Lot size: 400 square foot front, 200 sq ft parking strip, 100 sq foot side gardens on tour, 100% native
Garden Age: native garden was installed in 2002
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 5
Plant list Showcase feature
This small, charming garden, designed and installed by Debbie, is a riot of color in the spring. Milkweed, clarkias, buckwheat, and yarrow reseed and move about the garden at will, creating changes Debbie hadn’t expected. This pleases Debbie, who “didn’t want a lawn, and did want plants that would grow with little attention paid to them.” A lush California grape climbs gracefully up the porch rail and across the front of the house.
Other garden attractions
- Wondering what to do with your parking strip? Take a gander at this gorgeous one.
- Debbie removed the lawn, and built up a small berm, which provides the drainage most natives need.
- Great “before“ photos.
- Sacrificial milkweed plants are left for the aphids (which bring in birds).
- Check out the fragrant sage in this garden.
Gardening for Wildlife
Debbie reports an invasion of butterflies—buckeye, monarch, skipper, and painted lady; they are attracted to the abundance of flowers in her vibrantly flower-filled front garden. Hummingbirds love the many fuschias, penstemons, and monkeyflowers. Leaf cutter bees visit the parking strip to gnosh on the redbud leaves. In the morning, flocks of sparrows chatter in the closely woven branches of sages.
