Josie Lismay’s Garden
Berkeley
Gardening experience: all my life!
Years gardened at this location: 3 years
Size: 2,000 square foot backyard on tour
Showcase feature: A large, time-and water-intensive lawn was transformed into a charming native plant garden designed and installed by Philip Batchelder. The goals were to reduce maintenance and water use, stop fighting the leaves that fell from a massive oak next door, and to create habitat for wildlife. A collection of large pots and sculptures has been artfully placed throughout the diverse array of natives, many of which are local to the East Bay. A dry streambed rambles through the upper reaches of the garden, near the unexpected mural that graces the tool shed.
Other garden attractions:
- Leaves are now embraced, and left on the ground as mulch.
- Over 130 species of native plants can be found in this diverse, attractive garden
- Don't miss the “before” photos.
Gardening for Wildlife: Elderberries, coffeeberries, blackberries, manzanita, lemonade berry, goose berry, thimble berry, several species of current, California grape, and toyon all attract songbirds. Hummingbirds are attracted to the pitcher, hummingbird, and Cleveland sages, and to the several species of native fuschia that have been planted. Bird use of the garden has increased since it was planted with a diversity of natives. Three bird houses invite habitation, and birds now nest in the garden. An interesting variety of bees, flies, and other winged insects love the cow parsnip, goldenrod, California lilac, and buckwheats, while butterflies flutter around the buckwheats and milkweeds, and moths visit the soaproot flowers. Hollyleaf (Islais) cherry, hazelnut, and the fruits mentioned above also attract mammals. Large logs, rocks, debris piles, bunchgrasses, and not keeping the garden overly-tidy provide habitat for a variety of little critters, including two kinds of salamander, and the thick mulch has brought many kinds of mushroom to this garden.