Welcome to the Digital Guide for the 16th Annual Open Garden Day in West Floral Park and Fisher Park
Experience West Floral Park and Fisher Park through our gardens and our hospitality. As you wander around the open gardens and down the streets, may the charm and beauty inspire you.
Quick Links:
- Welcome
- Map & Shuttle Stops
- Schedule
- Garden Descriptions - #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8
- Information Booths, Live Music and Art Display
- Vendors
- Food, Water and Restrooms
- Thank Yous
- Next Year
Welcome to our Gardens!
We invite you to wander through our eight lovely gardens, enjoy the Promenade with vendors, information booths, presentations, live music and more, and explore the beauty of our two neighborhoods.
We are excited to announce that Open Garden Day is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. A portion of the proceeds from this event go directly back into the neighborhoods, environmental education, and local charities.
If you are as addicted to social media as we are, please consider posting about us during your visit using the hashtag #OpenGardenDay. Don't forget to tag us as @WFPandJFPOpenGardenDay on Facebook or @OpenGardenDay on Instagram! We love having more followers.
EVENT MAP
Parking should be plentiful throughout our neighborhoods.
We encourage attendees to consider walking, as you may find little gems and photo-perfect vignettes between the featured gardens. The distance from Garden #1 to Garden #8 is approximately 2.2 miles long if walking over the footbridge between River Lane and Riviera Drive.
SHUTTLE
For your convenience, we have five shuttle stops strategically placed. Two shuttles are servicing these stops approximately every 20 minutes.
Transportation sponsored in part by: Sandy DeAngelis, Seven Gables Real Estate
Tap the map then zoom in to see more detail.
EVENT
SCHEDULE
Starting from 9:00 AM
Starting from 9:00 AM
from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Starting from 10:00 AM
from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Starting from 01:00 PM
Starting from 01:30 PM
Through 4:00 PM
Fun Facts about this Garden:
- We have a rescued squirrel that lives in our garden shed who is named Eddie.
- We have 42 Japanese Maples in our yard.
Welcome to our garden at 719 West Jonquil Road! Our home was built in 1951 in the Craftsman style, and after falling in love with Fisher Park and its beautiful tree-lined streets, we moved in August 2017. To our delight, both the front yard and back yard were relatively blank slates and we were excited to make them our own.
Our flower beds are an eclectic mix of plants– we enjoy mixing aloe, cacti, succulents, perennials, and annuals to attract bees, hummingbirds, and
butterflies, while being able to switch things up a bit every year. Hummingbirds enjoy the tubular flowers of the various aloe and salvia varieties, while bees frequent the poppies, lavender, and massive aeonium flowers.
Every spring, a burst of California wildflowers, most of which reseed and are self-sustaining, appear after warmer days and nights mingle with spring showers. The ample space in the backyard offers us the opportunity to create a truly dual-purpose garden. Being of cultures that are historically agriculturalist, creating a space to grow fruits and vegetables was crucial for us, as was designating space to entertain our friends and families. We grow numerous varieties of tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, herbs, citrus, pomegranates, greens, garlic, and whatever else we might fancy.
We’re proud to maintain everything ourselves and enjoy the therapeutic aspects of gardening.
Welcome to our 1947 built Ranch style home with its long front porch. We bought in 2017 when we moved from Park Santiago. The back yard had some nice elements, like the pool which was redone in 2010 from the original where Greg Louganis used to practice! At least that's the rumor.
Lounging on the Baja step is a favorite. We have reimagined the yard to include the unique tortoise habitat for our Desert and Russian tortoises. We tried to create a similar environment to their native surroundings. We have added several plants and three citrus trees: orange, grapefruit & tangerine. We love the Kangaroo paws which should be in bloom now and through the summer. We also added the slat wall to hide the pool equipment and display some art. We enjoy entertaining with the covered pergola and its comfy seating area around a re table. The outdoor fireplace next to the original pool house is a favorite spot to relax in the evening and watch the sunset. Our home wraps around the patio and back yard with many windows looking out. We love hosting our family and friends in this private and quiet paradise.
Our home is listed on the Historic Registry with a Mills Act tax benefit.
Fun Facts about this Garden:
- Our backyard was completely remodeled in 2019. We hired Ryan Martin as our landscape architect and Land Art as our Landscape Contractor.
- On the northside of our home is our garden where we're planting a variety of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, herbs and Indian vegetables.
- As a corner property, we're showcasing a variety of rose bushes primarily on the Santa Clara side. We work very closely with our gardener Salvador to add color and vibrancy to our surroundings.
This garden is a beautiful space that is packed with a variety of features for visitors to explore. The owners of the garden, the Mittendorfs, clearly have a deep passion for gardening.
Visitors enter the garden by walking up a brick path to an iron gate and fencing that was purchased during a road trip in El Paso. Just inside the gate is a cozy spot for an evening fire amidst some of their favorite Japanese maples, and the soothing sound of the pond’s waterfall. Further into the garden, visitors can walk around the garden shed, past the rabbit run to reach the backyard. Here they can enjoy the sounds of the new water feature filling up the dogs’ water bowl. The former bird aviary has been converted into a crafting studio for Karen; notice the colorful bird
wallpaper, which is a nod to the finches that lived there for many years.
Further into the garden, visitors can walk around the garden shed, past the rabbit run to reach the backyard. Here they can enjoy the sounds of the new water feature filling up the dogs’ water bowl. The former bird aviary has been converted into a crafting studio for Karen; notice the colorful bird wallpaper, which is a nod to the finches that lived there for many years. The Mittendorfs also love to host BBQ parties, enjoy cocktails with friends, and eat outdoors. Their raised bandstand next to the pond provides a different perspective of the backyard, and is a great place for socializing. The garden is designed with layered color and texture, includes California water-wise plants, seating areas, and water features that are carefully planned to create an enjoyable garden experience that invites visitors to take their time and explore.
Overall, the Mittendorfs’ garden is an adventure that is sure to delight any visitor.
My mid-century French Normandy style home was built in 1949. It has had only 3 owners in 74 years. Other than the addition of a sunroom in the back, the house is essentially the same as it as conceived in 1949.
The large 6000 square foot yard is predominantly grass with planting beds around the perimeter. In 2017 ResCom Landscaping redesigned the backyard, breaking it up into different sections, retaining only the beautiful Japanese magnolia and the coral tree. Three crepe myrtle trees were added at that time and they bloom a beautiful red in summer. I now have a reading area under the umbrella, a built-in BBQ, and a jacuzzi spa from which to relax and enjoy the surroundings. The patio cover was redesigned in 2020 after the original collapsed in a rainstorm.
With regular irrigation and fertilizing, the old orange tree behind the garage has come to life, bearing an abundance of delicious fruit. The raised bed with built in irrigation gets replanted seasonally. The beds encircling the lawn all have underground irrigation and are a mix of regular and drought tolerant plants chosen for their mix of colors. My love of succulents is evident in all the potted arrangements throughout the yard.
I’m thankful that I found this beautiful neighborhood in which to live, where neighbors are helpful, friendly, and civic minded.
Fun Facts about this Garden:
- The home was built in 1950. We are only the third owners.
- The Ficus trees have really interesting above ground roots.
- The original owners had a swimming pool. Ron and Lisa, the second owners, took it out. We put one back in.
- The pool has a waterfall that comes out under the lip of the picnic bench pad.
- There is a time capsule tribute to Linda’s parents under the picnic table pad. It contains a letter, toothpicks, and Tic Tac® mints. Ask us why. ☺️
Fun Facts about this Garden:
- Our yard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat.
- There are 22 decorative animals and 4 gnomes that live in our yard. Can you spot them all?
- There are over 30 varieties of edible plants in our garden.
Step into a world of enchantment as you explore the beautiful gardens of 2123 Freeman Street, a 1957 mid-century modern gem of West Floral Park and an official historic landmark. Be greeted by the cool canopy of a majestic live oak tree and enter the 3 gardens that boast a stunning display of meandering zen pathways, drought-resistant flora, and sweet citrus trees. Follow the trail to the brick-laid side patio, perfect for entertaining guests with effortless indoor-outdoor living. As you make your way to the back garden, you'll be mesmerized by the carefully curated selection of plants and flowers creating a symphony of colors and movement to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Let's not forget the 60-year-old orange tree that offers a refreshing escape from the California heat and still bears the most delicious fruit.
These serene gardens enhance the mid-century modern masterpiece designed by Donald Honer, the son of Floral Park's original developer, Allison Honer. With Frank Lloyd Wright's influences, the home features floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the interior with natural light, bringing in the beauty of the surrounding gardens.
This 1958 Mid-Century Ranch custom was built for Rupert MacArthur and daughter Ines by Jack A. Eisen, son of famous Los Angeles Architect, Percy A. Eisen. Set on the quietest street in all of West Floral Park, and lined with mature California live oak trees, it is one of many reasons why we call it our casita (little house).
Home to mature blue glows, an array of low water succulents and cacti, cloud trees, foxtail ferns, Australian brush cherry hedge, and a Hass avocado tree that was planted by Ines shortly after the house was completed. The garden was built for low maintenance and is able to host fiestas where friends and family can gather outdoors comfortably.
As you walk towards the backyard, your eyes will immediately turn towards the large wooden deck with a natural gas firepit and custom-built BBQ island with a bright colored sail shade providing much needed shade from the lovely California sun. As you walk towards the back of the yard, behind the garage, you will discover a shed that was converted to a dream office space that has all the right amenities to keep anyone from ever wanting to return ‘back to work’. The newly converted shed has vaulted ceilings, dual skylights, split AC system, and windows that overlook the beautiful garden. We can now enjoy our backyard year-round, even while at work.
Welcome to our garden! It is our sanctuary, a place to swim, entertain, garden and read. There are dedicated spaces for each of these activities. In 2021 we removed everything but the pool, providing a blank slate for design options. Our friend and neighbor, Jim Mittendorf, took our vision and created the design that you see today. This outdoor room now complements the mid-century modern architecture of the house and becomes an extension of the interior. The plants are primarily drought tolerant and the hardscape is set on sand allowing water to drain into the soil. The three raised seating planters help define the outdoor dining area. We added the Italian Cypress trees along the rear wall to create a formal backdrop for our outdoor room. The assemblage of potted Yuccas, Compactum, Dusty Miller, Lomandra, Sea Lavender and large pebbles were added to help merge the pool into the landscape. Apricot, Meyer Lemon, and Kumquat trees were added for their beauty and bounty. The north wall is carpeted with Creeping Fig and the garage wall showcases a Camellia flanked by two Green Screens covered with Madagascar Jasmine. Our raised beds are eco-friendly and a perfect height for tending our tomatoes and herbs. The soothing fountain adds formality to the garden and is a draw for thirsty birds and dogs. A climbing Eden Rose helps shield the driveway and completes the room.
We fell in love with this mid-century home and bought it in 2014. It had great bones but needed a lot of work, including both the front and back yards. We envisioned the backyard as an extension of Santiago Creek and the bird sanctuary that runs along our back fence. We enjoy looking out at the lush tree canopy that runs the length of the property because it provides a sense of calm in a sea of traffic and built-out city life. We redesigned the pool and deck to better match the mid-century modern architecture of our home. The existing covered patio and deck is right off our kitchen and is a great place to relax on a sunny day. Our home was built in 1969 for Don Christenson and his family. At the time it was a very modern and swanky home. We have tried to make careful renovations that complement the original style, including the landscaping. We planted many trees along the back but we also enjoy the rose garden that is mixed with some drought tolerant plants. We have kids, so we kept the lawn in the back. In the front, we have walls that provide privacy to an entry court, and the layers of planting that lay between the street and home make for a gracious approach.
Fun Fact about this Garden:
- Shiso is hard to grow.
Our ranch style home was built in 1954. Over the last 18 years that we have lived here, we have modified the landscape to be more water efficient, using smart irrigation technology and efficient sprinklers. To save water, lawns were decreased by 50%. Additionally, we incorporated drought tolerant plans and paid more attention to how plants are grouped and displayed. Approximately 85% of all trees and plants were salvaged from landscapes that were being removed or modified from other locations. Stones used for pathways in the backyard, as well as the concrete picnic table, were salvaged from the Marine Corps Helicopter Station closure in Tustin.
Maddie, Coby, and Janie, our three dogs, enjoy the yard as much as we do as well as all of the other foster dogs we care for periodically. Walking them every day has been a wonderful way to get to know our neighbors over the years. We have to admit we are four time foster failures since we can’t bear to let them leave once we fall in love with them. We also enjoy the return of the Western Blue Bird each year and have made some nest boxes for them. We love growing and eating edibles from the garden such as avocados, tomatoes, lemons, Navel oranges, apples, grapes, cherries, kumquats, loquats, and apriums. Blueberries, blackberries, and lettuce are grown in containers and in the ground. We don't even mind sharing the fruit with the birds and other wildlife we all know and love.
Fun Fact about this Garden:
- A large field where our dogs can chase each other
We moved from Irvine in 2015 and drove around this area to shop for a new home and were amazed at all the different types of houses, each with its own unique style and character. We found our English Tudor house and immediately fell in love with its classic style and charm. It was built in 1928 as a wedding gift for Mrs. Roehm who lived here for 71 years. We love our home and the entire neighborhood, and also our many wonderful neighbors.
Our backyard was another reason we knew we had found a new home. The backyard is a huge space and was fairly plain when we first moved in. There’s an expansive lawn and towering over everything is a giant Chinese elm tree. It’s large enough to feel like a dog park which it actually is for our two dogs: Mika and Mona, our new puppy. We love watching them run and play.
There is also a beautiful patio with a cozy living space to watch TV with family and friends.
We enjoy growing vegetables in our garden and have many types, from tomatoes and peppers to several types of vegetables from Japan. We are especially proud that we are able to grow so many things in rich California soil in an area with a long history of farming. We also ordered a cedar wood shed from Canada that we built with our sons. It looks like a log cabin, and along with the fire pit makes our yard almost feel like a vacation area for us.
Welcome to our home.
INFORMATION BOOTHS, MUSIC & ART DISPLAY
All information booths and other displays, except for the complimentary water, are located at The Promenade on North Westwood Avenue (between West Santa Clara Avenue and West Riviera Drive).
UCCE Master Gardeners of Orange County
9 am to 4 pm
Stop by the UCCE Master Gardeners of Orange County booth to learn about home horticulture, sustainable landscape practices and pest management - including new pests that are threatening trees in Orange County.
California Department of Fish & Wildlife
9 am to 4 pm
The CDFA manages California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.
City of Santa Ana Water Resources
9 am to 4 pm
Santa Ana is proud of their award-winning drinking water. In addition to providing this award-winning drinking water, they also provide resources such as water conservation for residents and garden tips/information.
Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District
9 am to 4 pm
The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District is dedicated to protecting public health by controlling rats, flies, mosquitoes, Red Imported Fire Ants and other vector related problems.
Sea and Sage Audubon Society
9 am to 4 pm
Sea and Sage Audubon Society’s mission is to protect birds, other wildlife, and their habitats through education, citizen science, research, and public policy advocacy.
Live Music by GaryTurnerJazz
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Organ Trio that plays Classic Jazz and American Songbook tunes
The Birdhouse Project
9 am to 4 pm
Local artists have creatively painted 25 birdhouses which will be displayed and auctioned off to the highest bidder; bids starting at $25 each.
The bidding will be held from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm and all proceeds
will go directly to our local Santiago Elementary School for their
garden program. Donations are tax deductible.
Thank you to our generous birdhouse sponsor:
Phil Schaefer, Seven Gables Real Estate
VENDORS
All vendors are located at The Promenade on North Westwood Avenue (between West Santa Clara Avenue and West Riviera Drive) and available from 9 am until 4 pm.
Concern America
Wooden Products, Ceramics, Textiles
Galaxy Toffee
Toffees, Apple Pie, Cinnamon Crumb Cake, Cookies and Hawaiian Furikake Chex Mix
Amorviejo Art
Garden Art, Rocks Chains, Art Boxes
Keith Hall
House Portraits, Notecards
One Song
Vintage Jewelry
Karen Nan Varela
Fused Glass Sun Catchers, Chimes and Jewelry
Rain Barrels Intl, Inc.
Rain Barrels
Gloria Chavez
Garden Decorations
Sharon Penttila
Succulent Containers, Pebble Art, Wire Trees
Jeanette Farr Designs
Garden Jewelry
Bart Beach Designs
Turned Wooden Bowls, Boxes, Puzzles from Recycled Trees
Leaf Filter
Gutter Protection
Yarian Designs
Stained Glass Hummingbird Feeders, Window Chimes, Jewelry
Passport, Please
Mercado Bags, Silk Tunics, Bindu Art Prints
Hal Briscoe
Oil Paintings
Tim & Tiffany Miller
Planter Boxes, Garden Decor, Plants
David Brien Lantry
Handmade Jewelry
Tiny Window Glass
Modern Glass Garden Art
Gorilla Easy Connect
Quick Connects, Garden Tools, Gloves
St. Brown & Company
Candles
Susan McKeehan
Colorful Mosaic-Adorned Rocks, Painted Stones, Walking Sticks
Hot Glass
Hand-Blown & Sculpted Glass
Head in the Clouds Designs
Succulent Arrangements
Art Supply Warehouse
Paint Your Own Pot with Succulents
Heaven and Sea Creations
Handcrafted Charcuterie Boards, Succulent Arrangements
FOOD OPTIONS, WATER & RESTROOMS
Donuts and Coffee
9:00 am to 11:00 am
Located outside 2315 North Westwood Avenue
Start your day with a cup of joe and a sweet pastry from Randy's Donuts, located on Seventeenth Street near Tustin Avenue, while supplies last.
El Pico de Gallo Grill
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Located toward the south end of The Promenade
Enjoy a taco plate from a local neighborhood favorite. If you like what you got, they have an extensive menu at their nearby restaurant, located right at the northwest corner of Flower Street and Seventeenth Street!
Burning Buns Food Truck
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Located toward the south end of The Promenade
Family driven, gourmet restaurant on wheels servin' up burgers, sandwiches, wraps and specialty fries!
Dogge Depot Catering
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Located toward the south end of The Promenade
Hot Dogs and Nachos
Front Porch Pops
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Located toward the south end of The Promenade
Gourmet popsicles in a diverse variety of flavors
Complimentary Bottled Water
Available at Each Garden
Grab a complimentary water, thanks to Kevin Shuler from Neighbors Real Estate Partners
RECIPES
"Small Bites and Cocktails from the Garden"
If you attended our 2 pm presentation and wanted to recreate some of the delicious bites and cocktails from the demonstration, we've put together a PDF (1.1 mb) for you to download, save or print.
Thank You to Our Garden Owners!
Tim Winger & Alex Fitch
Jim & Tonya Skurzynski
Jim & Karen Mittendorf
Judy Zorrilla
Scott & Lisa Michaels
Raul & Elizabeth Arellano
Steve Tancredi & Judi Fine
Mark Spratt & Matt Holland
And thank you to all our committee members, volunteers, and docents who make this event possible.
Until Next Year!
We are thrilled that you've spent time with us this year and are excited to announce that we'll be back in 2024 on Mother's Day Weekend so mark your calendars for
Saturday, May 11, 2024!
In the mean time, please do one of the following, if you haven't already:
2021 Event Sponsored in Part By:
We are thankful for all of the support we receive from our generous community. Please visit the following businesses that are an important part of our Open Garden Day:
