What do A-List celebrities know about gardens? When Lena Dunham bought actor George Peppard’s sweetly suburban Hollywood bungalow in 2015, it came with a front yard to mow. Sting’s flower beds in Tuscany can tolerate drought. Ellen DeGeneres opted for a permeable gravel terrace outside her master bedroom on the California coast. And at her former ranch in Ojai, Reese Witherspoon was practically a poster child for permeable pavement.
Here are 10 of our favorite ideas to steal from celebrities’ gardens (past and present):
Ellen DeGeneres: Take the Long View
![An elevated terrace paved with light-colored gravel that feels cool underfoot even in hot sun, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have a view in Santa Barbara that stretches to the Pacific Ocean. Their \1930s Montecito, CA villa is for sale for \$45 million. Photograph via Realtor.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ellen-degeneres-santa-barbara-house-for-sale-733x489.jpg)
Sting: Drought Tolerant
Above: Musician Sting and wife Trudie Styler’s 900-acre Tuscan vineyard estate Il Palagio produces organic grapes, and olive oil. Drought-tolerant perennials such as achillea and lavender require little water after they are established. Photograph via Palagio Products.
Lena Dunham: Love Your Shrubs
Above: At the three-bedroom bungalow in Hollywood that Lena Dunham bought in 2015, shrubs and hedges provide a backdrop for the white-on-white facade. Photograph via MLS.
Reese Witherspoon: Go Barefoot
Above: At her 7-acre ranch in Ojai, CA (which she sold in 2013 ), Reese Witherspoon paved courtyards and paths with decomposed granite, a permeable surface that prevents water runoff and feels good underfoot. Photograph via Realtor.
For more ideas, see Low-Cost Luxury: 9 Ways to Use Decomposed Granite in a Landscape.
Patrick Dempsey: Dive In
![Enclosed by a wooden deck, a swimming pool and spa keep a low profile to blend in with the natural surroundings at actor Patrick Dempsey\2\17;s former Malibu home (sold for \$\15 million in \20\15). Built-in season contributes to the relaxed poolside atmosphere. Photograph via Redfin.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/patrick-dempsey-swimming-pool-built-in-seating-malibu-califoria-733x491.jpg)
Vincent Kartheiser: Get a Rollaway Wall
Above: In Hollywood, Mad Man actor Vincent Kartheiser had rolling barn doors to connect the indoors to the courtyard garden in the hideaway house he sold in 2014. For more, see Designer Visit: A Mad Man’s $800K Hollywood Hideaway.
Johnny Depp: Entertain, Outdoors
![In actor Johnny Depp\2\17;s movie-set-worthy village in the south of France (currently for sale, asking price \$39 million) outdoor dining is encouraged. Photograph via Hilton & Hyland.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/johnny-deep-french-village-for-sale-733x457.jpg)
Katharine Hepburn: Consider Curb Appeal
![A facade softened by vines adds charm to the Old Sayville, Connecticut, the house Katharine Hepburn grew up in (and summered in most of her 97 years); the house is currently on the market for \$\1\1.8 million. Photograph via Realtor.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/katharine-hepburn-old-sayville-connecticut-house-733x486.jpg)
Neil Patrick Harris: Savor Symmetry
![At the \13.5-acre Hamptons estate that actor Neil Patrick Harris bought last month, a symmetrical row of lollipop trees creates order at the approach to the swimming pool. Photograph via Town & Country.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/neil-patrick-harris-east-hamptons-estate-733x482.png)
Kristen Wiig: Take It Outside
![In LA, actress and comedian Kristen Wiig created an outdoor living room on a terrace; the house is for sale for \$\2.395 million. Photograph via Zillow.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/kristen-wiig-la-home-for-sale-733x492.jpg)
For more film-worthy gardens, see:
- Grand Tour: An Insider’s 9 Favorite English Gardens.
- Steal This Look: Michelle Obama’s White House Garden.
- A Dowager Duchess’ Glorious Masterpiece.
- At the Movies: The Drama of Slow Gardening.
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation