Showcase Features: This is an ordinary small front yard made extraordinary because of native plants. The house is a rental, and the yard was reborn with hard work, ingenuity, and use of rebate program funding. The gardener (the tenant) convinced the Santa Clara Water District to remove invasive 60-year-old ivy on the fence bordering the yard and the creek for free, as part of a creek mitigation effort. The yard also was full of weeds including crabgrass and oxalis. All of it is gone now due to mulching and weeding. Rebates covered all of the other costs. Total cost to the property owner: $0. Tenants and homeowners will be inspired by the before pictures contrasted with the current vibrant, wildlife magnet garden anchored by a long-blooming Island Tree Mallow.

Other Garden Attractions: The big feature in the spring is the spectacular wildflower display in the back yard, started from seeds purchased from Larner Seeds. Neighbors love the cottage-style garden, and the gardener is hoping to inspire others. Visitors are encouraged to take photos and videos and post them on social media!
Hashtags:
- Tour: #gngt2017 & #goingnativegardentour
- "Next To Matadero Creek" garden: #MataderoDucky (note: the garden hashtag choice will be clear when you come to visit!)

A note from Cynthia (gardenowner/renter): "I would like to thank Marie Jasinsky of Zell Associates, the property manager, for partnering with me on the creekside ivy removal and the front garden installation. Also, many thanks to the owner who not only has let me completely renovate the landscape, but who originally suggested replacing the lawn."

Gardening for Wildlife: Creek is next to house plus two birdbaths. Many flowering natives throughout the year. Lots of CA wildflowers for nectar, seeds.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 2

Garden Size: 2200 sq.ft

Designer: EarthCare Landscaping
Installer: EarthCare Landscaping
Maintenance: Homeowner and Agi Kehoe Landscaping

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