Shirley McDonald's Garden
Hercules
Gardening experience: 4 years
Garden size: 8,800 square feet
Showcase feature: This attractive low-maintenance, water-conserving garden—designed and installed by Shirley—was created out of a former sea of gold gravel, ice plant, and junipers. Shirley planted natives in order to “give back” to nature, and the plants—from the coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and oak woodland plant communities—were chosen for their wildlife value. A variety of plant heights and textures make this sunny garden a visual delight.
Other garden attractions:
- Plants are grouped by water needs.
- There is no dead-heading in this garden; seeds are left for the birds.
Gardening for wildlife:A plethora of plants, such as manzanita, California lilac, sage, California fuschia, buckwheat, toyon, and yarrow were incorporated into the garden in order to provide habitat for wildlife. As a result, flickers, savannah-, fox-, white-crowned-, and gold-crowned sparrows, red-winged blackbirds, warblers, cedar waxwings, gnatcatchers and an occasional woodpecker are now seen. There was also a rare visit by a Harris' sparrow (validated by the Audubon Society) whose range does not include the Western states. One day, a male quail was even seen strolling through this suburban lot. On sunny days, the garden is abuzz with a variety of beneficial insects, such as bees and parasitic wasps, lacewings, and ladybugs, which are attracted by the numerous pollen and nectar-bearing plants. Ladybugs now breed and over-winter here. Mason bee tubes were recently placed along the back rear fence.
