Lot size: 500 sq. ft. front, 250 sq. ft. parking strip, 1,250 sq. ft. back garden, 90% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in stages, beginning in 2016, with most of the natives installed in 2024
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!
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 a garden that would make the bees happy—and they knew that it would take native plants to do that. Hannah also knew she loved blue flowers. In the back garden, delighting her and the bees these days, are the blue-violet blossoms of the California lilac ‘Anchor Bay’, the pale blue-lavender petals of the ‘Pacific Blue’ sage, the purple-blue flowers of the blue-eyed grass, and the fragrant blue flowers of the California lilac ‘Concha’.
Steel landscape edging creates clean lines that define the geometric shape of the wide garden path, which leads to an inviting seating area containing two Adirondack chairs: drop down in them and enjoy this lush, secluded, and tranquil garden, which was designed by Lily Bodnar, founder and principal designer at Plantkind and installed by the team at Terra Gardens.
The intricate fence was designed and installed by Bill Smullin: note the width of the rails, which are smaller at the top of the fence and wider at the bottom, as well as the way the rails are off-set, in order to provide more privacy. The shade structure millwork was done by Joinery Structures.
Plantkind also reworked the front and side gardens, bringing in berry-bearing plants such as snowberry and currants, as well as sages and buckwheats, to attract birds. Boulders create visual interest, as well as damp and shady places in which small creatures can shelter.
Other Garden Attractions
• The lawn and weeds were sheet mulched away.
• Concrete was removed to create a plantable sidewalk strip.
• Sun sails mounted on tall redwood posts shade a seating area.
Gardening for Wildlife
In order to keep their cats—and birds—safe the family’s cats are kept indoors, except when they have supervised outdoor time in the fenced back garden.
Hummingbirds, other birds, bees and butterflies are attracted to the water in the bird bath basalt bounder. (Look for the water stone under the shed’s rain chain.)
Keystone species (watch this talk by Doug Tallamy!)
Keystone species—our own, local ecological powerhouse plants— in this garden include coast live and Engelman oaks, currant, coffeeberry, buckwheat, California lilac, sage, snowberry, and manzanita.
Green Home Features
Solar panels and two batteries generate and store the energy that power the couple’s lights, induction range, and electric vehicle. An upcoming renovation will further electrify the house.
Carbon Cure concrete was used to make the parking pad patio. Carbon Cure concrete contains extra CO2, which reduces its carbon footprint, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while creating concrete that is stronger than regular concrete.
At least partially wheelchair accessible? Yes
Parking – Parking will be tight. Plan on walking a couple of blocks. Do not block neighbor’s driveways.