Showcase Features: This large, professionally designed garden has inspiring ideas for everyone. The well-established front yard fully uses a corner lot with wildflower areas, a California native bunch grass meadow, meandering paths, and mature specimens of manzanita, toyon, Fremontodendron, and oak trees. A dry creek bed and a recycled washtub fountain anchor the design while a natural boulder bench allows the owners to sit and enjoy the garden.The backyard design by Julie Orr transformed a dominating, unused swimming pool and traditional lawn into a water-wise garden containing a small pond with natural-rock fountain, eight interior and peripheral native plant beds, and a riparian rain garden that collects storm water from the home's downspouts. Walking paths meander among the beds past the pond through a sitting area under a shade arbor to raised planter beds for vegetables and roses.

Other Garden Attractions: Two large entry manzanitas, trio of canyon oaks, Santa Cruz Island ironwood, and a concrete washtub fountain. The entire yard has about 200 varieties of native plants. The garden continues to evolve. As trees grow, shade increases, so the owners have put in more shade loving plants. Some plants have declined or died as part of their natural cycle, and they have been replaced.

Gardening for Wildlife: This is a Certified Wildlife Habitat. The abundant native plants, dense shrubs, a woodpile, and bird and bee houses provide shelter and nesting spots. Seeds, berries, and insects provide food, while the pond and washtub fountain supply fresh water. Songbirds, hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees are abundant.

☺ Garden Talk: All-day - Learn about preventing water pollution in our creeks. Visit with local Stormwater Pollution Prevention Agency staff members from the West Valley Clean Water Program (for the Cities of Campbell, Monte Sereno, Saratoga and Town of Los Gatos); they will be on site with displays and hand-outs. 11:00 and 2:00 – Join staff for a hands-on demonstration of the Enviroscape model (used in local classrooms), showing how water moves through our watershed, and the importance of rain gardens and bio-swales in helping to handle water pollution. Great for kids AND adults. 1:00 Taking out a lawn with minimal stress - Homeowner

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 15

Garden Size: 11000 sq ft

Designer: Julie Orr (back), Homeowners (front)
Installer: Modern Landscaping (back), Jose Martinez (front)

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