Gabriele and Don Briggs' garden

Richmond

Garden Lot size: 1,300 sq. ft. back garden only on tour, 95% native

Years gardened at this location (Gardening Experience): Garden was planted in the winter of 2006.

Years on the "Bringing Back the Natives" Garden Tour: New this year!

Showcase feature: During Gabriele’s morning hikes in the hills it dawned on her that gardening with natives that belong here just made sense. So, she thought, did growing her own fruits and vegetables. So out went the Bermuda grass and privet trees, and in came Rick Alatorre of Alatorre Garden design, who brought in 23 yards of mulch and a host of natives of varying heights selected to provide color throughout the year. Now an eclectic mix of fruit trees and natives—such as hazel nut and coast silk tassel—line the fence, providing some shade and a screen from the neighbors. Coffeeberry and several kinds of manzanita will provide structure throughout the year. Delicate white tar weeds frame the steps leading from the deck into the garden.

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Other garden attractions:

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Gardening for Wildlife: Native bees and honey bees, as well as skippers and swallowtail butterflies appeared in the garden once the lawn came out and the natives went it. Hummingbirds love the hummingbird sage. Masses of yampah (the native host plant of the anise swallowtail butterfly) wait hopefully for the butterflies they were designed to attract.

Plant list

More photos