Showcase Features: Two years ago the homeowner began converting a tired juniper/lawn combo front yard to a garden featuring an impressive collection of native wildflowers and shrubs. Jays planted the large native oaks that shelter the side. A large non-native abelia will be removed when the young native shrubs are big enough. A Louis Edmunds manzanita and a Ceanothus arboreus will become new focal points as they mature. Other shrubs include California flannel bush, western elderberry, island mallow, California sagebrush, mountain mahogany, western redbud, various manzanitas, California buckwheats and woolly blue curls. In spring the sunny areas blaze with wildflowers: five different kinds of lupine, gilia, blue flax, clarkia, phacelia, monkey flowers and others. Bee's bliss sage and lessingia 'Silver Carpet' are blooming ground covers. In a shady area western columbine and mimulus cardinalis mix with native ferns. Don't miss this incredibly colorful DIY front yard!

Other Garden Attractions: Many new plants in this collector's garden were propagated by the homeowner from cuttings and seeds. Newest propagation efforts are two new Buckeyes, a bunch of Buckwheat, 4 Ribes speciosum, coyote mint and dessert mallow as well as others. Another highlight of the garden is a recently planted variegated snowberry.

Gardening for Wildlife: Two valley oaks, coastal live oak, and interior live oak provide food and shelter for wildlife. Anna's hummingbirds, scrub jays, mockingbirds, titmice, red tail hawks, and occasional red shouldered hawk have been seen in the garden.

☺ Garden Talk: Plants and pollinators.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 5

Garden Size: 12,500 sq ft

Designer: Homeowner
Installer: Homeowner

Click here to display the plant list in a printer-friendly format (from year 2012).