Anita Mascoli and Nancy Werthan’s garden
Berkeley
Gardening experience: years
Years gardened at this location: years
Garden size: 750 square foot front garden, 900 square foot back garden
Showcase feature: This shady sloping front garden is green and flowering even in late summer, thanks to the bunchgrass and monkeyflower, California fuschia, and columbines. Designed and installed by Pete Veilleux of east bay wilds in February of 2004, the goal was to create an attractive garden that could outcompete weeds and be easy to care for. California grape climbs up the front porch arbor.
Other garden attractions:
- At the pond a wrap-around deck with planter cutouts and built-in benches
were designed to allow children to get up-close and personal with the
garden and still not trample the plants. - Naturally wet, shady area was planted with woodland plants
- Native wetland plants are in pots on the 2nd story balcony
Gardening for Wildlife: The stone work and small pond and waterfall provide shelter for salamanders, frogs, toads, and newts, all of which have appeared on their own in the garden. The plant selection and water feature also attract birds and butterflies. Dragonflies and other water-loving insects flit about the pond and waterfall.