Lot size: 1/2 acre, 75% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in stages, beginning in 2009
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 5
Please do not park on Overhill Road.
Showcase Feature
Inspired by the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, Pat began removing the junipers, gravel, and weeds in her front yard. In their place she and Alexandra Ashton of Urban Flora Landscape Design planted a variety of native bunchgrasses and clarkia, lupines, penstemon, blue-eyed grass, and poppies. As the native garden expanded, Pat focused on including plants that would attract birds and pollinators—and also plants with delicious scents, such as yerba buena, hummingbird and Cleveland sage, and coyote mint. Pat happily reports that bees and hummingbirds began coming to the garden within hours of its being planted with natives.
Other Garden Attractions
- Drilled rock fountain attracts wildlife.
- A peaceful meditation spot and labyrinth occupy a shady area with a terrific view.
- Enjoy the whimsical artwork that is scattered throughout the garden, including metal silhouette herons, realistic-looking quail, quizzical owls, totem poles, and more.
- Comfortable Adirondack chairs invite you to take a rest and enjoy the garden—please do!
- Designer Alexandra Ashton will be at this garden all day.
Gardening for Wildlife
Quail parents and their dozen adorable chicks forage for seeds among the grasses in the front garden. More than fifty species of birds, including four species of woodpeckers, as well as flickers, are drawn to Pat and Glenn’s garden by the water, seeds, and nectar, and the feeders (suet, mealworm, and Niger seed). In order to protect birds, the family cat is kept indoors.
Whimsical garden art created with natural elements such as rusted metal, wood, and stone reflects the family’s interest in wildlife.
Keystone species (watch this talk by Doug Tallamy!)
Keystone species—our own, local ecological powerhouse plants— in this garden include coast live oak, currant, manzanita, buckwheat, lupine, coffeeberry, sage, and penstemon.
Video
“Gardening for birds and bees” by Pat Rudebusch,
