Lot size: 900 sq. ft. front garden on tour, 90% native

Garden Age: Garden was installed in the fall of 2008

Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 2

Showcase Feature This secluded front garden, designed and installed by Troy, is a wonderful example of how a charming, drought-tolerant, low-maintenance sanctuary can be created from a nondescript, water-consuming lawn.  A sinuous wall separates the more formal seating area, with its plethora of multi-colored pots and miniature sculptures, from the more natural part of the garden. Attractive raised beds provide the drainage most natives need. Other Garden Attractions • No rainwater leaves the front garden in winter; check out the photos of the flo-wells (buried underground storage units), which contain water from the downspouts, and slowly provide a deep watering to the trees. • Plants are hydro-zoned—meaning plants with the same water needs are grouped together. Once established, natives are watered monthly.

• The East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society will have an information table and membership offers.

Gardening for Wildlife Attracted by the variety of nectar and pollen-bearing natives, hummingbirds flit happily about; other winged visitors include monarch, western tiger swallowtail, and checkerspot butterflies, which love this garden, as do bumble and honeybees. Grasses are left to go to seed, providing food for birds.  The sound of water spilling from the fountain attracts wildlife and adds to the peaceful feeling of this tranquil haven. Plants for sale nearby at Troy’s nursery, Garden Natives Troy, who has a passion for natives, found obtaining some of them challenging—so he started his own native plant nursery, GardenNatives, which is located three minutes from his home in Martinez. The nursery will sell many of the natives found in Troy’s garden—and more!—on the day of the tour. Plant List Troy McGregor’s Plant List