Lot size: 11,300 sq. ft. lot, 90% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in the spring of 2009
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!
Showcase Feature
Prior to its transformation the garden was lawn, juniper, and box hedges. Inspired by the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, Cindy and Rick wanted to reduce water use, eliminate chemical use, and provide habitat for wildlife; after the Tour they went looking for a designer who could do the job. Now, low-water-consuming native bunchgrass “lawns” are the centerpieces of a series of flagstone and decomposed granite paths that lead one through the front and extensive back gardens. Designed and installed by the staff of Four Dimensions Landscape Company to blend in with the adjacent open space, this sunny garden, which is maintained by East Bay Wilds, invites visitors to relax and enjoy rural surroundings.
Other Garden Attractions
• Enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Diablo and the East Bay Regional Park land from the back garden.
• Watering has been reduced about 40% this year and will be further reduced next year, when the plants are established.
Gardening for Wildlife Hummingbirds are now seen in the garden, “all the time.” A couple of kinds of native bees frequent the many types of flowering natives.
Garden Talk Native plant expert Steven Cochrane of Four Dimensions Landscape will be at the garden from 10:00–5:00 to answer your native plant questions. Talks at 11:00 & 2:00. “ Choosing Plants for a Sunny Native Garden.“ There are many beautiful native plants available, but which ones will work in your landscape? Steven will speak about the basics of site assessment and how to make smart plant choices that will bring success to your native garden.
