© Saxon Holt Photography
Rick and Monica Alatorre’s Garden
Richmond
Gardening experience: 8 years
Years gardened at this location: Native plant garden was installed 4 years ago
Lot size: 5000 square feet
Showcase feature: The artistic placement of a graceful series of raised beds and attractive paving stone retaining walls, in combination with the tapestry of color found in a wonderful palette of natives, provides aesthetic appeal. This lovely garden, designed and installed by the owner of Rick Alatorre of Alatorre Garden Design, bursts with color from February through August.
© Saxon Holt Photography
Other garden attractions:
- Plants of varying heights and textures create visual appeal.
- Newspaper (20 sheets thick and covered by mulch) is used for weed control.
- A potpourri of recycled products—the red-cement path that lead to the house, a neighbor's broken concrete wall, and used chimney flues—have been incorporated into both the front and back gardens.
- Take a look at the ‘before’ photos.
- Stop by the "Consultants Corner" and ask what native plants will do well in your garden.
Gardening for Wildlife: Since the natives have been put in, word has been getting out; the garden is now regularly visited by hummingbirds, butterflies, hoverflies, ladybugs, and other beneficial insects. Four species of caterpillar thrive here, and thirteen species of butterflies visit the saucers of sand and water Rick and Monica thoughtfully put out for them. (Some of them now lay their eggs in the garden.) These creatures are attracted to the shelter provided by dense plantings, the variety and constancy of the flowers, and the fallen leaves (which aren't raked up). Three birdbaths and the sound of water falling from a small fountain attract a variety of birds. Crickets bring each day to a graceful end, with soft chirping that wafts through the bedroom windows in the evening.
Garden Talk: 11:00 and 2:00 "Convert Your Lawn into a Native Garden the Easy Way!"
Plant Sale: A myriad of grasses, including California Fescue and Foothill needle grass, monkeyflowers of various colors, gum plant, and more will be available for sale.
Plants sold or given away: Native plants, reference books, posters, and Garden Tour t-shirts will be sold by the California Native Plant Society.