Lot size: 15,000 sq. ft. back garden, 100% native
Garden Age: Garden was installed in stages, beginning in 2012
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 2
The walk up this steep driveway leads to a grove of forty redwood and Sequoia trees and a delicious variety of shade-loving understory plants. This peaceful garden, designed by Judith Larner Lowry, contains a delightful assortment of plants; everything from buttercups to vanilla grass to leopard lilies. Five types of fern—maidenhair, giant chain, sword, deer, and goldback—flourish here. A plethora of wildflowers, including meadowfoam, baby blue eyes, and Chinese houses, brighten the garden in spring. Hedges containing silktassel, California lilac, coffeeberry, and more form a living privacy screen.
Other Garden Attractions
- Rainwater drains into a 9,000-gallon storage tank, and is used to flush toilets and wash clothes.
- Water from the shower, sinks, and washing machine waters the vernal pool and a willow copse.
- Judith Larner Lowry of Larner Seeds will be selling her new books on edible natives—California Foraging, and The Real California Cuisine, as well as Gardening with a Wild Heart and others. Cash and checks only.
Gardening for Wildlife
Birds are attracted to this garden by the food, shelter, and nesting areas offered by the diversity of plant height (from the towering trees to shrubs and groundcovers), and the water in the vernal pool. Native bees and butterflies are drawn to the plethora of blossoms on the coyote mint, checkerbloom, aster and more.
Garden Talks
11:30 and 2:00 “The Wild Food Garden” by Judith Larner Lowry, from Larner Seeds
Plants Available
Larner Seeds will be selling seeds (naturally!) and edible native plants. Cash and checks only.
