Ward and Pat Belding’s garden
Pleasanton
Lot size: 1,700 sq. ft. front garden, 90% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in December of 2007
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!
Showcase feature: Inspired by the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, Ward and Pat hired Middlebrook Gardens to design and install a low-water, low-energy garden in place of their water- and energy-demanding lawn. The new garden has reduced their water bill by half; water (and cost savings) will be increased in a year or two, when the natives are established and summer water will be reduced or eliminated. The garden includes a variety of plants suitable for the area including manzanita, coffeeberry, fuchsia, buckwheat, California lilac, and monkey-flower.
Other garden attractions:
- Burbling fountain near the front door provides the welcome sound of falling water, soothing to people and attractive to wildlife.
- Ward and Pat note that they receive a lot of compliments on the garden from their neighbors.
- The lawn-free back garden, while not native, will also be open for viewing.
Gardening for Wildlife: The inverted spill fountain near the front door contains a shallow pool at the top; birds love to drink from, splash, and bathe in it. The native fuchsia attracts hummingbirds.
Garden Talks: Alrie Middlebrook and Nancy Curtis, who designed the garden, will be available from 11:00 – 1:00 to discuss how they worked with Ward and Pat to design the garden, review the challenges they encountered, and describe the merits of the plants that were installed. Bring photos of your own gardens to obtain design advice and plant recommendations!