Garden design is not always about a flashy redesign that catches the eye of every passer-by; sometimes, it’s the quiet planting that adds subtle beauty to the background of our lives. The brightly colored, storied borders of Martin Short’s Santa Monica home are a good example.
The 1988 photo captured the comedian strolling through his yard, with beautiful purple, yellow, red, pink, and white wildflowers sprouting behind him. Vertical rock planters help to create height, while a variety of small hedges create contrast with brilliant flowers. Although the appearance is understated, these beautiful plants are not quickly forgotten.
Martin’s yard shows that with a little planning, the most beautiful curling plants, and wildflowers, beautiful borders are easily achievable. To check out his design, Homes and Gardens pick out all the arrangements you’ll need to plant your wildflower border. We also talked to expert gardeners about how they recommend creating a colorful and fragrant garden like Martin’s. To get you started, here’s a glimpse of his ’80s backyard.
Martin Short in his backyard in Santa Monica, California, in 1988
Recreate the Martin Look at Home
Groundflower Wildflower Seeds
Bathe your garden in color with this beautiful packet of wildflower seeds. They create a beautiful spread effortlessly and attract beautiful birds like butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. They are perfect for creating a wild look around manicured hardscaping.
If you want to add a pop of purple to your garden, these flowers add great height and unexpected shape. They are beautiful mixed with white, pink and red flowers.
Martha Stewart Leather Garden Gloves
If you’re going to plant your garden this season, you’re going to need gardening gloves, and who knew they could look so cute? Perfect for roses or shrubs, they keep hands protected and make it easy to reach thick leaves or handle prickly stems.
This first solution is an expert-approved fertilizer favorite, and we can see why: liquid plant food can be used with seedlings, flowers, vegetables, trees, and other plants when planting or repotting. Perfect for lazy flowers.
Decorate your garden with these beautiful romantic flowers. These heart seeds will allow you to grow your cosmos flowers from scratch.
These wonderful pruners win in both style and function, and are necessary to maintain well-kept borders. The high-quality blades deliver clean cuts, while the secure grip prevents accidental cuts.
If you love a colorful garden like Martin’s, you’re in luck. Bright wildflowers are among the easiest flowers to use in your garden.
Horticulturist Chris McIlroy explains: ‘Wildflowers will grow anywhere. If you have problem areas where you haven’t been able to plant anything else, wildflowers may be manageable. You can even buy different varieties that are suitable for shady areas or clay soils, too.’
He continues: ‘There is no need for fancy compost or plant food; wildflowers don’t take much care. Normal rainfall in autumn and winter should be enough to keep the plants moist, so you don’t even need an irrigation system.’
Martin Short’s expertly planted borders are clearly visible in the background of this portrait, complete with pink, yellow, red, and white flowers.
Ultimately, whimsical yard art calls for careful planning. Putting in the work early ensures that your yard will thrive for years to come with minimal maintenance, like Martin. Julian Palphramand, Gardening Specialist at the British Garden Centre, says: ‘Whether you’re planting your first border or looking to get it right, the secret is easier than most people think. Prepare your layers, choose the plants you like, and give them a good start in the soil, while the rest takes care of itself.’
