2025 Golden Arrow Winners

2025 Golden Arrows Awards

South Pasadena Beautiful celebrates the return of spring blooms by recognizing five private residences with the Golden Arrow Award. We hope you will find inspiration from these beautiful and sustainable gardens.

The Felser family at 614 El Centro was honored to have well-known landscape architect Gabriela Yariv create a whimsical and drought-tolerant landscape that complemented the architecture of their craftsman home. Landscapers Joe Gagnier and Pat Wheeler (of Gagnier Landscape) transformed an average thirsty grass front lawn into a multi-colored palette of California natives with an efficient drip system. Highlights of the varied colors and textures include Encelia, Euphorbia, Mayan Queen Mangave, and Lomandra. Flagstone stepping stones, river rock, boulders and focused lighting created a safe and exciting Halloween this year, which is critical here in South Pas!

The adobe bungalow at 1125 Marengo Ave. , built in 1930, required hand watering for the lawn. The upgraded design included drought resistant plants, boulders with flagstone stepping stones in the parkway, and river rocks to create a pathway for gutter rainwater falling from the eaves. The main water pipe from the street was replaced and irrigation was installed before planting the Western Redbud tree. White and purple sage, star jasmine, and lavender enhanced scents to entice bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. California poppies, penstemon, kangaroo paw, and “Morning Light” grass added height and color before the rose lined entrance to the front step entrance. River stones and Silver Carpet Dymondia perennial were planted in the 1930 driveway strip. Dymondia perennial needs repair, while the river rocks are “no maintenance” and doing very well! Many thanks to visiting aerial wildlife and La Loma Development Company.

When Walter and Cindy Okitsu purchased 1204 Marengo Ave., the property at the southeast corner of Marengo Avenue and Monterey Road, it featured a large, water-intensive lawn. In 2015, they began transitioning to drought-tolerant landscaping, replacing part of the lawn with low-water plantings, including a row of Mexican sage along the Monterey Road parkway. The result, while popular with neighbors and hummingbirds, eventually became overgrown and unruly. In 2024, the Okitsus removed the remaining lawn and re-landscaped the earlier area, installing Kurapia, a low-water groundcover that mimics turf. They also added gravel elements and a variety of flowering plants to enhance visual appeal. Given that the adjacent sidewalk leads to a nearby elementary school and sees heavy foot traffic—especially on Halloween—the curbside landscaping was designed with durability and accessibility in mind. A few Mexican sage plants were retained, still welcoming the neighborhood’s hummingbirds.

The homeowners of 1417 Marengo Ave. say: When redesigning our front yard, we embraced a water-wise approach that not only honors our commitment to sustainability but also creates a serene habitat for birds and insects. Our garden is more than just a landscape; it’s a reflection of family, where each element holds a personal memory. My great grandmother always had a birdbath in her front yard and it would invite the cheerful flutter of wings, while a manzanita tree, planted in memory of my grandfather, stands proudly at the center. The fire pit, a nod to my parents, serves as a gathering spot for quiet evenings and lively conversations, and the irises, blooming in honor of my wife’s mother, add a splash of color and nostalgia. This garden isn’t just a front yard; it’s a retreat—a space for family to come together and step away from the bustle of everyday life.

John and Colleen Donovan’s home at 1718 Marengo Ave. was remodeled in 2008 to restore Spanish elements. In 2015 the homeowners added a courtyard style patio, a terracotta tile walkway, and Mission tile accents that frame the front entry. At the same time, the increasing importance of water conservation prompted the replacement of the traditional lawn with a drought tolerant garden. Planted vegetation purposely included California natives - Manzanitas, Germander, Coral bells, Hummingbird Sage, and Berkeley Sedge. This new landscape was shared during the Spring 2016 South Pasadena Beautiful Garden Tour. Over the intervening years it has grown and matured into the current garden of today.

South Pasadena Beautiful is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Visit southpasbeautiful.org to see past Golden Arrow Award winners.