Liz Simpson Garden Design

Gardens on Tour 2012

2012-01-20T12:51:00.000-08:00

Please join us on the 2012 Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour!

This year, three gardens I designed in Oakland will be open to visit on Sunday, May 6th from 10am - 6pm. I will be in the Katz Family Garden all day sharing the garden, answering questions, and giving two special talks at 12 and 3pm.

The tour is free and self guided - simply register on the tour's website:

Registration for the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour

Spread the word to anyone who loves gardens. Looking forward to sharing these special gardens with you!

See the gardens here:

Katz Family Garden

Janette and Mary's Garden

Rita Huralt's Garden

Article

2011-04-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

Wen's Garden is featured in the SF Chronicle:

Read the article and view a slideshow here

Garden on Tour

2011-04-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

Come Join me in this beautiful garden that will be on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour. The tour is free and self guided - all you need to do is register on the tour website to receive a garden guide. Hope to see you May 1st!

Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour

Spread the Word to anyone who loves gardens!

Play Garden

2010-05-22T00:41:00.000-07:00

Little Owen Who plays in this garden calls me "Garden Teacher Liz".

The garden was designed with curving paths to invite exploration.

A native meadow is nestled in the heart of the garden as an alternative play space to a traditional lawn.

Seasonal wildflower show of Bird's Eye Gilia and Poppies.

Tall Deer Grass flower stalks and a windmill move in the wind, adding an extra kinetic quality to the garden.

Rock Garden

2009-06-22T01:28:00.000-07:00

Native Succulents

2009-06-22T01:02:00.000-07:00

Most succulents are grown for their striking foliage, but some, such as this charming Lewisia also produce lovely flowers.
Two native Dudleyas make a stunning pair nestled among stones with a local Sedum from Oaktown Native Nursery for contrast.

http://www.oaktownnativenursery.info/

Succulents can create a bold statement of color and form in the low water garden.

This bluff lettuce was grown by Cal Flora Nursery. http://www.calfloranursery.com/

Photograph featured in the Contra Costa Times

2009-04-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

Check out this article in the Contra Costa Times that features one of my photographs promoting the use of natives in home landscapes:

http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_12115805?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com

Mimulus hybrid

2009-04-02T13:53:00.001-07:00

Penstemon heterophyllus

2009-04-02T13:52:00.001-07:00

This penstemon began my love affair with california native plants. The subtle, purple-blue flowers are irresistible.

Monkey Flower and Penstemon

2009-04-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

Soft orange monkey flower and iridescent purple penstemon make a splendid pair. They put on a long show together starting as soon as the weather warms up in spring as part of a dry, sunny border planting.

2009-04-02T13:50:00.000-07:00

2009-04-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

Betty Brodeia

2009-04-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

Betty helping to take a portrait of Brodiea californica, a lovely bulb native to grasslands.

North Garden View

2009-04-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

South Garden View

2009-04-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

Humming bird with Salvia spathacea

2009-04-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

A hummingbird indulges in the sweet nectar offered by magenta hummingbird sage.

Purple Finch

2009-04-02T13:23:00.000-07:00

A bird takes a moment to bathe and take a sip of water.

Pond Detail

2009-04-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

Detail of dry-stack stone encircling water reflecting nearby poppies.

Water Feature

2009-04-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

Poppies and lupine create an inviting entrance, framing a basalt water feature and pond surrounded with a with stone and gravel pathway. The gentle sound of water attracts wildlife and people.

Wildflower Meadow

2009-04-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

Purple nodding needle grass elegantly sways in the wind enlivening a wildflower meadow. The annual wildflowers self-seed, returning each spring with no extra irrigation to put on a showy display that changes from year to year. This spring the show begins early with a cheerful moment of 'five-spot' sparkling in a sea of red and orange poppies. Later purple 'bird's eye gilia' and pink 'farewell-to-spring' provide the finale through late summer. Lupine and fragrant hummingbird sage act as the backdrop.

2009-04-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

Phacelia viscida

2009-04-02T12:38:00.000-07:00

Stylomecon heterophylla "Wind Poppy"

2009-04-02T12:34:00.000-07:00