Lot size: 250 sq. ft. front garden, 75% native

Garden Age: Garden was installed in 2009

Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!

Showcase Feature Diane and her hiking buddy, Sally, converted their gardens from solid lawn to water-conserving wildlife habitat gardens together.  They took classes as a team, did their research jointly, and just generally helped each other along.  Diane’s lawn was cut into manageable chunks, then flipped over and piled into mounds, which improved drainage and created visual interest. Terrel Brand selected plants that provide berries, seeds, and nectar, such as coffeeberries, bunchgrasses, and yarrow; Diane installed the garden. Masses of wildflowers, including birds-eye and globe gilias, goldfields, tidy tips, and clarkias, create a sea of color in spring.  This vibrant garden brings Diane out front for lunch frequently these days. Other Garden Attractions

• Visit the back garden and take a look at Diane’s impressive rainwater catchment system—four 55 gallon barrels mounted on a sturdy rack, which provides easy access to the water.

Gardening for Wildlife Rocks, logs, and brush piles provide hiding places for lizards (a favorite of Diane’s grandson) and a baby western ringneck snake. Ecstatic congregations of native bees gather at the California and tansy phacelias, foraging for nectar and pollen. Skippers and ladybugs are frequently seen. Hummingbirds are drawn to the native fuchsia and penstemon.  Flycatchers swoop through the garden, gracefully catching insects in mid-flight; house finches and goldfinches are welcome visitors.  A birdbath and water-filled saucers attract birds and butterflies. Garden Talks 11:00 “How to set up a rain barrel system” by Diane Griffiths and 2:00 “The cost of converting a lawn to a native garden, if you do most of the work yourself” by Diane Griffiths Plant list