John and Fran Alcorn's garden
Brentwood
Garden Lot size: 400 sq. ft. front, 525 sq. ft. back, 550 sq. ft. side, 80% native
Years gardened at this location (Gardening Experience): Native garden was installed in December, 2006.
Years on the "Bringing Back the Natives" Garden Tour: New this year!
Showcase feature: Inspired by attending a previous Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, John and Fran decided to make some changes to their garden, which was wall-to-wall lawn. John, who grew up in national parks, wanted to attract wildlife; Fran desired a more manicured look. The resulting inviting garden is perfect for hot, dry, inland areas. The lawn was reduced in size and wide, curving garden beds were planted with climate-appropriate, drought-tolerant natives selected from the chaparral plant community by Kat Weiss of Kat Weiss Landscape Design. The garden has received, “tons of compliments from the neighbors.”
Other garden attractions:
- Weeds are hand-pulled; plant damage is tolerated.
- In order to minimize runoff, a low, meandering moss rock retaining wall was built under the row of redwoods in the side yard, and a shallow depression, or ‘swale’ created at its base.
- Don’s miss the “before” photos!
Gardening for Wildlife: Plants that attract birds were chosen—several varieties of currants, native grapes, and an elderberry provide berries. An attractive, natural-looking birdbath carved from a boulder is refreshed with flowing water. A variety of sages were chosen at attract native bees. A toad and Pacific chorus frog live in the back garden. A dusting area waits hopefully for quail.