Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and Green Home Features Showcase

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So far Kathy has created 595 blog entries.

Cindy and David Angers’ garden

2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Showcase Feature Cindy Angers, owner of EcoFolia Design, has long had an interest in native plants, healthy watersheds, water conservation, and habitat preservation—and this is apparent in the garden she designed for her

Cindy and David Angers’ garden2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Luis-Felipe and Gracie Torres’ garden

2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Showcase Feature: It’s all in the family; inspired by sister Rosadelia Detwiler’s beautiful native plant garden (in Concord—you may have seen this fabulous garden on prior Tours!), Luis-Felipe and Gracie asked Kelly Marshall of

Luis-Felipe and Gracie Torres’ garden2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Christopher Kroll’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Showcase feature Stop by what has to be the smallest lot in Berkeley and you’ll see that it is possible to create a pleasing, natural-looking garden that provides habitat for wildlife—even in the teensiest of

Christopher Kroll’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Brenda Buxton’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Showcase Feature: This small back yard with its heavy clay soil and poor drainage (sound familiar?) needed some TLC. In particular, Brenda and Steve wanted a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance garden that would provide habitat for wildlife. 

Brenda Buxton’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Mary Andre and Dennis Hoagland’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Showcase feature: This garden was inspired by a desire to attract and provide habitat for wildlife, and to create an enjoyable view and living space, while minimizing future labor and water use.  Nearly 100

Mary Andre and Dennis Hoagland’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

John Muir National Historic Site

2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Showcase Feature On Earth Day in 2007 volunteers and Park Superintendent Lucy Lawliss eyed the sterile lawn and exotics growing in front of the visitor center; realizing that this landscape was not reflective of John

John Muir National Historic Site2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Debbie Rheuark’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Showcase feature This small, charming garden, designed and installed by Debbie, is a riot of color in the spring. Creamy milkweed and yarrow, pink clarkias, purple lupine and bright orange poppies reseed and move about

Debbie Rheuark’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:07-07:00

Kim and Jeff Jerge’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:09-07:00

Note: This hillside garden is accessed via a narrow, sloping path. Watch your step. This garden is not for those with balance issues. Showcase Feature The local native plants in this large garden have created

Kim and Jeff Jerge’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:09-07:00

Kate and Harry Dobbins’ garden

2026-04-08T10:42:09-07:00

Showcase Feature Kate attended the 2005 Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and fell in love with a garden designed by Greg Wolford of Californica Landscaping. Kate and her brother Harry promptly hired Greg

Kate and Harry Dobbins’ garden2026-04-08T10:42:09-07:00

John Conry’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:09-07:00

Showcase Feature Seeking beauty and privacy, John transformed this corner lot. The crabgrass lawn that covered most of the garden was dug out by hand. In place of the lawn John designed and installed

John Conry’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:09-07:00

Meg McShannic and David Wallace’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Meg McShannic and David Wallace’s garden Walnut Creek Lot size: ¼ acre, 50% natives Garden Age: Native garden was installed in 2006. Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 2 Showcase feature: This

Meg McShannic and David Wallace’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

BJ and Larry Ledgerwood’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

BJ and Larry Ledgerwood's garden Walnut Creek Lot size: 15,000 sq. ft. back garden only on tour, 80% native Garden Age: Garden was installed in stages, beginning in the spring of 2007 Years on the

BJ and Larry Ledgerwood’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Martha and Greg Alexander’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Martha and Greg Alexander’s garden Pleasant Hill Lot size: 2,500 sq. ft. front garden on tour 99% native Garden Age: Native garden was installed in the fall of 2007 Years on the Bringing Back the

Martha and Greg Alexander’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Jan Enderle’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Jan Enderle’s garden Pleasant Hill Lot size: 4,000 square feet; 50% native Garden Age: the garden was planted in stages, beginning in 2001 Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 5 Showcase feature:A

Jan Enderle’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Ward and Pat Belding’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Ward and Pat Belding’s garden Pleasanton Lot size: 1,700 sq. ft. front garden, 90% native Garden Age: Garden was installed in December of 2007 Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this

Ward and Pat Belding’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Frances Dahlquist’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Frances Dahlquist’s garden Pittsburg Lot size: 25 x 15 sq. ft. front garden only on tour, 75% native Garden Age: Native garden was started in 2005; since 2007 only local natives have been planted. Years

Frances Dahlquist’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Lois Reynolds and Terry Mead’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Lois Reynolds and Terry Mead’s garden Orinda Lot size: 4,000 sq. ft. side/back gardens on tour, 95% native Garden Age: Side garden was installed in the fall of 2006; the back garden in 2007. Years

Lois Reynolds and Terry Mead’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Barbara Leitner’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Barbara Leitner’s garden Orinda Lot size: 4,000 sq. ft. front garden only on tour, 100% native Garden Age: Garden was planted in stages, beginning in the fall of 2006. Years on the Bringing Back the

Barbara Leitner’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Shary Rosenbaum’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Shary Rosenbaum’s garden Moraga Lot size: 4,500 sq. ft. front garden only on tour, 65% native Garden Age: Garden was installed in 2005 Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!

Shary Rosenbaum’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:15-07:00

Al and Barbara Kyte’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:16-07:00

Al and Barbara Kyte’s garden Moraga Lot size: 8,500 square feet, 90% native Garden Age: Native garden was planted in stages, beginning in the early 1970’s Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour:

Al and Barbara Kyte’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:16-07:00

Nancy Salsig’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:16-07:00

Nancy Salsig’s garden Martinez Lot size: 3,000 sq. ft. front and back gardens, 85% native Garden Age: The garden was installed in the fall of 2007. Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour:

Nancy Salsig’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:16-07:00

John Muir National Historic Site

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

John Muir National Historic Site Martinez Lot size: 1,500 sq. ft. garden at visitor’s center, 100% native Garden Age: Native garden was installed in the fall of 2007. Years on the Bringing Back the Natives

John Muir National Historic Site2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Mary Lu and Bob Burchard’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Mary Lu and Bob Burchard’s garden Martinez Lot size: ¾ acre, 60% natives Garden Age: Native garden was installed in stages, beginning in 2001. Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 2 Showcase

Mary Lu and Bob Burchard’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Ann and Paul Kasameyer’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Ann and Paul Kasameyer’s garden Livermore Lot size: 2,040 square foot front garden only on tour, 100% native Garden Age: Native garden was installed in 2005. Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour:

Ann and Paul Kasameyer’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Tim and Chris Boczanowski’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Tim and Chris Boczanowski’s garden Lot size: 1,400 sq. ft. back garden only on tour, 90% native Garden Age: Garden was installed in October, 2006. Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 2

Tim and Chris Boczanowski’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Roy and Rosadelia Detwiler’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Roy and Rosadelia Detwiler’s garden Concord Lot size: 1,560 sq. foot back garden on tour, 50% native Garden Age: Garden was installed in the fall of 2006. Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden

Roy and Rosadelia Detwiler’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Kelly Marshall and Mike Weidner’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Kelly Marshall and Mike Weidner’s garden Clayton Lot size: ¼ acre, front and back gardens are both on the tour, 80% native Garden Age: Back garden was installed in stages, beginning in 2005. Front garden

Kelly Marshall and Mike Weidner’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Joan Underwood’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Joan Underwood’s garden Richmond Lot size: 20 x 25 sq.ft. front garden and 60 x 30 sq. ft. back garden on tour 50% native Garden Age: Native garden was planted in stages, beginning in fall,

Joan Underwood’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Dave Drummond’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Dave Drummond’s garden Richmond Lot size: 2,100 sq. ft. front garden only on tour, 95% native Garden Age: Native garden was planted in stages, beginning in 2004. Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden

Dave Drummond’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Margot Cunningham and Pierre La Plant’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Margot Cunningham and Pierre La Plant's garden Richmond Lot size: 400 sq. ft. front, 300 sq. ft. parking strip, 100 sq. ft. side, and 400 sq. ft. back gardens on tour, 70% native Garden Age:

Margot Cunningham and Pierre La Plant’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Paul Carman and Anita Pereira’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Paul Carman and Anita Pereira’s garden Richmond Lot size: 3,000 sq. ft. front garden, front slope, and parking strip on tour, 70% native Garden Age: Garden was installed in stages, beginning in 2007. Years on

Paul Carman and Anita Pereira’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Kim and Jeff Jerge’s Garden

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Kim and Jeff Jerge's Garden Pinole Gardening experience: The native plant garden has been installed over the past four years. Garden size: 28,000 square feet Showcase feature: A high diversity of local native plants, mixed

Kim and Jeff Jerge’s Garden2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Oakland Museum of California’s Wildflower Show

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Oakland Museum of California’s Wildflower Show 1000 Oak Street, Oakland 100% native Years on Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour New this year! Showcase feature: A popular spring tradition at the Museum, the fragrant and

Oakland Museum of California’s Wildflower Show2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Jo McCondochie’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Jo McCondochie’s garden Oakland Lot size: 6,800 sq. ft. lot, 80% native Garden Age: Native garden was installed in stages, beginning in 2003. Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!

Jo McCondochie’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Kate and Harry Dobbins’ Garden

2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Kate and Harry Dobbins' Garden Oakland Gardening experience: Native garden was installed in the fall of 2005 Garden size:6,000 sq. ft., 98% native Years on Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour - 2   Showcase

Kate and Harry Dobbins’ Garden2026-04-08T10:42:18-07:00

Janette Bachman and Mary Pellerin’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:19-07:00

Janette Bachman and Mary Pellerin's garden Oakland Garden Lot size: 700 sq. ft. front garden only on tour, 97% native Gardening experience:  Garden was installed in the fall of 2006. Years on the Bringing Back the

Janette Bachman and Mary Pellerin’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:19-07:00

Brenda Senturia and Gary Cooper’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:19-07:00

Brenda Senturia and Gary Cooper’s garden Hayward Lot size: ½ acre, 99% native Garden Age: Garden was installed in stages, beginning in 2006 Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!

Brenda Senturia and Gary Cooper’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:19-07:00

Debbi Brusco’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:19-07:00

Debbi Brusco's garden Hayward Lot size: 1,500 sq. ft. front garden only on tour, 99% native Garden Age: Garden was installed early in 2007. Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this

Debbi Brusco’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:19-07:00

Karen Anderson Hayes’ garden

2026-04-08T10:42:19-07:00

Karen Anderson Hayes' garden El Sobrante Garden Lot size: 60 x 25 sq. ft. side garden only on tour, 90% native Years gardened at this location: Garden was installed in April, 2007 Years on the

Karen Anderson Hayes’ garden2026-04-08T10:42:19-07:00

El Sobrante Library Garden

2026-04-08T10:42:19-07:00

El Sobrante Library Garden 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante Garden Lot size: ½ acre restoration project, two 1,000 square foot native plant gardens Years gardened at this location (Gardening Experience): Entrance garden was planted in

El Sobrante Library Garden2026-04-08T10:42:19-07:00

Keith Hamby’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:19-07:00

Keith Hamby’s garden El Cerrito Lot size: 750 square foot front garden and 300 square foot side garden only are on the tour, 99% native Garden Age: Garden was installed in 2004. Years on the

Keith Hamby’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:19-07:00

Michael Graf’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Michael Graf's garden El Cerrito Garden Lot size:1/10th acre; back garden only is on the tour, 80% native Garden Age  Native garden was planted in stages, beginning in 2000 Years on the Bringing Back the

Michael Graf’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Rick Franklin and Janice Woo’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Rick Franklin and Janice Woo’s garden El Cerrito Lot size: 800 sq. ft. front, 1,000 sq. ft side and back garden beds, 90% native Garden Age: Native garden was planted in the winter of 2006.

Rick Franklin and Janice Woo’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Miguel and Deborah Torres’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Miguel and Deborah Torres’s garden Castro Valley Lot size: 500 sq. ft. front garden, 500 sq. ft. back garden, and 200 sq. ft. parking strip on tour, 99% native Garden Age: Garden was installed in

Miguel and Deborah Torres’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Jeff and Julie Johnson’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Jeff and Julie Johnson’s garden Castro Valley Lot size: 1,000 sq. ft. back garden only on tour, 50% native Garden Age: Garden was redesigned in the fall of 2006. Years on the Bringing Back the

Jeff and Julie Johnson’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Pat and John Hierro’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Pat and John Hierro’s garden Castro Valley Lot size: 800 sq. ft. front garden only on tour, 99% native Garden Age: Garden was installed in 2007 Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour:

Pat and John Hierro’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Mary Cooper’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Mary Cooper’s garden Castro Valley Lot size: 1,100 sq. ft. front garden only on tour, 99% native Garden Age: Native garden was installed in January, 2007. Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour:

Mary Cooper’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Matthew White and Sarah Holzman’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Matthew White and Sarah Holzman’s garden Berkeley Lot size: 3,000 sq. ft. garden, 95% native Garden Age: Garden was installed in the fall of 2007 Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New

Matthew White and Sarah Holzman’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Roy and Carolyn West’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

© Saxon Holt Photography Roy and Carolyn West’s garden Berkeley Lot size: 5,000 square feet Garden Age: Garden was installed in 1993. 85% native Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 3 Showcase

Roy and Carolyn West’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Dale and Alison Webber’s garden

2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00

Dale and Alison Webber’s garden Berkeley Lot size: 600 sq. ft front and 300 sq. ft. back garden, 95% native Garden Age: The garden was transformed in stages, beginning in 2004. Years on the Bringing

Dale and Alison Webber’s garden2026-04-08T10:42:21-07:00
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