Here’s how the front yard looked originally. Watch it change in the following slides.Here’s the transformation from asphalt to native habitat.The area around the streambed supports a diversity of native shrubs, perennials, and grasses.Looking back towards the street, the once-paved and uninviting space is now enclosed by a handsome fence.Visitors enter through the gate and cross a small footbridge on their way to the front door.This spectacular California native shrub, called Flannelbush, looks pretty fine against the dark fence.As the stream passes by the house, it picks up water formerly wasted by the reverse osmosis water treatment system in the nearby kitchen. This intentionally wet spot supports native wetland plants that are otherwise long gone from the local environment.Here are wild ginger and meadow rue, two beautiful native lovers of shade and water.These stepping stones were cast in place using a special method developed for this job. They are imprinted with the leaves of local sycamore and other trees.Native stream orchids, sedges, Iris, Yerba Mansa, and other species thrive in this special environment.The back yard, before. Wall-to-wall lawn was removed to make way for the new garden.Thirsty, mowing-dependent grass offered nothing of value and wasn’t much to look at either. It had to go.A small pond, an intimate patio, and a thriving native ecosystem replace the former turf.Wild Iris, Yerba Mansa, sedges, wild strawberry, and other native perennials make up the understory of this plant community.Here’s another view of the patio.The table and chairs are made of sustainably harvested Eucalyptus wood.This image looks back towards the street, which seems miles away.
