"Private Gardens of Santa Barbara is an invitation into twenty-one distinctive private gardens: large estates, modest homes, and surf retreats run the gamut from sublime and naturalistic to bold and urban. What they have in common, however, is what makes them truly great. These gardens are a response to the unique character of each site, the existing architecture, and the larger environment; and adapted to the lifestyle, personality, and practical needs of the people who live there. Margie Grace, principal of Grace Design Gardens, is known for incorporating as many ecosystem services as the property will support such as living soils, pollinator services, animal habitats, and storm water retention. These gardens are designed with water-smart, maintenance-smart, and fire-smart priorities in mind, with high habitat value and plants native to the world's Mediterranean climates. A plants and materials list serves as a helpful resource, as readers take away ideas and inspiration for their own garden-making"--Provided by the publisher.