Lot size: 650 sq. ft front garden, 140 sq. ft. parking strip, 95% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in 2020
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!
Showcase Feature
It will be hard to believe, when you see this charming garden, that not long ago it had a weedy lawn, a failing retaining wall, and a concrete parking strip. Peter Rohan and LandSpaces designed and installed the new attractive, low maintenance and water-conserving garden.
The petite “lawn,” is the “Native Preservation Mix” from Delta Bluegrass, which was put down as sod. The “Preservation Mix” contains four types of native bunchgrasses (Junegrass, nodding needlegrass, Point Molate fescue and purple needlegrass, our state grass). This mixture of fine-textured grass yields a beautiful rolling meadow effect. Interested in replacing your lawn? This mix withstands full sun, and will tolerate partial shade.
California lilac, manzanitas, rushes, buckwheats and yarrow add stability to the landscape, and keep the garden green throughout the year. Three lovely California lilac ‘Ray Hartman’ placed in the parking strip function as street trees.
The soil, a rocky hardpan, doesn’t faze the natives, many of which are local to within a short distance from Paul and Mary Jo’s home. (Check out this neat new feature on CalScape, where you can see what plants are super-locally native to your area.) Among the hyper-local natives in this garden are the chaparral currant, California fuchsia, and monkeyflower.
Other Garden Attractions
• Treasure hunt! How many plant fossils can you spot in the flagstone stairs and stepping stones? (Hint; there are at least 9!)
• The blueish stone used for the retaining walls is Kryptonite, and was purchased at American Soil Products.
• There are natives everywhere on this block! Look to the right of Paul and Mary Jo’s garden to see buckwheat, sage, manazanita and California lilac. Look to the left to see a very large California lilac, and a deer grass and verbena ‘de la Mina.”
• Saunter down the block (toward the Bay) for two minutes to see Oliver Lo’s garden.
Gardening for Wildlife
California bluebirds visit the garden, as do native bees and butterflies. Monarchs are a common sight, fluttering about the garden in search of nectar.
Keystone species (watch this talk by Doug Tallamy!)
Keystone species—our own, local ecological powerhouse plants— in this garden include California lilac, currant, manzanita, buckwheat and native strawberry.
At least partially wheelchair accessible? Yes
