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Cedar Lane Garden
This east San Jose front yard was a blank slate when we first started. Oak woodland, grassland and coastal scrub plants were the most appropriate for the location. Our goal was to create an attractive, low maintenance, drought tolerant garden that provides curb appeal, a sense of place and wildlife habitat. The 6 images below, were taken by the homeowners. The first 3 photos were right afer the installation, in winter 2007. The next set is from summer. The garden was featured on the 5th annual Going Native Garden Tour in April, 2007.
The meandering, decomposed granite path, allows rain water to percolate and stay in the garden.
A young fremontea (aka flannel bush), highlightes the right side of the garden. California poppy and other (not yet blooming) annual wildflowers line the path.
Western redbud is the focal point on the left side garden bed. A few, well-placed rocks (reclaimed from the old landscape) add balance and complete the garden's appearance.
This photo was taken about a half year later. Deer grass begins to bloom at the edge of the garden.
The red flowers of hummingbird fuchsia provides summer color...
...and nectar for the hummers.
The images below are from October, 2007, and show how much the garden has matured in just 3 seasons. The shrubs and the grass hedge are getting nicely established. The garden is fulfilling its purpose and provides joy to the homeowners as well as inspiration to the neighbors.
The fremontea is twice as tall and receives no additional water!
The yankee point ceanothus (dark green shrubs) also doubled in size. This groundcover shrub grows to 8-10' wide, and were spaced for their mature size.
Summer blooming deer grass provides an informal hedge at the garden's perimeter. These grasses, planted from 1 gallon size containers, appear very happy in their new home.
View from the porch, with the San Bruno Mountain coffeeberry hedge.
View from the driveway. Hummingbird fuchsia is going to seed by the fremontea.