Lot size: 2,800 sq. ft. front garden, 75% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in stages, beginning in 2015
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 4
Showcase Feature
The drought was on (is it ever really over, in California?), and Lauren was ready for the thirsty lawn to go. Longtime friend Anna Wendorf of Anna Wendorf Design designed the new garden, and a $1,000 rebate from the Contra Costa Water District helped pay for the transformation. The open arrangement of this garden reflects the natural look of Marsh Creek, which is right across the street. Five types of manzanita—the groundcover ‘Emerald Carpet’, low growing gray-green ‘Pacific Mist’, mid-sized ‘Sunset’, the stately ‘Dr. Hurd, and Point Arena—provide structure and greenery throughout the year.
Other Garden Attractions
• Stormwater from the roof is retained on-site in the cobblestone-lined dry streambed that wends through the garden. Keeping rainwater on the property allows the water to slowly filter into the ground, rather than running off to a storm drain. This provides a deep drink to the garden’s plants, keeping the garden green longer, helps protect the creek from eroding, and recharges the groundwater reserve.
• The massed wheat-colored flowers of the Mendocino reed grass provide visual interest in the summer.
• Find out how you can receive a rebate of up to $1000 to remove and replace your lawn with a water-wise garden! At this garden, flyers will be available with information on the Contra Costa Water District’s Lawn to Garden Rebate and free Landscape Design Assistance Program. If you include 70% or more natives in your plan you can have your own garden on the Tour!
Gardening for Wildlife
Bees are attracted to the aptly named ‘Bee’s Bliss’ sage. In the winter and spring the manzanitas delight the hummingbirds and native bees that visit their beautiful urn-shaped pink to cream-colored flowers for pollen and nectar.
Garden Talks
12:00 “Native Curb Appeal: Plant Selections for Bay Area Gardens” by Anna Wendorf
Music in the Garden
10:00-11:45 Mother/daughter duo Deborah Kuhl Wendt and Linda Benyahia will perform an eclectic mix of bluegrass, jazz standards, Americana and French songs on guitar, banjo, accordion, mandolin and fiddle
