Showcase Features: This peaceful garden invites people and animals to enjoy nature through the changing seasons. The garden includes a redwood habitat, Mediterranean mounds, and fruit trees. In 2008, the owner remodeled the front garden, which is now almost 100% native.

In 2011, PG&E required the removal of part of the concrete walkway and a boxwood hedge. Instead of pouring more polluting concrete, the owners had an urbanite pathway laid. With kind permission from their neighbors, they are starting a new hedge using two species of manzanita and Eve Case coffeeberry.

This year on tour day, Helen Popper, author of California Native Gardening: A Month-By-Month Guide will be available to sign books and answer questions 10:00 to 11:00. She will give a 20 minute talk at 10:30. A limited number of books will be for sale at the garden, proceeds to benefit CNPS (checks or cash please). Helen will be at the Kumar-Jethanandani Garden in San Jose on Saturday 11-12.

Other Garden Attractions: Garden designer Chris Todd helped garden owners plan the replacement of a pool and thirsty lawn. Instead, they now enjoy colorful, drought-tolerant perennials and a plaza with a hammock. Benches invite garden visitors to sit and watch the birds and butterflies that enjoy the plants and water sources. There's a surprise in the garden every day.

The garden owner is Town Mouse in the popular native gardening blog Town Mouse and Country Mouse (http://www.tmousecmouse.blogspot.com).

Gardening for Wildlife: Many birds, butterflies, and native bees live in and visit this garden. Lizards come out in the summer and salamanders enjoy the redwood habitat during the rainy season. The solar-powered fountains are a special attraction for humans and critters alike.

☺ Garden Talk: Book Talk: California Native Gardening: A Month-By-Month Guide 10:30 a.m.

❀ Plants Available: On tour day, Gold Rush Native Plant Nursery will conduct a plant sale at this garden. 20% of the proceeds will benefit the Going Native Garden Tour. Please pay with cash or check.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 10

Garden Size: 10,000 sq ft

Designer: Chris Todd (back)
Installer: Dale van Doren (front and back)

Click here to display the plant list in a printer-friendly format.