Showcase Features: "My kids never liked to play in the garden when we had a lawn, but now they're outside all the time," said the garden owner before opening the gate to her kid-friendly, pet-friendly garden. And it was not only the trampoline and the rope ladder up the majestic Western cedar. The whole garden, with gravel paths edged with rocks, many colorful perennials, and a feeling of openness is welcoming and beautiful. Two seating areas with firepits invite the family to gather, and the dry creek bed with the slab bridge surely attracts lizards that the kids can spy on.

Other Garden Attractions: In the front garden, colorful redbud, iris, and California fuchsia are offset by more sculptural deer grass and a native rush. In the back, the golden gravel paths give structure to the garden year round, while hummingbird sage, low-growing manzanita, snowberry, native aster, and many other native plants add color and welcome green highlights. A small meadow with yarrow and native grasses is a counterpoint to one of the seating areas with chairs in red, orange, and yellow. A small kitchen garden with lemon trees and herbs is near the back entrance to the house. Note: only the front yard is wheelchair-accessible.

Gardening for Wildlife: The garden provides food, shelter, and water for wildlife, and many different birds enjoy the bird feeder and watering post.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 2

Garden Size: 20,000 sq. ft.

Designer: Peigi Duvall, Indig Design
Installer: Curtis Horticulture; Maintenance: Tao Landscaping and Carrie Parker

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