Lot size: 1,320 sq. ft. front, 950 sq. ft. back garden, 80% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in May of 2024
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!
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 Landscape Architecture, envisioned a resilient, eco-focused landscape that contained flourishing California native plants and edibles, retained rainwater on-site, and was built of mostly locally-sourced materials.
Gonzalo loves designing gardens with native plants! He says, “California natives provide such a rich plant palette: there is every texture, color, shape, and size you can imagine.” In his own front garden, the sunny areas bordering the sidewalk have been planted with attractive swaths of prostrate coyote brush, fragrant coyote mint, and blue grama grass, with their cheerful, fine-leaved seed heads. Shadier areas of the front garden are home to Island alum root, and sword ferns. Scattered throughout the garden are manzanita, California lilac, coffeeberry and toyon, which provide stability and structure throughout the year.
The downspouts that collect water from the roof drain into dry creek beds that meander across the front and back gardens. These swales allow the rainwater to seep slowly into the soil: this keeps the garden green longer, protects nearby Turtle Creek from scouring, and helps replenish the aquifer.
The bulk of the materials used in this garden—such as gravel from local quarries, and the Calstone pavers, with their permeable sand joints—were sourced from within 80 miles of the house.
A gigantic RV pad in the back yard was demolished, and replaced with pomegranate and citrus trees. More than one hundred lush-looking, water-conserving Point Molate red fescue, planted from 6” stub pots, brighten the back garden.
Other Garden Attractions
• The family cat is kept indoors—both to keep her safe, and to protect birds.
• Restrooms are available in nearby Willow Pass Community Park, at 2748 E Olivera Rd, Concord, at the corner of Salvio St. and Olivera Rd.
Gardening for Wildlife
Butterflies, moths, bees and birds are attracted to this garden.
Keystone species (watch this talk by Doug Tallamy!)
Keystone species—our own, local ecological powerhouse plants—in this garden include holly leaf cherry, huckleberry, currant, California lilac, manzanita, coffeeberry, coyote brush, and sage.
Green Home Features
Gonzalo and his husband both drive electric vehicles, which are charged at home. Three Solatubes concentrate natural light in the house, so that interior lights are used less.
At least partially wheelchair accessible? yes
Great recipe!
Olive Walnut Pasta
I love this meal because it is: Rich in flavor, comforting, healthy and comes together quickly (under 30 minutes). It is high in protein. It elevates the simple, humble ingredients into something special. From the NYT Cooking Recipes For those without a subscription, PDF attached.
