Lot size: 1,700 sq. ft. front garden, 90% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in December of 2007
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 3
Inspired by the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, Ward and Pat hired Middlebrook Gardens to design and install a low-water, low-maintenance garden in place of their water- and energy-demanding lawn. The native garden reduced their water bill considerably (compare the water bills Ward will have on display). Now that the natives are established summer water has been greatly reduced. The garden includes a variety of plants suitable for this hot area including manzanita, coffeeberry, fuchsia, buckwheat, California lilac, and monkeyflower.
Other Garden Attractions
- Burbling fountain near the front door provides the welcome sound of falling water, soothing to people and attractive to wildlife.
- Ward and Pat receive a lot of compliments on the garden from their neighbors.
- The back garden, home to a magnificent oak and dotted with shade-loving natives, will also be open for viewing.
- Saunter over to next-door neighbor Colleen Clark’s garden, which is also on the tour. (Colleen and Ward share a corner; their houses are adjacent.)
Gardening for Wildlife
Birds love to drink from, splash about, and bathe in the three fountains in this garden. The native fuchsia attracts hummingbirds. Bees buzz the buckwheats, sages, and California lilacs.
Garden Talk
Alrie Middlebrook will be available throughout the day to discuss how she and her staff worked with Ward and Pat to design the garden, review the challenges they encountered, and describe the merits of the plants that were installed. Bring photos of your own gardens to obtain design advice and plant recommendations!
Native Plants for Sale
Middlebrook Nursery will sell native plants that do well hot, dry inland areas. Don’t hesitate to ask for suggestions!
