Showcase Features: This eye-catching front garden is a delight for the owner and the many birds and pollinators that come to visit. The owner removed a lawn, birch trees, agapanthus, and other non-natives and created visual interest year round in difficult clay soil. A mature blue elderberry blooms in spring, gives berries in late summer. Year round, the well chosen foliage contrasts provide visual interest, for example, the combination of green leaved ceanothus, the light-green leaves of ceanothus 'Diamond Heights' and the grayish large salvia are a pleasing combination. A native grape adorns the low fence, while a California native currant provides welcome color in late fall and winter. In the shade near the house, plantings of Iris, coral bells, and a toyon give a lush green feeling year round.

Other Garden Attractions: Colorful perennials including wooly blue curl, monkey flower, and buckwheat, combined with a riot of California poppies make this garden stand out in the neighborhood.

Gardening for Wildlife: Many birds, hummingbirds, and even salamanders show that this garden is truly a wildlife paradise. A birdbath offers water for the many visitors.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 5

Garden Size: 2600 sq ft

Designer: Owner (initial help from Annaloy Nickum)
Installer: Owners

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