Showcase Feature
In the fall of 2024 Kelly Marshall, owner of Kelly Marshall Garden Design, designed a full, lush, cottage-style native plant garden for Pat and John’s front yard. Pat was interested in a long bloom season, a bird and wildlife- friendly garden, having a Zone 0 plant-free area adjacent to the house and a design that included a path from the street to the front door. Pat had done her research in advance, and provided Kelly a list of favorite native plants.
The Pomidor’s garden story is unique because, on the very day that Kelly was coming over to show Pat and John the final plans, the Pomidor’s homeowners’ insurance company called to inform them that their insurance policy was not being renewed because their “property…[didn’t] meet [their] wildfire risk assessment guidelines.” The agent told the Pomidors that certification as a Wildfire Prepared Home through the Institute of Business and Home Safety, or IBHS, would be required to renew their policy.
Pat and John decided to follow, as much as possible, the landscaping requirements set forth in the “Wildfire Prepared Home”. Pat worked the IBHS standards into a series of suggestions and directions for Kelly to incorporate into an updated plan.
Kelly quickly revamped the garden plans by reducing the number of plants, spacing them out, and choosing low-growing plants —while also focusing on creating an attractive garden.
Despite these many changes from the original plan, Pat and John love their fire-wise front garden! Pat says that it is easy to take care of, and that the decomposed granite and flagstone pathway is lined with “gorgeous” plants. The Pomidor’s are happy with the view from the house, as well as from the street. Everyone—Pat, John, and the birds—adores the bubbling boulder water feature.
This garden was installed by Lawrence Bennett Landscape Design and Construction.
Other Garden Attractions
• Check out the FireScaping work that has been done in this garden: the Zone 0 clearance (nothing combustible within 5’ of the house), and the revised landscaping plan.
Gardening for Wildlife
A fountain in the front yard and bird bath in the back yard provide much-needed water for the 39 species of birds] that have been seen in this garden in the past year, including acorn woodpeckers, white-breasted nuthatches, Anna’s hummingbirds, Western bluebirds, chestnut-backed chickadees, oak titmice and Bewick’s wrens.
Five nest boxes invite birds to start their families in this welcoming environment: oak titmice are repeat visitors to the nesting boxes (which are cleaned when nesting season is over). This year, for the first time, bluebirds nested in the garden!
FireScaping and Home Hardening
Zone 0 – the area five feet from the front of Pat and John’s house has been cleared of vegetation, and covered with decomposed granite to protect the house from airborne embers. A 2021 research study from IBHS and ZestyAI found that property owners who clear vegetation and other flammable materials from the perimeter of their home can greatly increase their structure’s likelihood of surviving a wildfire.
Pat and John Also, they took advantage of the Moraga / Orinda Fire District’s offer of free ember resistant vents and gutter guards to further protect their home. They are in the process of extending Zone Zero around the rest of the house. The major remaining fire scaping task will be replacing the wood fences and gates that are within 5 feet of the home with metal ones.
Firewise Landscaping
In the 5-30’ zone trees were limbed up, and the plants were spaced out. To prevent fire from climbing into trees only low-growing plants were chosen. These are consistent with IBHS standards.
The City of Orinda has put out this Wildfire Prepared Home Base Guide.
Keystone species (watch this talk by Doug Tallamy!)
Keystone species—our own, local ecological powerhouse plants— in this garden include California lilac, manzanita, buckwheat, sage, coffeeberry, and penstemon.
Garden Talks
12:00 “Our journey to a fire wise landcape and a hardened home” by Pat Pomidor
At least partially wheelchair accessible? Yes
Photos
Click to see as a slideshow:
