Lot size: 7,000 sq. ft. back garden, 65% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in the fall of 2012
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!
Carrie wanted a low maintenance and water-conserving garden with a casual look; something that seemed like it belonged in a native oak forest. The team at Four Dimensions Landscape Company, which designed and installed the rear garden in this unexpectedly deep lot, was up for the challenge. Follow the meandering path up the hill to discover a sequence of enjoyable garden spaces. The lawn that struggled under the shade of the redwood and oak trees was replaced by an inviting seating area surrounded by ferns, coral bells, and currants. Further back and up the slope, on a terrace in a sunny area, is a productive vegetable garden and a small orchard containing fig, persimmon, and apple trees. Keep going, and exploring! Near the top of the garden, in front of the charming converted chicken coop, is a small native bunchgrass lawn (Festuca rubra) and views to the pleasant hillside neighborhood. Watch your step on the stairs in this garden; some of them are old and uneven.
Other Garden Attractions
- Netafim, a microdrip irrigation system, is used to water the garden.
- Enjoy the whimsical art pieces in this frog-themed garden.
- Make yourself comfortable in one of the many seating areas in this garden and enjoy this tranquil setting.
Gardening for Wildlife
Bees buzz the aster; hummingbirds are frequent visitors.
Talks in the Garden
11:00 and 1:00 “How to select an irrigation system for native plants: materials, irrigation schedule, and installation tips” by a staff member from the Urban Farmer
Music in the Garden
Ensemble Pomposo will play Baroque music on original instruments (oboe, flute, recorder, bassoon, and a harpsichord) from 2:00 to 3:00
