Beverly Cheney and Avrum Gratch's garden
Berkeley
Garden Lot size: About one acre, 50% native
Years gardened at this location (Gardening Experience): Native garden was installed in 2003.
Years on the "Bringing Back the Natives" Garden Tour: New this year!
Showcase feature: Various views of this beautiful, peaceful, woodland garden unfold as you ascend the long, winding flight of stairs that lead up to the house. The shady hillside, once covered with ivy and periwinkle, is now a pleasing mix of snowberry, currants, ferns, and Douglas iris. Further up in the garden a gentle slope that receives dappled shade is planted with deergrass, Douglas iris, and Mediterranean plants. The level area near the beautiful 1906 home features expansive gravel paths interspersed with attractive island beds, and several inviting seating areas. Large moss rock boulders frame the stone steps leading down to the terrace. This tranquil garden was designed by Michael Thilgen and installed by Four Dimensions Landscape Company.
Other garden attractions:
- Chemical-free gardening is possible on large lots (as well as small ones!). The owners, who have lived here for 30 years and do most of the garden maintenance themselves, have never used pesticides in this garden.
- Beverly, who had initially not been interested in natives, and is now a “total believer” is thrilled with the how the garden turned out.
- The herd of deer that used to graze the garden (mercilessly, even eating the Bird of Paradise) have been excluded by a mesh fence and urban cattle guard.
Gardening for Wildlife: Butterflies, birds, snakes, and skunks call this garden home. Hawks soar overhead.