See a City Hacienda Succulent Garden
In my latest video we visit a restored,1930s Spanish bungalow in Orange County. In keeping with a Mexican hacienda theme inspired by the famed La Quinta Resort, Nanci and Kevin Zinngrabe's urban succulent oasis includes sculptural cacti, euphorbias, aloes, agaves and more.
Front of house
You'll love all the bright colors inspired by Mexican tile and Talavera, and the innovative ways the couple utilize limited space, create inviting outdoor living areas, muffle neighborhood noise, and maximize privacy.
The house has been in magazines and on home-and-garden tours.
The Zinngrabe's "Z Casa" is in Santa Ana’s Floral Park, an Orange County community of more than 600 vintage homes built from the 1920s through the 1950s.
The 8,000-square-foot lot on a busy corner includes a spa, water features, a garden potting bench, shelves that display succulent pots, and areas for grilling, dining and entertaining.
Outdoor sink, countertop, bar and grill
Especially noteworthy is how they've used vertical space for succulents. Tall specimens in narrow planters show to advantage against 6-foot, brick-topped stucco walls.
Cacti and euphorbias create a living art gallery and cast intriguing shadows throughout the day. Planters are conveniently sitting-height.
How the Zinngrabes interpret Mexican hacienda style
- Talavera and terra-cotta from Mexico
- A palette of blue, orange and golden brown
- Bricks in patterns
- Carved wood and wrought iron accents
- Archways
- Smooth white stucco walls
The largest of several fountains muffles exterior noise
- Fountains
- Mexican chiminea (a free-standing terracotta chimney)
Nanci's potting bench
Nanci's work table serves as a garden focal point, as do shelves that hold assorted Talavera pots.
Nanci's potting bench is both eye-catching and practical.
Terracotta blends well with Talavera, and so do containers with a desert theme.
Nanci displays small succulents in collectible Talavera and terra-cotta pots on outdoor shelves.
Nanci’s favorite succulents
Shown here: Agave attenuata, Agave macroacantha, Agave ovatifolia (Whale’s tongue agave), Agave tequilana, Aloe bainesi, Aloe ‘Blue Elf’, Aloe marlothii, barrel cactus, Coppertone stonecrop, Euphorbia ammak ‘Variegata’, Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’, Pedilanthus macrocarpus, sansevierias, Yucca aloifolia
Spanish bungalow, front yard plants
The corner behind the spa has a curved planter featuring Aloe bainesii
In the potting bench area are sansevierias (snake plants) in cobalt pots
A large agave and aloe in the front garden
Inside the historic house
Archways, weathered wood, wrought iron and hints of Old Mexico continue in the home’s interior.
Elements of Mexican hacienda style
Front porch with wrought iron and sansevieras
Even Ollie, a Yorkie mix, has a saguaro squeak toy
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