While this garden is open all year round, visiting it during the tour day provides an opportunity to ask the docents about any particularly interesting plants or features.

Address: 1730 Halford Ave. #148, Santa Clara (click the address to show it on a map).

Directions: From 101 and 85, take 101 South.
Take exit 394 for Lawrence Expy
Turn right onto Lawrence Expy
Slight right onto Buckley St
Turn left onto Halford Ave
Destination will be on the right

Showcase Features: The homeowners' association of this condominium complex has replaced a substantial part of their high water, conventional landscape with mostly native, drought tolerant plants. While many mature specimens of trees were retained, most of the understory areas are now home for a large variety of native species.

Other Garden Attractions: The long and scenic goldfines walk lead the visitors between center mounds and garden beds near the building. In the sunny areas, a mix of wild lilac, manzanita and sage ground covers are accented by Cleveland sage, monkey flower, and other grasses and shrubs. The garden edges host colorful perennials such as foothill penstemon, California fuchsia, deer grass, and coast aster. Ferns, evergreen currant, coffeeberry, Oregon grape, and other shade lovers enjoy the sun protection of the buildings.

Gardening for Wildlife: The garden offers food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and lizards.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 2

Garden Size: 9.5 acres

Designer: Annaloy Nickum
Installer: Petalon Landscape

Click here to display the plant list in a printer-friendly format (from year 2012).