English Country in a prerequisite garden setting

Cromwell Gardens is a private, 6-acre San Diego estate of which nearly half is planted with roses, wisteria, foxgloves and a multitude of other botanical specimens.

A collection of birdhouses lines the pathways leading to an English Country home built in the 1920s. In the ‘80s, the interiors were updated with a sleek and contemporary look.

The property, once owned by a member of the Pillsbury baking family, is on a canyon rim high above Mission Valley, about six miles from the beach and downtown San Diego.

In the early 1900s, privately owned estates of this size were not uncommon in the area, but by the 1930s, subdivisions and modest bungalows were built on most of their grounds. Gone too are the large staffs who maintained the properties.

How many gardeners does it take to take care of Cromwell? Two, plus the owner.

About this house: The name Cromwell appears to have come from the influence of two English-style homes built on the same street. No Cromwell shows up in the area’s history.

Asking price: $1,995,000 to $2,395,000.

Size: There are three bedrooms and three bathrooms in the main, 2,800-square-foot house. There is also a detached guesthouse with a bathroom. The home sits on 2.65 acres of landscaped grounds, and there are 3.34 acres of open space for added privacy.

Features: The living room has a 9-by-11-foot window framing views of the open spaces and gardens.

The main house also has a grotto-wine cellar and a garage with a finished loft.

Where: San Diego

Listing agent: Linda Marrone, Coldwell Banker, La Jolla, (858) 456-3224, and Patrick Lynn, Coldwell Banker, Metro, (619) 574-5991.

To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, send color interior and exterior photos (copies only, please; we cannot return the pictures) and a brief description of the house, including what makes the property unusual, to Ruth

Ryon, Real Estate section,

Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012,

or e-mail homeoftheweek @latimes.com.