The clients had a very clear view of what they wanted, and were already gardening with California native plants. They asked me for guidance with design and plant choices to attract bees, butterflies, and birds.

First, I suggested adding more levels to the existing mounded areas, and brought in more rock for definition.  We decided to keep the non-native blue sage which was flourishing, as well as the rose climbing the front of the house.  We added hummingbird sage, huckleberry, coffeeberry, Ceanothus, ground cover, and succulents. After the install,  I sprinkled native annual wild flower seed around.  A Redbud tree acts as a screen for a seating area in the middle of the garden, where the clients can sit on Redwood stumps and watch the wildlife and birds visiting the bird bath.

The garden was featured on the 2016 Bringing Back the Natives Garden tour.  It is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation