Jo McCondochie’s garden

Showcase Feature

 This sloping, terraced garden has undergone a number of transformations in the last forty years; from Monterey pine and lawn (the watering of which flooded the basement); to bounteous vegetable garden (the corn-field was near the street); and then, when a lower maintenance, more water-conserving garden was in order, to native plants. Jo, who has taken classes on natives at the Tilden Regional Parks Botanic Garden, and is a docent there, regards natives as “fun and fascinating.” She also says she doesn’t like “tidy” gardens, but prefers a natural, evolving look. A deer grass hedge lines the driveway; the front garden’s vivacious stand of giant buckwheat is glorious in the summer. The sloping side garden contains Douglas iris, rosy buckwheat, and currants; an apple tree is espaliered against the house. The native garden, a family affair, was designed and installed by Jo and her son, Alasdair, daughter-in-law, Gretchen, and granddaughter, Cally.

Other Garden Attractions

• This garden is freely browsed by deer; what’s left is what they don’t eat.
• The back garden contains aged but prolific pear and apple trees, roses, and a potpourri of natives, including aster, prostrate manzanitas, and a flowering currant hedge.

Gardening for Wildlife

 Cedar waxwings, warblers, hummingbirds, finches, titmice, and nuthatches are seen in the garden. Squirrels, opossums, raccoons, gophers and
many insects also frequent the garden.

Plant list