Showcase Features: The owners decided to replace the traditional landscaping with lawn and transition to an all-California native design by Sherri Osaka in order to save water and reduce their maintenance. Both the front and back were included, so the owners' son could get married in the garden in the spring of 2017.
The front view includes a new brick pathway, guest parking space, low wall, and small deck around an existing maple. The existing sparse lawn was removed and replaced by colorful shrubs and perennials, to become more inviting. A newly added path, partially made of decomposed granite and partially of bricks, spaced to allow the rainwater to drain into the ground, divides the front yard into several islands and provides access to enjoy the new plantings. Near the street, on the right-hand side, a large, pre-existing live oak, Catalina currants are beginning to take hold and will eventually spread into an evergreen ground cover, joining the low-growing Ceanothus 'Yankee Point', hairy goldenaster and Humboldt County fuchsia that provide nearly year-round display of color. A center island between the path and driveway is planted with more hairy goldenaster and Epilobium, transiting to low-growing buckwheats. A Box elder, still small, will become an eye-catching focal point.
Towards the house, a large clump of deer grass is currently the focal point, but will be eclipsed in the future by a desert willow, which should provide a display of hummingbird-attracting flowers in the late spring of 2018. Closer to the house, the plants transition to the shade-tolerant pacific coast irises and ground-covering manzanita 'Big Sur.' Two mature toyons across the driveway display an abundance of red berries in the fall.
The side yard, close to the garage and the laundry, is irrigated with a gray water system, keeping the California bush anemone, Golden and Pink-flowering currants, and Oregon grapes happy all summer long.
In the backyard, the pre-existing non-native trees were retained, as they provide high shade under which a variety of pacific coast irises, coral bells, and low-growing, golden-leaved Ceanothus 'Diamond Heights' have found their home. Buckwheats, including locally native Eriogonum fasciculatum, woolly sunflower, Salvia 'Bee's Bliss' and Verbena lilacina 'De La Mina' are planted in more sunny spots. Coffeberries and currants are planted near the side fence. A small deck provides a view of the hills at the high-point of the garden, and a fountain and arbor provides a focal point and a good place to take marriage vows!

Other Garden Attractions: In the back, a large gazebo provides area for outdoor entertaining. A flagstone path winds it way to a vegetable garden and a rustic toolshed.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 2

Garden Size: 7,000 sq.ft.

Designer: Sherri Osaka, Sustainable Landscape Designs
Installer: Earthcare Landscaping

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