Roy and Rosadelia Detwiler’s garden
Concord
Lot size: 1,560 sq. foot back garden on tour, 50% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in the fall of 2006.
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 2
Showcase feature: When the Detwilers, inspired by the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, decided to make changes to their garden they hired Kelly Marshall, of Kelly Marshall Garden Design. Kelly, undaunted by the existing tired Japanese garden and struggling lawn, unleashed her considerable creative powers. The resulting vibrant, unrepressed garden not only brims with color, but it also features two ponds (one with a waterfall) and a bog, which feed into each other through an artful series of channels cut through the flagstone paths separating them. Numerous seating areas are strategically scattered about; settle into one of them—you’ll want to linger in this lovely, tranquil haven.
Other garden attractions:
- Curves and subtle changes in elevation create the illusion of more space. Every inch of this compact, sunny garden is used to best advantage.
- Don’t miss the “before” photos!
- Rosadelia’s brother’s garden is also on the tour. Visit Miguel and Deborah Torres in Castro Valley if you would like to see another Kelly Marshall garden.
Gardening for Wildlife: This garden was designed to attract butterflies; plants that support both the caterpillar and winged stages of the butterfly lifecycle were chosen. When the pond was installed Pacific chorus frogs found it on their own; look for the tadpoles in the pond. Finches, wrens, doves, and hummingbirds frequent the garden. The bog attracts flocks of robins, which frolic happily in the shallow water.
Garden Talks: 11:00 "How to incorporate natives into your landscape" by Kelly Marshall