Showcase Features: During the fall of 2009 some changes were made to this small city garden to create a "more" California native garden. The front planting area, called "Mockingbird Meadow", includes a special collection of manzanitas. Of note are two 'Sunset' manzanita, a variety developed for the 75th anniversary of Sunset Magazine. In the corner climbs a 'Rodger Red' grape vine which produced most of the 86 pounds of grapes that were processed into a rich jelly and juice in 2009. A dry creek bed of Lin Creek cobbles from Lyngso Garden Materials provides drainage for the native plants during the rainy season. The side pathway has a large bay laurel tree and snowberry bush both planted by the original home owners.

"Eagle Rock Refuge", the back yard, was planted in 2004. It has a collection of sages: hummingbird, aromas, bee's bliss, amethyst bluff, Winifred Gilman, and Allen Chickering. Some of the sage prunings are used as incense and the fresh leaves for seasoning. The fruit from the lemonade berry was collected and the essence made into a delicious jelly. Another prized manzanita, the Louis Edmunds 'Serpentine' is found here with its rich chocolate colored bark and light green leaves. During the winter the 'Joyce Coulter' ceanothus is a mass of blue blossoms covering an area 9 feet by 18 feet. An interesting feature in the backyard is a man-made creek, installed to control winter-time flooding.

Other Garden Attractions: The backyard chickens provide organic plant food and clean up the snails and slugs the natural way besides providing eggs. In 2008 the garden was chosen to receive a Redwood City Mayor's "Beautification Award for Landscape Improvement".

Gardening for Wildlife: The garden has been a NWF "Backyard Wildlife Habitat" since 2005. It attracts sparrows, American goldfinch, hummingbirds, hawks, crows, mourning doves, house finch, bushtits, juncos, woodpeckers, raccoons, and squirrels. Nesting and shelter are provided with man-made nesting boxes, a redwood tree and large shrubs. The natural seeds are left on the plants for the birds to eat in addition to the hanging bird feeders. A bird bath in the front and the creek are source of water for the wild life.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 11

Garden Size: 5000 sq ft

Designer: Annaloy Nickum (front); Homeowner (back, plant design); Chachi Huiltron Landscapes (back, hardscape except pavers)
Installer: Several (will be posted at the garden).

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