Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and Green Home Features Showcase

Calvin Craig’s garden—#33 🐦

2025-04-28T20:49:09-07:00

Parking Park on West Shell Avenue Showcase Feature The parking strip in front of the house is bordered by fast-growing deergrass, a perennial that puts up graceful, two-foot-long golden plumes when in flower. Songbirds visit

Calvin Craig’s garden—#33 🐦2025-04-28T20:49:09-07:00

Carol Thornton’s garden—#16

2025-04-28T19:24:35-07:00

Showcase Feature This charming, peaceful garden was created to provide habitat for wildlife. Large, blue black iridescent pipevine swallowtail butterflies lay their bright orange eggs on the Dutchman’s pipevine—the only plant they can reproduce on:

Carol Thornton’s garden—#162025-04-28T19:24:35-07:00

June Watanabe’s garden—#38

2025-04-24T20:42:06-07:00

Showcase Feature This colorful, charming, gently sloping garden, which was designed by Reka Foss of Foss Garden Design, has something in flower almost all year long. The three varieties of manzanitas (‘Austin Griffiths’, ‘Paradise’, and

June Watanabe’s garden—#382025-04-24T20:42:06-07:00

Cyn Coulouthros’ garden—#46 🐦

2025-04-29T13:23:25-07:00

Entry to this gated community You’ll need to stop at the gatehouse entrance. Tell the security guard that you are going to Cyn Coulouthros’ house, and provide the address. Showcase Feature This artistic and inviting

Cyn Coulouthros’ garden—#46 🐦2025-04-29T13:23:25-07:00

Jim and Laurie Ulrick’s garden 🐦 – Garden #59

2026-04-05T09:49:24-07:00

Showcase Feature This beautiful and productive garden is anchored by eight varieties of California lilac and four of manzanita, as well as buckeye, coast live oak, and pacific wax myrtle. An orchard with sixteen varieties

Jim and Laurie Ulrick’s garden 🐦 – Garden #592026-04-05T09:49:24-07:00

Roger and Amy Aines’ garden 🐦 – Garden #71

2026-04-05T10:06:52-07:00

Showcase Feature Roger and Amy spent a lot of time hiking in the Livermore hills observing and photographing the natural world in order to replicate it in their own garden: their hope was to create

Roger and Amy Aines’ garden 🐦 – Garden #712026-04-05T10:06:52-07:00

Gonzalo Mannucci and Joe Lapka’s garden—#36

2025-06-05T07:13:27-07:00

Showcase Feature When Gonzalo and his husband bought this large corner lot in 2021 they knew the large Bermuda grass lawns and London plane trees had to go. In their place Gonzalo, owner of Planetscaper

Gonzalo Mannucci and Joe Lapka’s garden—#362025-06-05T07:13:27-07:00

Yen Bui’s garden ♿️ – Garden #51

2026-04-05T09:40:08-07:00

Showcase Feature When Yen and Hai bought the house in 2022, this large corner lot contained two huge palm trees, lawn, and an eclectic collection of non-native shrubs. Shortly after purchasing the home they had

Yen Bui’s garden ♿️ – Garden #512026-04-05T09:40:08-07:00

Tim Vendlinski’s garden 🐦 – Garden #27

2026-04-05T09:15:28-07:00

Showcase Feature The paths in this beautiful, elegant, and mature garden, which was designed by Tim, are bordered by a variety of evergreen shrubs from the coastal chaparral community, such as manzanita, California lilac, and

Tim Vendlinski’s garden 🐦 – Garden #272026-04-05T09:15:28-07:00

Jacob Klein’s garden—#22

2025-04-26T14:42:14-07:00

Showcase Feature Inspired by the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and ecologist Doug Tallamy, Jacob was ready for the lawn and non-native ornamentals to go. After consulting with landscape designers Michael Hogan and Pete

Jacob Klein’s garden—#222025-04-26T14:42:14-07:00

Lindsay Ferlin’s garden

2025-05-17T20:20:43-07:00

Showcase Feature When Lindsay and her partner bought this house early in 2020 the front garden contained two enormous, highly flammable cypress trees that towered over a scruffy lawn and some scraggly hedges. It wasn’t

Lindsay Ferlin’s garden2025-05-17T20:20:43-07:00

Mat and Anita Byczkowski’s garden—#6

2025-04-29T06:33:56-07:00

Showcase Feature This garden is on a steep slope and is accessed via many steps, some with no rail. This is not a garden for anyone with balance or mobility difficulties. When Anita and Mat

Mat and Anita Byczkowski’s garden—#62025-04-29T06:33:56-07:00

Wayne Whitney’s garden ♿️ – Garden #16

2026-04-05T08:56:30-07:00

Showcase Feature Before its transformation, the backyard had consisted of a swing set, engulfed by 60- year-old wisteria vines. Enter Lois Simonds, owner of Gardening by Nature’s Design, who designed and installed this charming, colorful,

Wayne Whitney’s garden ♿️ – Garden #162026-04-05T08:56:30-07:00

Namita and Mayur’s garden—#14

2025-04-25T08:07:32-07:00

Showcase Feature When Mayur and Namita purchased the house in 2021 the back garden was mostly concrete, sparsely dotted with fruit trees and roses. The front yard, sparing the presence of a single magnolia, was

Namita and Mayur’s garden—#142025-04-25T08:07:32-07:00

Hannah and Mike’s garden ♿️ – Garden #25

2026-04-05T09:13:34-07:00

Showcase Feature When Hannah and Mike bought this large corner lot in 2015 the back garden consisted of a scruffy lawn and weeds, presided over by a flimsy sun shade. Their dream was to have

Hannah and Mike’s garden ♿️ – Garden #252026-04-05T09:13:34-07:00

Kathy and Peter Greenstein’s garden ♿️ – Garden #43

2026-04-05T09:32:51-07:00

Showcase Feature The Japanese-American family who were the first owners of this house left behind a lifetime of work in their legacy garden, with its Japanese tea house, stone lanterns, charming wooden bridge, cobble-filled ponds,

Kathy and Peter Greenstein’s garden ♿️ – Garden #432026-04-05T09:32:51-07:00

2025-04-01T16:19:51-07:00

Showcase Feature Note: This hillside garden is accessed via stairs that do not have rail. The steps are slightly higher than standard. This garden is steep, and it is not for those with balance issues.

2025-04-01T16:19:51-07:00

Nancy Beckman and Tom Bickley’s garden ♿️

2025-05-17T20:43:48-07:00

Showcase Feature Nancy, who has been attending the Tour since its inception in 2005, has long had an affinity for native plants, and it shows in the garden she designed and installed. The garden in

Nancy Beckman and Tom Bickley’s garden ♿️2025-05-17T20:43:48-07:00

Carol and Jeff Garberson’s garden ♿️ 🐦

2025-06-05T08:51:52-07:00

Showcase Feature Doug Tallamy’s talk on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour’s first virtual garden tour, in 2020, motivated Carol and Jeff to remove their recently installed “drought-tolerant” landscaping and replace it with California

Carol and Jeff Garberson’s garden ♿️ 🐦2025-06-05T08:51:52-07:00

Lainie Johnson’s garden 🐦 – Garden #63

2026-04-05T10:00:47-07:00

Showcase Feature Long-time Tour goer Lainie was ready for a change. Despite the difficulties she has experienced gardening on her lot—exposed, hot areas; dry slopes in baking sun; and browsing by deer—she has gone all-out

Lainie Johnson’s garden 🐦 – Garden #632026-04-05T10:00:47-07:00

Pamela Fox’s garden ♿️ – Garden #8

2026-04-05T15:54:24-07:00

NOTE: The stones in the back garden path are uneven; please watch your step on them, and also be careful going up the steps that lead up to the seating area. Showcase Feature This charming

Pamela Fox’s garden ♿️ – Garden #82026-04-05T15:54:24-07:00

Keith Johnson and Erin Diehm’s garden 🐦 ♿️ – Garden #19

2026-04-05T08:59:21-07:00

Showcase Feature It’s all about the birds, butterflies, and bees in this charming, wildlife-friendly garden, which was designed and installed by Erin and Keith. Starting from a base of basically zero, they have enjoyed watching

Keith Johnson and Erin Diehm’s garden 🐦 ♿️ – Garden #192026-04-05T08:59:21-07:00

Scott Richerson’s garden ♿️ – Garden #11

2026-04-05T08:50:45-07:00

Showcase Feature As a child working in his parents’ native plant garden, Scott was not drawn to the idea of gardening with nature. But as a new homeowner faced with a yard full of ice

Scott Richerson’s garden ♿️ – Garden #112026-04-05T08:50:45-07:00

Josh and David’s garden ♿️ – Garden #49

2026-04-05T09:38:14-07:00

Showcase Feature Breaking news! Josh and David's garden recently won the "Most Beautiful Yard Hayward" contest! Leading up to that honor was this story...Undaunted by the Bermuda grass in the front and back gardens (well,

Josh and David’s garden ♿️ – Garden #492026-04-05T09:38:14-07:00

Janet Parks’ garden – Garden #10

2026-04-05T08:48:46-07:00

Showcase Feature Inspired by the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and Doug Tallamy’s talks, Janet and Ed asked Pete Veilleux to remove the non-native ornamentals in their front garden and design and install a

Janet Parks’ garden – Garden #102026-04-05T08:48:46-07:00

Maria and David Dawson’s garden ♿️ 🐦 – Garden #70

2026-04-05T10:06:10-07:00

Showcase Feature Long-time Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour attendees and avid hikers Maria and David wanted to “bring nature home” and make their own garden a haven for pollinators. Through the Tour they visited

Maria and David Dawson’s garden ♿️ 🐦 – Garden #702026-04-05T10:06:10-07:00

Melody Esquer Gil’s garden—#3  ♿️

2025-04-24T13:03:47-07:00

Showcase Feature Got a small garden? Wish you had one that was attractive to people and wildlife, low-maintenance, and used very little water? If so, this is the garden for you! The original garden consisted

Melody Esquer Gil’s garden—#3  ♿️2025-04-24T13:03:47-07:00

Dave Savidge and Jennifer Braun’s garden – Garden #12

2026-04-05T08:51:40-07:00

Showcase Feature This delightful garden, designed and installed by Dave and Jennifer, is a riot of color in spring and summer, with nearly a hundred different types of natives blooming in a bountiful succession. The

Dave Savidge and Jennifer Braun’s garden – Garden #122026-04-05T08:51:40-07:00

Jen and Rolland Mathers’ garden—#1

2025-05-02T16:52:13-07:00

Showcase Feature Rolland and Jen worked in the field of environmental restoration for decades. When they bought this house in 2011, they were eager to remove the plastic sheeting that covered the front garden, and

Jen and Rolland Mathers’ garden—#12025-05-02T16:52:13-07:00

Susan and Bill Teefy’s garden 🐦 – Garden #46

2026-04-05T09:35:32-07:00

Showcase Feature When Susan and Bill's children were small they got a lot of use out of the large lawn in the back yard. Once the kids were grown, and inspired by gardens they saw

Susan and Bill Teefy’s garden 🐦 – Garden #462026-04-05T09:35:32-07:00

Danny Galindo and Eugene Shabelyanau’s garden – Garden #45

2026-04-05T09:34:44-07:00

Showcase Feature When Danny and Eugene bought their house in 2016 they knew the thirsty lawns and sprawling junipers had to go. The garden they designed and installed themselves transformed the space into a delightful

Danny Galindo and Eugene Shabelyanau’s garden – Garden #452026-04-05T09:34:44-07:00

Sallie Bryan’s garden 🐦 – Garden #14

2026-04-05T08:54:45-07:00

Showcase Feature NOTE: This garden has sloping ground and uneven steps. The back garden is accessed via a set of stairs with a handrail. This garden should not be visited by those with balance issues.

Sallie Bryan’s garden 🐦 – Garden #142026-04-05T08:54:45-07:00

The Hillside Club—#13 ♿️

2025-04-30T17:52:49-07:00

Showcase Feature The front garden of the Hillside Club features California native shade-loving plants, including Western azalea, currants, snowberry, dogwoods, and ferns, which are a beautiful complement to this historic building. The Hillside Club was

The Hillside Club—#13 ♿️2025-04-30T17:52:49-07:00

Laura Cornett and Brad Buehler’s garden ♿️

2025-06-05T08:39:40-07:00

Showcase Feature A sheet mulching workshop held at neighbor Dixie Finley’s house inspired Laura to sheet mulch her own lawn away. The charming woodland garden that took its place was designed by Laura, and installed

Laura Cornett and Brad Buehler’s garden ♿️2025-06-05T08:39:40-07:00

Nancy Niemeyer’s garden ♿️ 🐦 – Garden #67

2026-04-05T10:03:54-07:00

Showcase Feature Nancy is passionate about both nature and archaeology; these interests intertwined in the development of the garden she designed and installed, which was modeled on ancient Roman gardens. The rectangular courtyard, planted with

Nancy Niemeyer’s garden ♿️ 🐦 – Garden #672026-04-05T10:03:54-07:00

Jean Hansen’s garden

2025-05-17T20:37:06-07:00

The steps in the front garden are shallow; watch your footing, and hold the hand-rail. The backyard has stepping stones leading up a shallow hill; please watch your step. This garden is not for people

Jean Hansen’s garden2025-05-17T20:37:06-07:00

Trina and Jeff Horner’s garden ♿️ – Garden #65

2026-04-05T10:02:18-07:00

Showcase Feature In this beautiful front garden make-over, designed and installed by Lois Simonds of Gardening by Nature's Design, the front lawn was replaced with a charming seating area, which is surrounded and embraced by

Trina and Jeff Horner’s garden ♿️ – Garden #652026-04-05T10:02:18-07:00

Michael Graf ‘s garden – Garden #9

2026-04-05T08:47:44-07:00

Showcase Feature Michael has turned an area that formerly contained only exotics into a charming native plant garden.  Wide, gracefully curving garden beds, provide the drainage that most natives need, wrap around a reduced lawn. Recently

Michael Graf ‘s garden – Garden #92026-04-05T08:47:44-07:00

Pat and Glenn Rudebusch’s garden—#43

2025-06-06T10:22:35-07:00

Please do not park on Overhill Road. Showcase Feature Inspired by the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, Pat began removing the junipers, gravel, and weeds in her front yard.  In their place she and

Pat and Glenn Rudebusch’s garden—#432025-06-06T10:22:35-07:00

Bob and Stephanie Sorenson’s garden 🐦  ♿️ – Garden #58

2026-04-05T09:47:40-07:00

Showcase Feature For anyone interested in streamside or restoration gardening, or gardening for wildlife, this garden is a must-see. The Sorensons have spent the last thirty-five years restoring the creek side and adjacent uplands. The

Bob and Stephanie Sorenson’s garden 🐦  ♿️ – Garden #582026-04-05T09:47:40-07:00

John Muir National Historic Site—#34  ♿️

2025-05-02T18:00:00-07:00

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 Site—#34  ♿️2025-05-02T18:00:00-07:00

Debbie Rheuark’s garden ♿️ – Garden #3

2026-04-05T08:42:23-07:00

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 garden ♿️ – Garden #32026-04-05T08:42:23-07:00

Kim and Jeff Jerge’s garden – Garden #1

2026-04-05T08:36:33-07:00

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 garden – Garden #12026-04-05T08:36:33-07:00
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