Lot size: 2,900 sq. ft. back garden 99% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in the fall of 2014
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!
Showcase Feature
The spectacular view across the valley and to the oak-covered hills in the distance is equaled by this beautiful back garden, a delightful combination of texture, form, and color, designed by the team at Susan Friedman Landscape Architecture. Slate flagstone paths provide access to this vibrant landscape, which bursts with an exuberant springtime blend of colors and textures. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to remove your lawn, this must-see garden will help you make up your mind!
Other Garden Attractions
• Rainwater from the roof drains into the dry streambed, which contains an attractive blend of moss rock boulders, Lodi cobble, and Mexican pebbles.
• Walk a few houses down to visit Lorraine Kalich’s and Melinda Bandler’s gardens on Cherokee Court.
Gardening for Wildlife
A family of quail is at home in this garden. Hummingbirds sip nectar from the monkeyflower, penstemon, and hummingbird sage. Butterflies adore the large landing pads (aka clusters of cream-colored flowers) on the yarrow. Native bees are attracted to the three types of sage. Owls swoop overhead.
Food in the Garden!
Enjoy delectably delicious delights, including pastries, pies, pop tarts, and more, from the Rolling Sloane’s pop-up cart.
Garden Talks
12:00 “There are many benefits of retaining rainwater on-site! How to do it, and why” by Aisha Bouziane
11:00 and 2:00 “Choosing and caring for the right manzanitas, California lilacs, buckwheats, and sages for your garden” by Pete Veilleux of East Bay Wilds
Plants for Sale:
East Bay Wilds will sell a variety of native plants, including many of the manzanitas, California lilacs, and sages featured in the talks.
Seeds for Sale:
Wild Jules Crafted Seed Balls will sell a variety of grass seeds, as well as wildflower seeds for sun (including lupine, clarkia, gilia, and meadowfoam, and part shade (such as Chinese houses and five spot), and also perennial wildflower seeds (including milkweed, monkey flower, buckwheat and yarrow).
Music in the Garden
3:00 Mike Thelen will play acoustic guitar and sing songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s, such as Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, the Beatles, and John Denver, among others
