Al and Barbara Kyte’s garden
Moraga
Garden Lot size: 8,500 square feet
Years gardened at this location (Gardening Experience): Thirty years at this location
Showcase feature: This lovely, low maintenance garden provides great habitat for people and wildlife alike. In the front garden a sun-dappled bower of vine maples create an inviting garden entrance, welcoming visitors who wish to wander among the half-dozen species of manzanitas that keep the front garden attractive throughout the year. In the back garden, a twenty-five foot long stream tumbles down through off-set falls, a meander, and a shallow riffle/bird beach area before spilling into a pond.
Other garden attractions:
- This garden, 30 years in its development, contains over 100 species of California natives. Most of the established plants receive no summer water.
- Japanese garden concepts have shaped the design of this yard.
- Note how mountain mahogany trees are used to soften the lines of the house and along with black oak, small pines, and toyons, create an attractive, see-through canopy.
- Al, a professional fly fishing teacher, artfully designed one straight line in the back garden that allows him to practice fly casting, without detracting from an overall gently-curving look.
Gardening for Wildlife: Bird houses, suet and seed feeders, bird baths and a shallow stream riffle, brush piles and dust bath areas, and abundant plant cover have attracted 30+ species of birds, including western tanagers and black-throated gray warblers. Rock outcroppings, wood piles, and sandy areas for egg-laying add habitat for western fence and alligator lizards. Sharp-tailed snakes reside in this garden and gopher snakes regularly pass through.
Garden Talks: 12:00 and 3:00 “Concepts that Guided My Landscaping”