Showcase Features: Don't be fooled by the conventional lawn in front of the house. The back garden has been completely transformed with natives. In 2012, this native retreat was a lawn infested with Bermuda grass. Now a brick paved seating area provides a vantage point to watch birds and insects among the native shrubs and grasses. The plants include deer grass, eriogonums, salvia, manzanita, native currants and an elderberry, along with edibles and a California grape. This water-thrifty landscape is only watered every 2 to 3 weeks.

Other Garden Attractions: Reclamation of the yard continues. Part of the side fence has been cleared of ivy and planted with native honeysuckle. Another large section of ivy is undergoing removal. In spring 2014 natives will replace the parking strip plants. Eventually the homeowner plans to transform the entire front yard to native plantings. Seeing this midpoint in the transformation process will be inspirational for those contemplating going native in their own yards.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 2

Garden Size: 822 sq ft

Designer: Howeowner
Installer: Homeowner

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