Lot size: 1,200 sq. ft. front, 5,430 sq. ft. back gardens, 80% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in January, 2010
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 2
Christine, owner of the landscaping company GardenWise Landscapes, had her work cut out for her when she bought this house a few years ago. Undaunted by the uninteresting front lawn, and the weedy back yard, (don’t miss the “before” photos!) Christine got to work. The gardens now contain only plants that provide food for wildlife or people. In the back garden gently curving decomposed granite paths bordered by urbanite retaining walls (the former concrete patios) wend their way to the bottom of the slope. Inviting seating areas are scattered about. Pull up a chair and rest a while—you won’t want to leave this peaceful oasis.
Other Garden Attractions [SinglePic not found]
- The soothing sound of water splashing into the pond attracts both wildlife and people.
- A flock of silky bantam, gold laced Wyandotte, Plymouth barred rock, and Rhode Island reds reside happily in their custom-made hen house.
- Twenty-two types of fruit, including cherry, pineapple guava, fig, peach, pear, persimmon, and plum, have been planted on terraces in the back garden.
- The arbors were built from wood salvaged from a demolished raised pool structure.
Gardening for Wildlife
Bird houses, old logs, dry stacked walls (the lizards love these), rocks, and a pond provide shelter, nesting areas, and water for wildlife. Pipevine swallowtail, brown elfin, hedgerow hairstreak, and echo blue butterflies, to name a few, have been seen in the garden. A red sharp-tailed snake passes through the back garden, and a great blue heron visits the pond occasionally. Nearly 40 species of birds have been seen in, or above, this garden.
