Showcase Features: Recycled urbanite and brick pathways, an urbanite patio and a unique style of water permeable driveway highlights the new hardscaping elements of this professionally designed garden, predominantly landscaped with native plants.

Other Garden Attractions: The front garden's mound was built using extra soil during the construction and is supported by a beautiful, serpentine shaped, dry stack wall, accented by John Dourley manzanita. The mound is decorated with a leafy reed grass meadow, punctuated with narrow-leaved milkweed. Bee's bliss sage and Carmel Sur manzanita edge the front urbanite pathway which borders a newly constructed porch before it connects to the back garden. The lower part of the front yard features a valley oak, underplanted with hummingbird sage and pigeon point coyote brush. California goldenrod and fuchsia and coast aster provide summer colors. California fescue, blue-eyed grass, and Ithuriel's spear bulbs thrive under a mature liquidambar city tree. Leatherleaf coffeeberry and a dark star ceanothus provide a natural hedge along the west property line, while carpenteria does this duty on the east side.

In the back garden, a retaining wall edges the back fence, creating a raised bed that is planted with toyon, Ray Hartman ceanothus, snowberry, Douglas iris, and pink coral bells. Roger's red wild grape trails the side fence, while the center of the garden features a recently constructed, mossy mason stone raised bed with St. Catherine's lace and red flowered buckwheat, blue-eyed grass, and hairy gum plant. Foothill penstemon, Idahoe fescue, yarrow, seaside daisy, coyote mint, and goldenrod provide additional color and texture. The shady areas are enjoyed by yerba buena, espaliered evergreen currant, Canyon Snow iris, and western sword fern. A meandering gold fines path, accented by a stone birdbath, connects to the urbanite patio and provides easy access.

Gardening for Wildlife: The garden was designed to provide habitat for various birds, butterflies, bumble bees and other insects. Food, shelter and places to raise young are all present. A bird bath and a circulating fountain supply fresh water.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 3

Garden Size: 4100 sq ft

Designer: Agi Kehoe
Installer: Original: Earthcare Landscaping, Back yard upgrade by Benz's Landscaping & Tree Care

Click here to download the plant list in PDF format (from year 2010).