Lot size: 310 sq. ft. front, 130 sq. ft. parking strip, 120 sq. ft. side, and 560 sq. ft. back garden, 90% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in 2016
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 3
Showcase Feature
Long-time Tour attendees Natalie and Armand had tried to design their garden themselves but weren’t happy with the outcome, and finally realized they needed help from a professional. The resulting beautiful garden, designed and installed by Pete Veilleux of East Bay Wilds, is a delightful example of how a small garden can be transformed into an attractive space that invites both people and pollinators to linger. Year-round color begins with the (nine!) species of manzanitas in winter, brightens with California lilac and sages in spring, and continues with cream-to-pink buckwheats and bright red fuchsia in the summer and fall.
Other Garden Attractions 
• The pink concrete driveway and a brick wall were removed and partially re-used in the recently installed hand-set driveway strips and in the curvaceous back patio. Removing the driveway allows rainwater to drain naturally into the soil, providing a prolonged drink to the garden’s plants.
• Watch your step in the back garden, near the stairway.
• Public restrooms are available at Krusi Park, located 2 blocks west on Fountain Street. The park is behind Otis Elementary School.
Gardening for Wildlife 
This garden is attractive year-round; it is especially vibrant in summer—and the visual appeal does not go unnoticed by the pollinators! Hummingbirds sip nectar from the red fuchsias, electric purple-blue penstemon, and red and yellow monkeyflowers. Butterflies adore the red flowers of the rosy, and the cream-colored blossoms of the Santa Cruz Island and naked stem buckwheats. Bees gather pollen from, and happily buzz, the purple sages and orange poppies.
Art in the Garden
Bird vs Bird will sell hand-crafted note cards, coasters, magnets and pins, pouches, wallets, and illustrations for bird watchers and nature lovers.
Video
“Natalie and Armand’s California native plant garden, located in Alameda, California” by landscape designer Pete Veilleix
