Showcase Features: This is a brand new native garden in urban setting, incorporating a variety of small native plants. Low-growing manzanitas, salvias, vine maple and coyote mint complement ceanothus, mimulus, coffeeberry, mallow and buckwheats. Trees include oak, toyon, and several nonnative fruit trees. In front, a raised bed holds manzanitas, salvias, and vine maple. More small shrubs dot the periphery. The back yard incorporates vegetable beds, a compost pile, wood bridges over rock rivers, tree stump pavers, an innovative bird bath, a spiral herb bed, room for an outdoor kitchen and a potting area, a small orchard, and a fern path shaded by a tree branch blind.

Other Garden Attractions: This garden shows great enthusiasm for native plants and design for maximal use of a small space. Time will develop and select mature growth and establish a surviving optimal natural design.

Gardening for Wildlife: Native berries and numerous flowering plants provide food for birds, butterflies, etc. Birdbath for water as well as rain gutter fed creek beds that have standing water after rain due to clay soil. Trees will eventually provide nesting area. A shady corner of the yard with ferns will provide temporary refuge/shelter, as will various bushes (coffeeberry, toyon, ceanothus, manzanita).

☺ Garden Talk: Edible native plants.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 1

Garden Size: 3100 sq. ft

Designer: Alan Hackler, Bay Maples: Wild California Gardens and homeowner
Installer: Alan Hackler, Bay Maples: Wild California Gardens and homeowner

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