Ben and Pat Dresser’s Garden
Oakland
Gardening experience: Native Plants were installed in stages, beginning 6 years ago
Garden size: 120 x 40″ front garden only on tour
Showcase feature: Wide and sloping garden beds, formerly a typical Oakland garden of lawn, ivy, cubed laurel shrubs, juniper, and camellias, are now planted with gracefully swaying bunchgrasses and a lively assortment of natives. The coffeeberry, manzanita, and California lilac provide structure and keep this garden green and attractive throughout the year; wildflowers are spectacular in the spring. This fragrant chaparral- and coastal plant community-themed garden was designed and installed by Greg Wolford of Californica Landscaping. The happy homeowners regard their vibrant, colorful garden as “fun.”
Other garden attractions:
- Occasional organic fertilizer keeps the reduced lawn in fine shape.
- Attractive manzanita anchor the front garden bed, framing a large window.
- Drought tolerant, hardy plants that love the clay, tolerate Piedmont’s
hot, dry summers, and need little care were selected. - The living hedge between the Dresser’s and their neighbor is comprised
of a variety of grasses, shrubs, and flowers to create boundaries with
a natural appearance. - Visit daughter Tracy D’Ambrosi’s Piedmont garden just five minutes
away.
Gardening for Wildlife: There was a noticeable sudden appearance of bees, birds, and butterflies almost immediately after the natives were planted.