Play Garden

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

Native Succulents

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

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

Penstemon heterophyllus

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

Monkey Flower and Penstemon

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.

Betty Brodeia

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

North Garden View

South Garden View

Humming bird with Salvia spathacea

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

Purple Finch

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

Pond Detail

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

Water Feature

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

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.

Phacelia viscida

Stylomecon heterophylla "Wind Poppy"