Old World Charm

Rose Societys garden tour steps into artists European influenced gardens

For 11 years, Bill and Sandra Jensen have welcomed guests to their San Clemente bed and breakfast, Garden Cottage at the Green, to take respite among their well-kept, European-inspired gardens.

Photos and story by Andrea Papagianis

Maria del Carmen Calvo steps into her canvas. Nestled along the Capistrano Beach bluffs, Calvos rich garden rooms provide an escape from the outside world, where the inside meets the out, creating a space straight from one of the artists oil paintings.

Walking the grounds Calvo stops to smell the roses. Its my sanctuary, Calvo says in the heavy Spanish accent she carries even after 50 years in California. She moves through the garden, passing through a line of olive treesa simple, gravel path shrouded by tall, neatly trimmed topiaries. Its one of the many ways her European heritage, and artistic style, shines through the rose-lined pathways and tall hedges.

Calvo and her husband, Walter Henry, have been building their home for 30 years. They started with a clean slate. All but one tree was removed when they moved into their Camino Capistrano-located home. Since, Calvo has cultivated an outdoor living space where tranquility reigns.

Roses billow from their branches, heavy and wide, encompassing cement walkways Calvo lay with intricate glass and tile designs. Fountains echo the gentle trickling of water. Around each corner, Calvos artistic sleight of hand peeks through with personal touches straight from an artists eye.

Situated just above her bathroom sink is a broken Lalique vase that Calvo united with the homes edifice. Now the crystal provides a surprise among the stucco and a simple backdrop to Calvos water liliesone of her much loved garden features to paint.

Its a happy place, Calvo said. It is a place for everyone to enjoy.

On Saturday, May 10, Calvo and Henry will open their home for all as the Rose Society of Saddleback Mountain hosts its annual south Orange County garden tour. Attendees of this years event, coined the Elegant and Enchanting Garden Tour, will have the chance to tour five home gardens highlighting floral displays, environmentally sound garden practices and garden architecture.

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Old World Charm