Lot size: 900 sq. ft. front garden, 60% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in 2010
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!
Louise was tired of watering, weeding, and mowing the lawn on her large, corner lot; she wanted a low maintenance, water-conserving garden that would attract bees, birds, and butterflies. The resulting garden, designed by Olivia Kuser of Under the Greenwood Tree Garden Design and Consulting, does just that. The hardy, water-conserving plants she selected were watered just twice last year. California lilac, manzanita, coffeeberry, coast silktassle, and toyon provide greenery and structure throughout the year. The oak was planted as a seedling. Louise loves the scent of the sages, which waft on the morning breeze.
Other Garden Attractions
- Check out Louise’s water bill, which averaged $25 a month last year.
- In this “tough love” garden plants that can’t take the wind and heat—and survive in full sun, in heavy clay soil, on a minimum of water—are compost.
- Herbs are clustered near the porch.
- Wide gravel paths provide wheelchair access to the garden.
- Dense plantings and mulch outcompete most weeds. Persistent weeds, however, are addressed with…persistent weeding. No pesticides are used in this—or any—Tour garden!
Gardening for Wildlife
Hummingbirds are drawn to the fuchsias. Honeybees and native bees buzz through the garden, drawn by the California lilac.
Garden Talks
11:00 “How to garden in heavy clay soil” by Olivia Kuser