Lot size: 1,560 sq. ft back garden, 4,800 sq. ft. front and side gardens on tour, 75% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in stages, beginning in the fall of 2006
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 3
When the Detwilers, inspired by the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, decided to make changes to their back 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
- Two years after the back garden was installed, the Detwilers and Kelly worked together again to remove the front and side lawns, replacing them with a series of garden rooms.
- You’ll enjoy the shady fern garden, edible garden, and the succulent garden featuring tile accents.
- Curves and subtle changes in elevation create the illusion of more space.
- Don’t miss the “before” photos!
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.
Plants for Sale
Peter’s Plants will be selling a variety of California natives (blue and yellow-eyed grass, strawberry, ferns, and others), fruit trees (pomegranate, pear, plum and apple), figs, grapes, marionberries, and succulents.
Garden Talks
1:00 and 3:00 “How to incorporate natives into your landscape” by Kelly Marshall
Roy and Rosadelia Detwiler’s plant list
