Showcase Features: This professionally designed, small front yard showcases a native garden under the dappled shade of a mature ash tree. One straight, fully paved path and one meandering path (both of local Mariposa slate) guide visitors through the garden to the front entrance of the deck. Cal stone pavers provide extra drainage on the lower half of the driveway.

Other Garden Attractions: Native strawberry and island snapdragon accent the trunk of the ash tree. An evergreen carpenteria hedge flanking the edge of the front yard's deck is developing into a privacy screen as the shrubs mature. The right side of the main path is lined with coffeeberry bushes accented by the true native foothil sedge (Carex tumulicola). Pink-flowering currant, vine maple, Oregon grape, western sword fern, island alum root and Douglas iris enjoy the dappled shade. Color and interest are maintained throughout the year with berries, leaves and varying flowering dates.

Gardening for Wildlife: Berries, pollen and nectar provide food for bees, butterflies and birds and the native shrubs offer shelter for visiting wildlife.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 5

Garden Size: 1600 sq ft

Designer: Sherri Osaka, Sustainable Landscaping Designs
Installer: Stephanie Curtis, Curtis Horticulture

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