Sonoma Valley Italianate Garden: Olive Grove, Bocce Court, and Crushed-Stone Mulch

Sonoma Valley Italianate Garden: Olive Grove, Bocce Court, and Crushed-Stone Mulch

Susan Skinner and Bob Heisterberg wanted their Sonoma Valley dream house to resemble a walled Italian village. Landscape architect Paul Harris created a garden every bit as Italian: entry courtyard fountain, olive grove leading to backyard with pocket patios, dunking pool, bocce court. Simple plantings—lavender and ornamental grasses.

• Crushed-stone mulch covers ground to foliage—no defined edges. Japanese call this kansei (peaceful simplicity).
• Skinner: "My husband doesn't want to cut grass, and I'm not a gardener. We got the idea in Italy."
• "It's easy. It looks right, feels right. And no passport required."

Landscape Design: Paul Harris, Imagine Sonoma, Sonoma, CA (www.imaginesonoma.com or 707/939-1300)
Design: Diana Marley and Sam Wells, Marley + Wells Architects, Petaluma, CA (707/762-8123)