This hillside garden is accessed via several stairways, one very steep, and some with no rail. This is not a garden for anyone with balance issues.
Elbert is a very narrow dead-end street: you will likely find yourself in an unpleasant gridlock situation if you try to park on Elbert. (Don’t even!) Instead, park near 1101 Glendora Avenue, and stroll the short distance on the public walking path to Elbert: this will bring you directly to Sarah’s back garden.
Showcase Feature
The pleasant stroll on the public walking path from Glendora to Elbert will allow you to access Sarah’s garden via the back gate. Enjoy the expansive view from this entrance, including the hammock (shaded by an apricot tree and passionfruit vine), wrap-around party-sized seating area near the fire pit, numerous inviting seating areas, incredible moss rock retaining walls, curving stairways and charming wabi sabi path design—in this case, by incorporating squares of the former concrete path asymmetrically with irregularly shaped pieces of flagstone, creating an attractive balance of order and disorder—and a pleasing array of native plants. This beautiful garden was designed by Terremoto; the stonework was done by Arriaga Masonry.
Apple, fig, apricot trees soften the fence line, and mingle nicely with their understories of yarrow, ‘Bee’s Bliss’ sage, and the nearby white and Cleveland sages.
The front garden, planted on a steep slope, is home to manzanitas and bunchgrasses. The (flammable) rosemary which had draped over the retaining wall is being replaced by California lilac ‘Yankee Point.’
Bordering the pathway in front of the house are white and Cleveland sages, ‘Emerald Carpet’ manzanita, and toyon and lemonade berry, among other native plants. The front steps are steep—watch your step on these front stairs, and use the rail.
Drop down in one of the numerous seating areas and enjoy this peaceful garden; you won’t want to leave!
Other Garden Attractions
• You’re welcome to use the bathroom here: just ask one of the volunteers (wearing a blue t-shirt), to escort you to it.
• Don’t miss the “before” photos!
• Sarah maintains the garden herself: she is a proponent of “learning about the garden while working in the garden.”
• A five-minute stroll on the walking path to Trestle Glen will lead you to Clytia and Joe Curley’s garden.
Gardening for Wildlife
The garden attracts birds, bees, and butterflies. Drawn in by the milkweed, monarch butterflies flutter about the garden.
Keystone species (watch this talk by Doug Tallamy!)
Keystone species—our own, local ecological powerhouse plants—in this garden include huckleberry, California lilac, manzanita, woodland and coast strawberry, sage, buckwheat, penstemon, and honeysuckle.
Green Home Features
Solar panels have resulted in a “huge reduction” in the family’s PG&E bills. In addition, they don’t pay for gas, as their electric vehicle is powered by the sun. This home has no garage, so their home charger is on the street.
Garden Talks
12:00 “Finding solutions to garden problems, such as how to use narrow planting spaces, garden vertically, give new life to pieces of former concrete paths or driveways, and make the most of your hillside” by Sarah Selvidge
At least partially wheelchair accessible? no
Photos
Click to see as a slideshow:
