Pat Williams’ Garden
Livermore
Years gardened at this location: 33 years
Garden size: 12,500 square feet
Showcase feature: This thirty-year-old native plant garden, which was inspired by observing plants during hiking and backpacking trips, was designed and installed by the homeowners. To provide drainage in the front yard, natives were planted on mounds created originally with rocks dug from the garden and covered with subsoil dug from a neighbor’s pool project. The front garden was redesigned in 2004.
Other garden attractions:
- Thick mulch conserves water and controls weeds.
- Arbor of edible grapes provides welcome summer shade and cools the house.
- A colorful butterfly garden of non-natives has been planted in the back.
Gardening for Wildlife: A haven for winged creatures, this garden attracts cedar waxwings, flickers, orioles, finches, hummingbirds, towees, and red-tailed hawks in addition to butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the milkweed, and tie their chrysalis’ to the fence. In the back garden, a drip-fed bird bath provides water; birds adore the tall shrubs and plethora of berries. Hummingbirds and beneficial insects love the five kinds of sage.
Garden Talks: 11:00 and 2:00 “Bring Your Favorite Hiking Trails to Your Own Garden — Plant Natives!” and “How to Select Water-Conserving Natives that Will Attract Birds to Your Garden”