Lot size: 1.500 sq. ft. back garden, 90% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in February of 2009
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour:
New this year!
Showcase Feature
While visiting gardens on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, Joanna and Andrew saw a garden created by Liz Simpson Garden Design, and knew that Liz was the one they wanted to work with to create a child-friendly discovery garden from their then concrete-and-grass back yard. Liz designed the garden, and provided guidance every step of the way; Andrew and Joanna did the work. They removed the concrete, sheet-mulched the lawn (Interested in removing yours? Just ask how!), created contours, and planted a vibrant mélange of plants selected from the chaparral, oak woodland, and grassland plant communities. Other Garden Attractions
- Buckeyes, manzanitas, and California lilac anchor the garden.
- Curving wood chip paths (the mulch was delivered free by arborists) wend through the gentle slope.
- A small water-conserving red fescue meadow, bordered by cheerful native buttercups, offers a soft place for children to romp, and to enjoy the sights and scents of the garden.
- The prolific vegetable garden is located in a flat, sunny area.
- The designer, Liz Simpson, will be at this garden all day.
Gardening for Wildlife
To provide nectar and pollen for bees (carpenter, bumble, and honey), butterflies, and hummingbirds, plants that would provide a seasonal succession of blossoms for most of the year were selected. Deadheading is limited in order to leave the seeds for wildlife. Salamanders call this garden home. Garden Talks 12:00 and 3:00 “How to interpret garden microclimates into a native plant community-inspired design” by Liz Simpson Plant list
