Lot size: 2.000 sq. ft. front garden, 100% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in the fall of 2006
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 3
Showcase Feature 
Irene and Michael’s garden, formerly juniper, gravel, and pine needles, and shaded by large Monterey pines, was redesigned and installed by Rosemary Zappulla of Wild Rose Gardens Sustainable Landscaping. Irene and Michael wanted to “bring back the birds and bugs,” thus their choice of local native plants. Most of the plants incorporated in this restoration garden (from the grassland, oak woodland, Northern Coast sage scrub plant communities) were propagated from seed collected from El Cerrito wildlands and grown by Native Here Nursery staff and volunteers. A swale keeps rain water on site.
Other Garden Attractions 
- Most of the stones used to make retaining walls came from this property; the remainder were salvaged from a neighbor’s hillside.
- Coffeeberry, buckeyes, and big leaf maples create living privacy screens when mature.
- Exterior siding on the house is made from HardiPlank, a recycled material.
- Plants incorporated into this design are deer and fire resistant.
- Don’t miss the “before” photos—you’ll see why the neighbors love this garden!
Gardening for Wildlife 
Doing what they can to create a healthy environment, this couple foregoes the use of pesticides. Native grapes and currants attract birds. Stone piles are warming places for butterflies and homes for lizards. Bats, native bees, and butterflies frequent this garden. Hungry gophers dictated that most plants be protected by wire mesh baskets.
