Gardens & Landscaping
The most spectacular feature of Seven Coves is the land on which it resides. In fact, the moniker Seven Coves, was adopted because the overall property has no less than seven coastal inlets that circuitously meander and make their way into the inter-sanctum of the property’s topography. All four properties which make up over 4.25 acres of 180° oceanfront are laden with unique gardens which have been placed delicately and strategically in and among the grounds to take advantage of different micro-climates to promote a variety of flora and fauna …
In all, the observer that is paying close attention will note no less than eight distinct gardens. On the central acreage of the combined property there is a mature Cypress forest with trees averaging over 85 years of age. The forest floor is laden with over 20 unique succulent species that can thrive and grow and flower despite the challenges of a shadowed forest and the succulents add texture and color that complements the moss rocks that have been placed in and among the forest floors and the eerily beautiful Cypress trees. The pathways that guide one through the forest and around the property are intentional organic, reminiscent of a refined Park trail, and include large pieces of floating flagstone to address elevation changes and they are thoughtfully under lit at night to guide the way.
As one approaches the far southern quarter of the combined properties, they will note that the forest begins to diminish and the canopy above thins out allowing the sun to assist numerous flowering coastal plants that thrive in the Highlands environment. The southern gardens also have a soothing manicured topology and drought resistant grasses complement long bladed fescue’s that survive and thrive on the coastal edge and add texture reminiscent of the Genista … the gorses, and heathers or the soft textured and penalizing roughs of a Scottish golf course. The courtyard which is an integral part of the south cottage is full of flowering Bougainvillea and a tender blanket of ground covers made up primarily of baby tears, Irish moss, Elfin and other varieties of Thyme. Just east of the courtyard in the areas protected by wind and salt spray, we have had great success with a variety of junipers that include Cedrus atlantica … (the Atlas cedar), dwarf Blue Spruce, Blue Ice Cypress, Norfolk Pine, and other unique species. All of the distinct gardens are also complemented by thriving native species many of which flower at different times of the year, (such as Ceanothus, Hebe’s, Sage, and three different varieties of Lavender …), so that there is an ever-present dash of color being exhibited in the otherwise seasonal gardens.
In the northern portion of the property where the monolithic Lodge at Seven Coves holds court, the natural pathways have been left in an organic state as one meanders downgrade to Fossett’s Point, where the rock staircase teases the inquisitive to the water’s edge, and a series of well-placed seating arrangements in the form of Adirondack chairs placed around fire pits invite guests to take in the full splendor of the last-gasp Santa Lucia mountains diving and dipping into the Pacific. Upslope from the Sea’s edge at Fossett’s Point, a wonderfully natural floating flagstone stairway-to-heaven meanders its way through boulders and outcroppings up sanctified Indian grounds to the top of Ohlone Outlook, possibly representing the zenith of a wild Highlands shore-to-Sea panorama. At the base of Ohlone Outlook stands a rare and undisturbed cluster Dudleya farinosa, (aka bluff lettuce or powdery liveforever) creating a silvery contrast in the shadows of the Cypress and thriving in the park like belly of Fossett’s Point… where these powdery white native succulents compete and contrast with an abundant field of sparkling native violet Limonium Sea Lavender and then gently merge with the more manicured flowering sedum’s that have been planted at the foot of the Lodges vast western windows. Along the way, the observer is constantly invited to sit down on the expansive viewing benches which beckon the newcomer to savor the moment at hand and take in the full splendor of Continent’s End.
And finally as one approaches the front entry of the Lodge, yet more splendor unfolds with a unique combination of Asian influenced plantings and stone arrangements intermixed with native Highlands flora species and groundcovers and accentuated with cascading waterfalls and gathering ponds surrounded by ferns and their shadow-happy brethren, intimate footpath’s with numerous species of colorful orchids grown and nurtured in the grounds greenhouse, and punctuated by a healthy happy Koi pond with aging plump fish living the life of Riley, all the while suspect that birds of prey or Gray Egrets will soon come to perilously play …..
