Lot size: 2,000 sq. ft. section of front garden, 95% native

Garden Age: Garden was installed in the fall of 2010

Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!

Showcase Feature

Joanie, a long-time Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour participant, had decided that natives should replace part of their extensive lawn, which used to run right up to the base of their majestic oak trees. This large garden is being reworked in stages; the left side of the garden is now bordered by wide, gracefully curving beds, and contains a potpourri of currants, bunchgrasses, coffeeberries, hummingbird sages, and irises.  The right-hand side of the garden features a bioswale—a gently sloping drainage course planted with natives, and created in order to keep soil and water on site. Rick Alatorre of Alatorre Garden Design designed and planted the native sections of the garden.

Other Garden Attractions

• • Two charming stone bridges cross the bioswale; rustic brick walls border the garden.
  • The driveway is made of permeable pavers.
  • A bountiful veggie bed borders the right-hand side of the garden.

Gardening for Wildlife

Turkey vultures and Cooper’s hawks soar overhead, while hummingbirds flit from flower to flower. At least four different species of butterflies visit the garden. Garter snakes are occasionally seen.