is a large garden, a small patio or even on your balcony creates a great sense of well being.

Once weeds are cleared out, you can step back and think creatively about changes you would like to make to freshen things up. Take the time to step indoors and peruse garden company catalogues online, such as this one. If you love roses (and the scent of fragrant roses always lifts the spirit), I highly recommend HeirloomRoses.com.

Perusing sources for inspiration is a fun and enjoyable way to get yourself into a creative mindset and will give you a focus beyond the news cycle.

Meanwhile, search your home or garden for garden tools that need cleaning, boxes of plant feed that can be sprinkled about, giving the flowers and shrubs a nice boost after winter. If you feel confident, look around for plants that could use dividing and replanting. So many people leave their plants to grow too large when what really makes them thrive is dividing them up! Give extra clumps you don't need to neighbors whom you may inspire to get into the garden too! Leave them on the doorstep and walk away with that happy feeling that just giving inspires. 

In this time of sickness and uncertainty, create a tranquility garden, one which has a place to sit and listen to a small (or large) water feature.

Fill it with shrubs and flowers that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and songbirds. It takes a little time but they will find you!

No garden or outdoor space? Enjoy this virtual garden tour.

Medicinal Herbs To Boost Your Immune System

There are many herbs that nourish you and plants that you can grow that are super immune boosters. One AMAZING tree that can be put into the ground or grown in a container, is the Moringa tree. I use the powder from the Moringa tree (from Kuli Kuli) which can be bought on their website or from local health food stores. Blended into my smoothie every morning, it is a powerhouse of nutrients! It is really that good, and you can even eat the leaves right off the tree! I have ordered the tree for my garden from here.

An ancient herb that I used to grow in my garden in England that is very valuable in protecting and healing the respiratory system, which is vulnerable to this virus, is Hyssop. In additional to its medicinal properties, it has lovely purple spire flowers that are attractive to bees and butterflies. Please read. This is an important herb to add to your diet in the time of Coronavirus. 

So while we are waiting this out, consider the benefits of nurturing your garden (it will nurture you) and adding a variety of plants to it that have health-giving and healing attributes, of which the two I have mentioned are well worth obtaining.
 
May we all stay as healthy as can be during this anxious time, exercise, meditate, nurture yourself, your family and make your garden a place to restore your well being. 

Lisa McKean,
Founder
MalibuFountains.com

Our Copper Fountain Featured in Camila Cabello Home Tour!

Nestled in a garden, deep in the English countryside, lives our cooper tree Weeping Willow fountain. A princess (aka actress / pop star) Camila Cabello is enjoying the dreamy verdant grounds of the house. In a recent “73 Questions” interview with Vogue, she likened the magical setting to Pandora from Avatar.

Among the many beautiful and special features of this original Elizabethan home, Camila loves the dreamy magical quality of our lifelike tree and flower fountains.

As Camila meanders through the garden, she comes upon the 2nd installation of the burbling music of our glass flower fountain. In the video interview with Vogue, you can watch Camila admire the fairy tale-like garden, while she stands in the exact spot where the glass flower fountains spout cheerfully into the koi pond.

Camila is calling the English countryside home while she works on the musical remake of Cinderella.

Camila Cabello’s UK Home Tour Features Malibu Fountains

As purveyors of these handcrafted custom fountains, we were thrilled to see them featured in Camila Cabella’s UK home tour. We are excited to see them featured in public spaces, homes, office buildings around the world.

About the Weeping Willow Fountain:

The Weeping Willow is a water feature, a sculpture, and fountain that takes one's breath away. Huge and realistic, shimmering copper leaves in abundance, this water fountain is a stunner. Lit from beneath at night, it is even more magical! A centerpiece within the garden or large indoor space it is a focal point that will give any setting a unique and artistic finishing touch. The Copper and Bronze of the leaves and trunk will have the years take on a most beautiful patina, aging as if were a real tree. Please see the weeping willow tree fountain photos below to observe the change in color over the years. The photos of this tree fountain were taken in an English garden and the bluish-green patina was acquired over the last five years.

About the Glass Flower Fountain:

A glass fountain that comes alive with the sound of water transforming into the most elegant focal point for any garden or patio setting.  Every outdoor room, patio or garden should have a water feature, a water fountain, or water sculpture to focus the eye and soothe the senses. Particularly important in Feng Shui, adding a water fountain on the patio, will bring good Chi energy into the garden or home. Where the water feature is placed is very auspicious in Feng Shui in bringing harmony and prosperity.  Delicate hand blown glass flowers in multiple hues of blue,  adorn hand-cut copper stems. Every lily shaped bulb (8 in x 6 in)  is custom made and no two pieces are exactly alike. If you are looking for a pop of color to add to your front or backyard, this garden fountain will be the perfect eye-catching focal point in any outdoor setting.

If you are ready to incorporate a focal point that lends a magical enchanted feeling to your garden, patio, consider one of our many choices of copper tree and flower fountains!

Commercial Garden

If you are a business owner or in charge of an organization, your building space is of importance not only on the inside, but on the outside as well. If your business is largely an outdoor space, like a golf course or theme park, landscaping can have a huge effect on the experience of your customers and guests. Malibu Fountains offers high-quality custom water fountains perfect to use as focal points for landscaping projects of all sizes. Our soothing water features can guide your visitors, customers, or clients into a greater state of ease and relaxation. Elevate your space with the kind of atmosphere you can’t achieve with a store-bought stainless steel bird bath.

Types of Gardens for Your Business

There are several varieties of garden that are popular among commercial ventures. Any of these could improve the atmosphere of your commercial space. Perhaps your garden already falls into one, or more than one, of these categories. We have recommendations for which of our copper tree fountains may be suitable for gardens of each type.

Tropical garden: Climate need not be an insurmountable barrier to the goal of having a tropical oasis in your commercial space. Lush, tropical foliage can decorate your commercial space with a little careful cultivation. Thorough irrigation, dedication, and the correct fertilizer will yield beautiful results. However, all of these things cost money, and you may find that the outlay for a garden of this type is not worth the benefit. If it does, however, you will likely enjoy a great deal of attention and praise from individuals enjoying your tropical paradise. Our Grapevine Wall Fountain would be a suitable addition to this variety of garden.

Therapeutic garden: Hospitals and schools often plump for this kind of garden. Sensory gardens are one example of this type of garden. Interactive spaces intended for people to be among nature, these gardens require intricate planning and consideration for accessibility, but can do a great deal for people’s mental and spiritual welfare. We have many options in our range of fountains that would make suitable additions to a therapeutic garden. The Weeping Willow Tree Fountain and the Topanga Tree Fountain are both strong choices.

Water garden: Water features are a great way of bringing character to your green space. You can incorporate a greater variety of plant life, such as ornamental grasses, and offer a home for a more diverse range of fauna. Any of Malibu Fountains’ Copper Tree Fountains would make perfect centerpieces for gardens of this type, though in particular we recommend the Water Willow Tree Fountain, the Sweeping Maple Fountain, and the Oberon Tree Fountain as suitable for a water-themed garden.

Formal garden: These are the gardens that people likely think of first when they imagine a ‘commercial garden’. These bridge the gap between landscaping and architecture, and utilize considerable structure in order to shape the garden to your precise vision. Fountains from the Malibu Fountains range that we suggest for inclusion in a carefully designed formal garden include the Malibu Oak Tree and the Bellagio Garden Fountain.

Flower garden: While this garden is more straightforward than the others, it can present as well as any of the others on its best day, so long as care is taken with the kind and color of flowers used. You should consider the amount of care each plant needs, and when they bloom, not to mention how they will look in the garden next to each other. Flower gardens typically need a lot of sun and rich soil to flourish. Fitting fountain choices for a flower garden include the Tree of Wisdom and the Orange Copper Tree Fountain.

Commercial Fountains

Fountains in commercial gardens can do a lot to make people feel more engaged with their surroundings and companions. Commercial gardens often offer sensory garden experiences for their guests. Creating a sensory garden is an opportunity to stimulate the senses of visitors in ways and combinations they may not usually encounter. These spaces will offer features intended to provide sensory experiences for the sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Examples include scented or edible plants, braille, audio induction loop descriptions, sculptures or sculpted handrails, textured touchpads, wind chimes, or water features. Free-standing or wall fountains for sensory gardens are typically intended to make sound and create a particular feeling with how they interact with visitors’ skin. Malibu Fountains offers high quality custom water fountains suitable for use in sensory gardens.

Custom Tree Fountains for Commercial Spaces

Malibu Fountains offers a range of indoor and outdoor fountains, perfect water features for a sensory garden. Our range of copper tree fountains are excellent for creating an atmosphere of pleasant rain, as water droplets cascade from leaf to leaf. For example, our Malibu Oak Tree fountain, which stands 8.5ft tall, would be perfect ‘growing’ out of a custom water feature such as a shallow pool. Alternatively, our Copper Fruit Tree Fountain (6.5ft) can be customized with porcelain fruits and vegetables such as oranges, pomegranates, or apples. It would be a valuable addition to a commercial garden designed to evoke a Mediterranean climate.

Malibu Fountains also offers a second line of fountains inspired by nature. Our exquisite, custom-designed glass flower fountains are hand-blown, and offer a delightful spray of color. The lily bulbs adorn hand-cut copper stems, and spray water from a pump included in the cost. Our standard design comes with seven flowers, and we can accommodate requests for larger displays.

Malibu Fountains’ Artisanal Fountains and Water Features

Water features have been Malibu Fountains’ artisanal water fountains are handcrafted and expertly designed to convey the splendor of nature at its most serene and elegant. Our award-winning designs are internationally displayed and acclaimed, from London to Shanghai. To convey the right tone for your commercial garden, invest in a Malibu Fountain. Feel free to call us on (424) 781-7698 to enquire further about how we can help you enrich your garden space.

1 Year Anniversary of The Woolsey Fire in Malibu

November 8, 2019

It’s been one year since devastation was wrought upon our community, homes and land by the Woolsey Fire.

The owners of Malibu Fountains, Lisa and Mike McKean shared,” as we grappled with our loss, we felt a strong desire to give Malibu a gift of love. An Oak Tree fountain from our company has just been installed in the Park at Cross Creek in the heart of Malibu.”

We are so happy we were able to fulfill our wish to give back to our wonderful and resilient community!

Fountains for Wineries and Vineyards

If California were its own country, it would be the fourth largest wine producer in the world (after Italy, France, and Spain, naturally). As many as nine in ten bottles of American wine are produced in the Golden State. The Mediterranean-esque climate with coastal weather patterns to file the edges off extremes of temperature lends itself beautifully to growing produce of all kinds. In particular, the preponderance of elevated terrain offers many opportunities to plant vineyards. The 18th century Spanish missions all planted vines for use in religious sacraments (as well as recreational use), establishing a robust wine-growing culture that endured the transition from Spanish rule to Mexican, to absorption into the United States, and even Prohibition. Having recovered from the industry’s near destruction in the 20s, the vintners of California have gone from strength to strength. Today there are over 1,200 wineries in the state, from small boutique wineries to corporate operations with international distribution. In a state that already attracts $132 billion in tourism, California’s wine country is a significant tourist attraction in itself, particularly the wineries of Napa and Sonoma Counties, near San Francisco. With this in mind, many winery owners put particular effort into the aesthetics of their establishment. Fountains for wineries and vineyards are a great way of improving the presentation of your business and establishing your brand.

Best Designed Wineries in Napa

There are numerous Napa Valley wineries that have put significant effort into creating not just excellent wine, but an exceptional experience for all the senses. After all, if a visitor is on a terrace overlooking an exceptional vineyard accompanied by tasteful, charming adornments and landscaping during their wine tasting experience, aren’t they much likelier to enjoy what they’re drinking? Much likelier to take a case home, in order to relive that exquisite experience and share it with their family and friends?

One such example is St. Helena’s Robert Mondavi Winery. This charming winery offers guided tours of the Mission-style premises and grounds in the embrace of the Mayacamas mountains. On your approach, along the olive tree-lined lane, you are likely to spy the striking, circular 10-jet fountain at the road’s end before the entryway itself. This water feature makes a dramatic addition to the view of the lush vineyards possible through the winery’s archway. The half-moon entryway also features a seven-foot sculpture of the winery’s founder and California Hall of Fame member, Robert Mondavi. 

Another beautiful winery with a California Hall of Fame proprietor is the Inglenook Vineyard (formerly the Neibaum-Coppola Winery), owned by legendary director Francis Ford Coppola and family. After restoring the historic 19th century winery and Château to glory, the Coppola family oversaw the landscaping of the grounds, including pergolas, verdant trees, delightful fountains, and 1,700 acres of vines. The courtyard features a two-tiered reflection pool with six water jets, while the historic courtyard centerpiece has been resituated on the upper terrace, where it can add a refreshing element to wine and cheese tastings. There are also tastings available in the winery’s private caves.

A particularly noteworthy and unique fountain can be found at Peju Province. The winery’s Peju Tower is bounded by an expansive moat which features several jets in geometric pools, creating a fairytale-like ambiance while you enter the Tower for your tasting. These are just a few examples of fountains in Napa Valley and beyond making wineries and vineyards more pleasant and distinguished.

Make Your Winery One of the Most Beautiful Wineries in the State

Your winery can shine as brightly as the other businesses mentioned. The beautiful, handcrafted copper fountains of Malibu Fountains add an elegance and tranquility to any garden, courtyard, or tasting room lobby. Our fountains depict a variety of trees, the painstakingly cut by hand copper leaves providing a charming and shifting spectacle as the water patters against them and into the basin or pond below. We have water willows, Japanese maples, and oaks, but of especial interest to wineries and vineyards is the Grapevine Wall Fountain.

Grapevine Wall Fountain

Perfect for those who love vines and their fruit, handcut copper grape leaves spring from slender copper vine tendrils, providing a euphonious sound as water trickles from the leaves onto a wall, fence, or arbor that the fountain adorns. Easily accommodated on a terrace or balcony wall, this six foot sculpture adds an indisputable sophistication to any setting it graces. Best of all, over time the fountain will grow yet more striking as it ages and patinas, developing hues of green and turquoise blue. Your Malibu fountain can be shipped to Napa County or Sonoma County easily. We are able to ship anywhere in the world. Our fountains should be easy to install, but you can also hire a professional to expedite installation.

Beautiful Fountains, Great Wine!

Making a superlative winery experience for your visitors can cost tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars. The aerial tram at Sterling Vineyards, the painstaking refitting and landscaping of Chateau Montelena Winery, featuring its beautiful Chinese gardens and Jade Lake, the stunning architecture of Domaine Carneros’ château— your enterprise can be included in such esteemed company as these, with the correct investment. Improve your image and reputation among wine aficionados both in- and out-of-state, and reap the rewards of distinguishing yourself from the pack. Malibu Fountains can help you along the way with our marvelous naturally-inspired fountain sculptures.

Questions about Our Fountains

If you want to know more about our fountain sculptures, we can happily expand on the details. If your question isn’t answered here, try our website or contact us. 

Q: What size fountains do you offer?

A: Our Copper Tree Fountains come in many sizes and they can be customized to fit your requirements, if you desire. Our smallest models are the Japanese Maple Copper Tree Fountain (40 inches tall and 34 inches wide) and the Water Willow Copper Tree Fountain (4 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide), both of which are well suited for courtyards, patios, or more confined gardens. Our Tree of Wisdom Copper Fountain (16.5 feet tall and 9 feet 10 inches wide) and Weeping Willow Copper Tree Fountain (12 feet 4 inches tall and 7 feet 10 inches wide) are among the largest varieties we sell. These fountains require a correspondingly grander space to achieve their aesthetic potential.

Q: Are your fountains acclaimed?

A: We certainly think the world of them! But yes, they have been exhibited internationally, including in Las Vegas, Shanghai, Singapore, and Doha. They have also received awards at London’s Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. We’re confident that, if properly installed, our fountains will similarly wow your wine tasting patrons.

Q: Are your fountains winter-proof?

A: For the kind of mild winters commonly experienced in Napa and Sonoma Counties, there is little to be concerned about regarding our Copper Tree Fountains. If you are concerned about the temperatures dipping temporarily below freezing, or a cold snap is coming on, you should fill the fountain’s reservoir with water and keep the fountain running. The flow of water should ensure that the reservoir cannot freeze deep enough to affect the pump mechanism. If you are purchasing the fountain for a location in a colder clime, where temperatures drop below freezing for a week at a time or longer, protection is best ensured by disconnecting the pump, draining the majority of the water from the reservoir, then keeping the pump indoors until the season changes.

Patio Fountains & Design Ideas

What makes a patio fountain suitable for your garden? Ultimately, a well-chosen water feature will not only conjure calm but tie together the entire landscape. People select an outdoor fountain with the hope of their back yard becoming one of their favorite places. Certainly, an outdoor space can be as important as an indoor space, in the right property and with the correct kind of care. Malibu Fountains, designer of exquisite patio fountains in copper and glass, has special insight into the process of selecting the perfect fountain for your patio.

What Should I Consider When Buying an PATIO Water Fountain?

There are multiple factors to bear in mind when you’re selecting the perfect fountain for your patio. The space is one factor. A large open garden patio invites a similarly large fountain. A more compact area lends itself to a more modest design. Do you want a freestanding piece, or does the space lend itself to something more compact, like a grapevine wall fountain or a tabletop model? What substance do you want your fountain to be made from? Cast stone? Copper? Or are you interested in a glass fountain?

• Cast stone: highly durable and lighter than granite, stone offers a diverse range of options for designs

• Copper: elegant and colorful, copper fountain creations create a warm look and serve as a strong, eye-catching centerpiece

• Metal: a modern appearance, most metal fountains are highly durable, even against the elements

• Fiberglass/resin: these combine the appearance of heavy metals or stone with a lightweight frame that lends itself to moving it around at a later date.

• Bamboo: the natural appearance this material confers can be damaged by prolonged contact with moisture— make sure it’s well varnished!

Red Lily Glass & Copper Tree Fountain

Popular PATIO Fountain CHoices

There are many types of fountains that are commanding interest at the moment. Tiered fountains, common in Mediterranean gardens, courtyards, and plazas for decades, offer a classic aesthetic. Wall fountains, abutting or hanging on an existing wall, add texture and cohesion to your landscape features. Disappearing fountains, with their hidden reservoirs, are often advantageous in smaller spaces, as a lot of their workings are housed underground. Glass floor fountains are popular for lobbies and spas, but do not often lend themselves to use on anything but the most sheltered of patios: an indoor, not outdoor fashion. The soothing sound of a waterfall fountain brings a peerless kind of serenity to many, and frequently see use as the focal point of a garden. Some fountains, like bird baths, can serve dual functions, being both a charming piece of decor, and a lure for birds to flutter and sing in your garden, adding to the aura of serenity cultivated by your garden.

Our copper tree fountains garner much interest, from the prestigious Bellagio Hotel Garden in Las Vegas to private courtyards. Even minimalist landscape designs for smaller spaces such as a patio, you can have a copper tree fountain all year round, symbolizing nature in its most simple form. Add a touch of nature to any exscape design without it becoming too fussy or requiring much maintenance.

Fountain Installation and Maintenance

When you are contemplating which fountain is best for your setup, you should consider the crucial step of installing it in the first place. That fairy waterfall fountain with LED lighting may seem appealing in the store, but if it’s going to require you to dig up five yards of decking in order to route it to the mains electricity, you might ponder how essential it is. Perhaps you can achieve a similar effect with solar power, or even batteries.

Larger fountains should not be placed on unstable grounding such as loose soil or mulched beds. Patio stones, hard packed fine gravel, or even sand are much more stable. After you have positioned the pump in the fountain’s basin or bowl, fill it with water. Many fountains will malfunction if the pump is running dry.

Maintenance is something you should take the lead of the fountain manufacturers on. It’s important to keep your fountain filled to the correct level and regularly treat the water to deter the formation of algae. Corrosive household cleaners, and chemicals intended for cleaning or treating swimming pools or spas, are not recommended for garden water features. They are bad for the natural environment of your garden, and can damage the finish of your fountain itself. Chlorine bleach, in particular, is hazardous to the pump mechanism and finish. If your climate promotes the growth of scale or mold, use a fountain water treatment to prevent its growth. In areas with extreme drops in temperature, it is vital to drain the water from any outdoor fountain mechanisms. It can be beneficial to disconnect and store indoors pumps, hoses, and other operating apparatus. It may also be worth putting a fountain cover over the body of the fountain so as to prevent the frost from having negative effects on the mechanisms or even the material of the fountain itself. It is a bad idea to allow water to collect and freeze in fountain basins or bowls. To protect them from freezing temperatures, consider filling them with burlap bags, hay, or other material.

Fountain Cleaning Protocol

As well as treating the water, you should clean the fountain periodically to prevent the accumulation of dirt and debris. Keeping your fountain clean does not have to be a heavy-duty affair, if done regularly. So long as your fountain is hand-cleaned with a soft brush and dish soap every week or two, the basin washed, rinsed, and refilled, you shouldn’t have anything else to worry about. Be sure that you remove leaves and debris from the hose, filter, and pumps while you are draining the basin. Particularly with stone and bamboo constructions, though, you may find that leaving grime on the surface of the fountain too long will allow it to bed in, damaging the surface and making it much harder to effectively clean. The pump (or filter) of the fountain may require a little more care. Typically it is necessary to unplug and disconnect the machinery in order to give it a thorough cleaning. However, not all pumps require this kind of attention at all, and the ones that do will generally come with instructions on how to clean them in a safe and efficient way that won’t harm the mechanism itself. Especially when considering the cost of the average water feature, it’s only good sense to commit to maintenance, whether it’s mechanical in nature or simple cleaning. Wondering how to clean your fountain without chemicals? Finally, don’t miss our tips for cleaning your outdoor fountain without chemicals.

Common PATIO Fountain Problems and Fixes

Many fountains on the market experience problems such as these, but the fixes are typically straightforward.

• If your fountain is splashing too much, you may need to alter the amount of water flow. Try adjusting the pump intake-control valve.

• If you’re struggling with the flow of water in your fountain, make sure that the pump is fully submerged in the water. The bottom basin needs to be full of water. Adjust the flow of the valve to get your desired water flow.

• If your pump is too noisy, it might be because it’s not fully submerged in the water. If this is not the issue, check that the pump isn’t vibrating against the basin’s side or bottom in some way. Lastly, make sure that the connections are secured so that air cannot escape and make noise.
  

Topanga Tree Fountain

Sweeping Maple PATIO Fountain

Another excellent choice for a smaller patio or yard is Malibu Fountains’ Sweeping Maple Copper Tree Branch Fountain. A compact 3’ tall, 3’8’’ wide and 5’ long, the trunk of this fountain sweeps down as if to lean into a stream. It is designed to protrude from a pond or other static water feature, but can also be grounded in a cobblestone or pebble bed, allowing the water to flow through into an underground reservoir. The ruddy, flat maple leaves glisten and glint in the light as water trickles over them, providing an eye-catching and aesthetically-pleasing effect to accompany the sound of water.

Topanga Tree PATIO Fountain

One fountain that Malibu Fountains produces that is suitable for smaller patio spaces is the Topanga Tree Fountain. This is one of Malibu Fountains’ more compact copper fountains, standing 5’4’’ and weighing a total of 142lbs (including base). The copper branches and leaves will age and grow more striking in color over time. Have no fear— this fountain is crafted to endure for many decades. The sprinkling of water over the leaves is a highly relaxing noise and sight. The fountain comes with a 1500gph pump.

Choose a Malibu Fountain for Your Patio Decoration

Malibu Fountains are proud to design and supply exceptional copper and glass water features. The relaxing water walls and intricately-sculpted leaf work of our copper tree fountains provide a unique interpretation of a waterfall fountain that will make your patio or garden stand out and create a striking connection with the natural beauty of your environment. Our delicate, colorful, and charming glass flower fountains provide elegance and wonder. Our award-winning fountains have been lauded by London’s Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows, as well as being exhibited in Las Vegas, Singapore, Shanghai, and Doha. If you’re interested in adding one of our fountains to your garden or patio, you can contact us on (424) 781-7698. We look forward to hearing from you.

Creating a Tranquility Garden

Creating a tranquility garden is a very special and personal endeavor. It doesn’t matter how large or small the space is, it is all about bringing your senses alive to nature's elemental beauty, seen and unseen. The plants chosen to populate the landscape or corner of your patio, should be chosen for fragrance that will lift the spirit. Roses, jasmine, honeysuckle, lemon balm, rosemary, all scent the air beautifully. Choose trees that provide shade, to sit beneath and meditate. A pine tree, if included, provides a lovely rushing sound through its needles. Poplar trees love to shimmer and shake their leaves and also produce a rushing sound through their branches. Make sure to add flowers of color and interest. Perennial flowers will come into bloom year after year, so make sure you have those. Herbs and annual flowers which you can change out in the spring are also a prudent choice. With annuals, if one year an all-white flowering garden scheme is your choice, it is easy to create it instantly. Your garden represents your own artistic vision for what you seek to sensorily construct in the experience of all who sit within it.

Where Zen Gardens Come From

An authentic Zen garden is a meditation tool invented by Zen Buddhist monks in the 14th-16th centuries. Rather than offering perfect representations of nature, they were intended to imitate its essence. This is why monks would rake the sand of such gardens, in order to evoke the concept of water ripples. However, gravel was generally more popular, as it was less susceptible to disruption by wind and rain. Compositions of stone became popular in order to allow the mind to focus on the concepts the garden would evoke. Different arrangements would signify mountains, water features such as rivers and waterfalls, and islands. Moss would commonly signify forested land. A Zen garden is meant to be observed from a single viewpoint outside the garden, such as a porch. Tranquility gardens are in many ways inspired by traditions of Zen gardens. However, unlike Zen gardens, tranquility gardens are less abstract and more temporal. That said, they can still serve to focus the mind on reflection and meditation. Tranquility gardens are also typically intended to be experienced from within the garden itself, rather than removed from it.

Zen Garden Design Ideas and Tips

Now that the backdrop is in place, think about a focal point within the garden. Water features, and especially Malibu Fountains’ copper tree fountains, fit into this type of Zen garden. A fountain can be a simple granite stone with water burbling out.  With our copper tree fountains, such as our classic Japanese Maple Fountain, the cascading droplets evoke raindrops falling from tree branches in a woodland or forest, a timelessly beautiful sound. Nothing soothes and calms the spirit like water. Perhaps it is because this is where we originated from. As we listen to the breeze in the pines, and hear the sound of life through the tinkling of water, we can add to this composition a feature to delight the eye: a kinetic wind sculpture. There are so many types these days that will turn and dance on the slightest breeze, bringing wonderful chi energy into your tranquility or Zen garden.

Accessorizing Your Tranquility Garden

Of course, in order to actually enjoy your garden, you’ll need to make sure your garden includes a comfortable space to experience it from. A hammock is an interesting potential choice: an excellent way to enjoy the serenity of your outdoor space while the gentle movement lulls you to sleep. Alternatively, a plush lounge chair is very inviting for those who enjoy a relaxing place to lose themselves in a good book. The upholstery of your garden furniture may have to depend on whether you live in a wet or dry landscape. Seating walls make great aesthetic additions to a garden and are winning popularity because of how comparatively easy it is to build your own. However, they run into problems of comfort— most lack any back support, meaning they don’t lend themselves to long periods of contemplation. Seating can be made more comfortable by adding shade. A vine-covered pergola can make a great aesthetic inclusion to a garden. A more simple solution could be a patio umbrella.

Once you’ve settled on your seating, finishing touches are in order. Fire pits, small stone formations, strings of lights to imitate stars, whatever you feel will round off the elemental aspect of your garden most effectively. If you are the type of person that finds birdsong to be relaxing, you can encourage the population of your garden with songbirds by stocking a bird feeder with a high-quality birdseed mix. Make sure to place it in an area where vermin will be less able to access it. Other options for another aural element to your garden include bamboo wind chimes.

Tranquility Garden Motifs

A tranquility garden encompasses all the natural elements. The wind as it sweeps in over the curve of the land, turning the kinetic wind sculptures silently and soothingly. The sunlight bearing down through the trees. The sound of the water cascading through many miniature streams, and from the water features themselves. Nature’s unseen powers conspire to delight and mesmerize its onlookers, whether it’s through wind sculptures or the music of babbling brooks and trickling fountains. A tree fountain is a natural focal point for this peaceful setting which calms the senses. Be mindful of the seasons when creating your tranquility gardens. The bones of the garden should be built with evergreen shrubs, and trees that feature colorful, interesting bark on their trunks will make good texture throughout the year. Color can be augmented through the cultivation of perennial flowers and annuals. Japanese garden design can be a ready source of inspiration, with rock gardens and raked gravel offering low-maintenance but high-impact additions to your space. Japanese forest grass and moss can create subtle but aesthetically striking distinctions in height and texture. Even if you live in a dry area, like Southern California, there are desert mosses that thrive on little water. Other elements that can play with verticality include flowering vines and draping or ‘weeping’ plants.

Tranquility Gardens from the Malibu Fountains Family

One of our customers in New York has shared his tranquility garden with us here at Malibu Fountains. He chose two of our fountains to reside in his special garden. One more is now being commissioned to join the other two. It could be the unique sound of our outdoor fountains and their fine craftsmanship that prompted him to come back for more of our custom-made fountains. In summary, a tranquility garden is a place to create a natural space and refuge. One that should inspire all your senses— sight, smell, touch and sound. Peruse the internet for ideas, using the terms ‘Zen garden’, ‘sensory garden’, or ‘tranquility garden’. Look up ‘copper tree fountains’ or ‘unique fountains’ for spectacular water features. For visually pleasing wind ornaments, look up ‘kinetic wind sculptures’, ‘wind dancers’, and ‘wind spinners’. 

May your very own tranquility garden bring you peace and happiness. To discover more about how you can obtain one of Malibu Fountains’ hand-crafted copper tree fountains for your tranquility garden, you can call us on (424) 781-7698. Let’s work together to make a tranquility garden that speaks to you like no other could.

How To Clean Your Outdoor Fountain Without Chemicals

A copper decorative fountain, a calming water element in your garden or front yard, requires regular maintenance to keep the good energy -- and the clear water -- flowing. In the Asian art of feng shui, water channels wealth and good fortune.  The combination of elements in a copper fountain symbolizes abundance, calm and focus. A fountain that's clogged, dingy, overgrown with white scale or algae blocks chi.

Available in a wide range of sizes and designs, outdoor copper water fountains use submersible water pumps to constantly circulate the water in the fountain, preventing algae buildup and stagnation. Clean your water fountain regularly -- this will keep your fountain beautiful on the outside, like the piece of art it is designed to be!

Pump Cleaning Tips for Outdoor Fountains

Is the water in your outdoor fountain turning green? It may be time to check your pump and remove any algae buildup and debris. For more information about pumps, we recommend this comprehensive guide to pond pumps.

Good news, there is an easy, inexpensive solution for you. This chemical-free fountain cleaning method is recommended by Melissa J Will and can be applied to our copper tree fountains. 

The crucial ingredient in this pump cleaning method is polyester quilt batting. It is very important that you use polyester and NOT COTTON. The quilt batting comes in flat sheets that are the size of a bed cover. Unlike not loose stuffing, it comes in one big piece, often rolled up in a bag. The quilt batting is usually used to create quilts and make comforters poofy on the inside. This polyester material will be used as a filter for the water as it will clean all of the muck that is making your water green. You can find the quilt batting here. 

Make your water fountain last with proper maintenance and upkeep. Continue reading..

However, the unique aspect of a Malibu Fountain is that we supply our own custom-made fine-mesh stainless steel pump sleeves, which should eliminate the need for this elaborate construction of a pump protector. This is included with your fountain purchase at no additional cost. We want you to enjoy your fountain with minimal inconvenience!

TotalPond.com Pond Cleaner Tablets is our product of choice when it comes to simplifying fountain maintenance.

How do they ensure these tablets are non-toxic, safe for fish, birds, and plants?

Pond Cleaner Tablets contain a blend of beneficial bacteria, enzymes, and natural barley that help promote a healthy aquatic environment. Now you can enjoy your fountain, as well as the wildlife will!

Landscape Vision

Debbie Killian of Eugene, Oregon has built a home and incredible half-acre garden in an unused city lot. After investing a significant amount in the plot’s leveling and the installation of a beautiful koi pond, she turned her garden into a home for splendid metalwork. As well as a metal elephant fountain that stands nearly ten feet tall, she has a metal zebra peering down over the garden from over the waterfall.

However, the piece that unifies her home’s Victorian/Art Deco aesthetic and her garden’s more colorful, exotic tone is the Malibu Oracle Tree Fountain. This Malibu Fountains piece is perfect, in Killian’s eyes, because of the weathering that has occurred to the metal of the sculpture, transforming it from a shiny copper color to a beautiful deep red, with the leaves tinged teal around their edges. Killian has leaned into the appearance of her fountain and its elephantine counterpart, with landscape bulbs bathing them both in red light, while her trees are illuminated in green and the pond’s submersible lights glow green and blue. 

Killian’s garden has facilitated a change in her character. Friends have commented on how different she seems: more comfortable and relaxed. At Malibu Fountains, we are happy to have been an integral part of her garden design and that her landscaping project has brought her such happiness and serenity.

Giant Willow Tree Fountain At The Maine Beer Company

The Maine Beer Company installed the jaw-dropping Giant Willow Tree Fountain recently and by all accounts it has wowed and amazed customers coming in to enjoy the fine craft beer brewed on the premises! The tree fountain is handcrafted over many weeks of cutting, shaping, soldering and welding. It is truly a magnificent sight. Do stop by the Maine Beer Company if you are in the Freeport Maine area and see this one of a kind 16’ tree sculpture and water fountain.  Other commissions are being made for homes here in California and abroad. We are most excited to be creating a very special Oak Tree Fountain for the city of Malibu, commemorating the terrible fires that ravaged both our community and the surrounding mountains. More updates on that project soon!