Visiting the Cheviot Hills garden of Lavi Daniel and Renee Claire is like entering an Alice in Wonderland world where plants are aflame in winter colors and flowers look like pine cones sprouting from the soil. The plants, most from Australia, thrive in Southern California. Both areas are part of the Mediterranean climate zone known for mild winters and dry summers. An exotic Grevillea lavandulacea is one of the discoveries in the garden. . (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
From his living room, artist Lavi Daniel looks at his garden. Richly colored landscape views can be seen year round from the windows, inner courtyard and back patio that his wife, Claire, owner of BedHead Pajamas, especially enjoys. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
When shopping at Australian Native Plants Nursery in Casitas Springs, near Ojai (www.australianplants.com), Daniel says the couple looked for sexy, interesting and drought-resistant plants such as this Banksia grandis. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Daniel mixed in a South African plant, the variegated pink, green and yellow Leucadendron Jester in the courtyard. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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A view of the garden through a leaded-glass window creates a painterly image. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Acacia rigens casts a delicate shadow on a wall. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The bright blooms of the Acacia rigens. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The yellow-leaved Duranta, which isnt from Australia, against a background of succulents. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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A graceful euphorbia, though not of Australian origins, holds it own in the garden. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
