Showcase Features: In 2013, the owner converted plain Bermuda-grass lawn to a drought-tolerant landscape with an emphasis on edible California natives along wide flagstone paths between the clay mounds. A native cherry has fruit in the summer, an elderberry with tasty fruit in the fall and a toyon with fruit for the birds are focal points of the front yard with a Gowen Cypress. To provide year round color, monkey flower provides profuse display of yellow blooms until fall, red and white buckwheats bloom from spring to fall and produce edible seeds, and California fuchsia bloom from fall into winter.

Other Garden Attractions: While most of the garden enjoys full sun, shade is provided by trees for plants such as seaside daisy, California aster, gum plant, coral bells, slender cinquefoil, and purple irises. Another patch of shade along the fence has gooseberries and a big berry manzanita with edible berries. Soap plants provide cleaning for native Americans.

Gardening for Wildlife: The plants were selected to attract wildlife by providing sources of nectar, fruit, and shelter. Hummingbirds love the California fuchsia and penstemon. Butterflies and native bees are attracted by the wooly blue curls, buckwheats and other flowers throughout the year. The golden currant provides flowers for pollinators then fruit for birds.

☺ Garden Talk: 1:00PM - Edible California Native Plants

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 12

Garden Size: 840 sq ft

Designer: Homeowner
Installer: Homeowner

Click here to display the plant list in a printer-friendly format.