Karen Anderson Hayes' garden
El Sobrante
Garden Lot size: 60 x 25 sq. ft. side garden only on tour, 90% native
Years gardened at this location: Garden was installed in April, 2007
Years on the "Bringing Back the Natives" Garden Tour: 2
Showcase feature: Pete Veilleux, of East Bay Wilds, redesigned and installed this small, secluded garden in which existing wooden terraces and the original cement steps were left in place: a series of graceful stone terraces were added; an attractive and inviting stone and brick path laid (incorporating old bricks and pavers already on the property); and two stacked stone planter beds constructed of Napa basalt and a mix of flagstone and recycled materials. Planted in these garden beds are an exuberant mixture of colorful natives—orange monkeyflowers and columbines, creamy yarrow and buck wheat, purple flax and penstamon, and blue- and yellow-eyed grass, among others.
Other garden attractions:
- A bunchgrass meadow containing California and Idaho fescues, and June-, needle-, and creeping bent grasses borders the curving walkway.
- Red- and yellow-twigged dogwoods, mallows, currants, and a madrone will function as screens when mature.
- A Concord grape drapes happily over the newly-constructed arbor.
- Step up onto the spacious verandah and relax in the shade while enjoying a new perspective of this unique, creatively designed garden.
- Be prepared to walk up the steepish driveway and a set of stairs in order to reach this garden.
Gardening for Wildlife: During the winter months Appian Creek flows at the bottom of the property; the creek and thickets provide water and shelter for bats, finches, garter snakes, raccoons and deer.