Lot size: 1,050 sq. ft. front garden on tour, 80% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in the fall of 2008
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!
Showcase Feature
Until recently, this shady garden was once solid lawn bisected by a straight concrete path. After Michelle took Glen Keator’s class on how to design a native plant garden out went the lawn, and in came the natives. Michelle’s goal was to “bring the garden into the living room.” To accomplish this, a beautiful glazed pot was turned into a burbling fountain and placed in one of the wide, deeply curvaceous garden beds close to the house. Riparian plants were planted in the deep shade next to the house; sturdy chaparral plants that needed more sun, such as penstemon and fuchsia, were placed closer to the sidewalk. This attractive, low-maintenance garden was designed by Michelle; installation was a family affair.
Other Garden Attractions
- The spacious “flagstone” path is really the former driveway, cut, stained, and artfully laid by Kohi Moa of K. Construction.
- Don’t miss the “before” photos!
- Lemonade and cookies will be available for sale.
- The Musiker garden is just down the block.
Gardening for Wildlife
Bees adore the sages (sand hill, creeping, and Cleveland); hummingbirds are drawn to the red, tubular flowers of the fuchsia, and butterflies love the large, cream-colored, nectar-filled landing pads (aka flowers) on the Santa Cruz island buckwheat.
Garden Talk
12:00 and 2:00 “How we removed the lawn and designed the garden” by Michelle Minor
