Mary Andre and Dennis Hoagland's garden
Walnut Creek
Garden Lot size: 111 x 32 sq. ft. back garden slope only on tour, 90% native
Years gardened at this location (Gardening Experience): Natives have been planted on this slope since 2005.
Years on the "Bringing Back the Natives" Garden Tour: New this year!
Showcase feature: This garden was inspired by a desire to attract and provide habitat for wildlife, and to create an enjoyable view and living space, while minimizing future labor and water use. Nearly 100 species of natives, grouped by water needs, have been incorporated into the shady slope of this large back yard garden, which was designed and installed by Mary and Dennis. Low water-use natives (watered once a month or less) include monkey flower, iris, California fuchsia, and coffeeberry. Natives that receive no summer water (once established) include buckwheat, coyote bush, California lilac, cream bush, and coyote mint.
Other garden attractions:
- Weeds are pulled by hand; this is easy, due to the 3 to 6 inch layer of wood chips, which were delivered free by an arborist.
- A variety of wildflowers, including tidy tips, meadow foam, baby blue eyes, five spot and cream cups, brighten the garden in spring.
- Mary, a long-time beekeeper, hopes to have her honeybee observation hive available for viewing. (The bees can’t get out of this hive, but you can see them in at work.) Please ask where the hive is if you are interested.
Gardening for Wildlife: A seep, cascading stream, and pond attract birds and dragonflies and other riparian wildlife. The sound of falling water and the diversity of native plants provide food and nesting areas more than 30 species of birds, half a dozen kinds of butterflies, and four types of natives bees (leafcutter, mason, sweat, and bumble).
Native plant-related items sold/given away: The California Natives Plant Society will sell native plant reference books and memberships. Join CNPS today and be entered in a drawing to receive a free landscape consultation!