A Costa Rica Garden Paradise

Dennis Schrader and Bill Smith were always drawn to tropical landscapes. Something about the vibrant colors, unique growth forms, and edgy silhouettes of the equatorial plants sang to their mutual aesthetics. By 1992, that infatuation had grown from working together on design projects using these unique plants to opening Landcraft Environments Ltd., their wholesale Long Island and Maryland nurseries with a focus on tropicals, rare annuals, and tender perennials. Meanwhile, their own Long Island garden featured some of those plants, although the selections were limited due to the fluctuations in seasonal temperatures in the Northeast. So whenever possible, Dennis and Bill slipped away to vacation in tropical climes where they could take in the lush vegetation. Not surprisingly, they eventually began to seek their own piece of paradise and found the perfect tropical escape in Costa Rica.

The property, located near Dominical and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, offered the dreamy trifecta of rainforest, mountainous terrain, and ocean vistas. Hiking to the top of the mountain with the help of machetes, Dennis and Bill chose a site for their house and called it Los Elementos. Alluding to one of the five elements of Ayurvedic holistic medicine, the duo named the main house Villa de Agua (villa of water) because of its ocean view. The goal for the land surrounding the house was to preserve as much of the rainforest as possible while incorporat- ing all the whimsy and superabundance of the tropics. In keeping with the theme, they celebrated water in all its many forms from melodic fountains to ponds, all with Balinese style. Even the home’s front entrance is reached via a bridge crossing a placid water pool.

Having gardened in the Caribbean, Southern California, and Florida, Dennis thought he knew the climate. But Costa Rica surpassed his expectations and his experience with the tropics. “Anything will grow here,” he says. “Even a fence post will grow!” Dennis and Bill were able to include orchids, heliconias, gingers, and other alluring plants that they struggled to keep alive on Long Island. As a result, their dream garden became a reality with its almost surrealistic series of scenes.

Despite the ideal growing conditions, the two horticulturists did face some challenges. While the rainy season gave them the gift of water, it proved to be too much. Their solution was to harness the water through rice fields, streams, and ponds. As they graded the land, they strove to protect and preserve the natural beauty. “We wanted to keep as much of the jungle intact,” says Dennis. Meanwhile, they shopped at local nurseries, enhancing the site with begonias, anthuriums, caladiums, and calatheas to serve as groundcovers along the pathways while using alocasias and colocasias to create accents. They also added curious fruits and plants with heady fragrances such as ylang-ylang. And establishing the plants was a snap. For example, when they planted tiny plugs of creeping fig and other tropicals to soften walls, the plants were fully established and making energetic headway just a few months later.

As a final step, the duo began collecting the hardscape and furnishings in conjunction with a fellow garden enthusiast who was one of their partners in the endeavor. In Bali, they connected with craftspeople and woodcarvers to fabricate statues, gates, columns, and artwork that accent the multi-level pathways. Eventually, the talents of a whole town of craftsmen in Bali fed into Los Elementos.

More recently, Dennis and Bill found that they couldn’t devote sufficient time to Los Elementos due to the responsi- bilities of their nurseries at home. Fortunately, one of the original partners—also an avid gardener—took the property under her wing, offering it as a luxury rental to welcome guests. Dennis and Bill still come and stay nearby to enjoy the fascinating horticulture they love. And their dream of Los Elementos continues to shine through in the joyous colors of the garden, the unleashed fervor of rarities interweaving, and the partnership between plants and craftsmanship as vines and moss mingle with the artwork and ornaments.

By Tovah Martin | Photography by Rob Cardillo

Learn more about the extraordinary property on its website. Explore more fascinating flora on the Landcraft Environments Instagram page.

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