Pollinator Paradise

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Garden Features

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Drought Tolerant

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Edible Garden

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California Natives

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Drip Irrigation

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Pesticide Free

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Rainwater Harvesting System

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Smart Irrigation Controller

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Lawn Conversion

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Lawn-Free Landscaping

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Permeable Surfaces

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Urban Homestead

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Wildlife Habitat

Partner: Santa Rosa Water

What was once nearly 2,000 sq.ft. of lawn was transformed into a water wise pollinator’s paradise with meandering paths, raised beds, new trees, many flowering plants, cacti, edible landscaping (fruit trees, a bay leaf tree, blueberry and raspberry bushes, pomegranate tree) and new non-fruiting trees and bushes.

We needed to remove the existing lawn and then the adobe soil was augmented with a very good topsoil that was mounded to provide a good basis for the plants. Drain lines were installed from the downspouts and the rainwater is collected in underground “wells” that then leach out into the landscape. A new flagstone entryway was installed along with permeable flagstone and gravel pathways in both the front and side yards. The rear yard has a large water permeable gravel area that features a firepit seating area. Cafe lights were hung in the patio and over the backyard gravel entertaining area for illumination. A separate switch turns on a small fountain next to the seating area. The backdrop to the conversation area are two espaliered fruit trees, a 6-in-1 apple and a Meyer Lemon. Behind that is decorative fencing that doubles as the backdrop to the conversation pit area and the beginning of the chicken run.

The landscape features multiple seating/conversation areas, night lighting that provides dramatic illumination of the paths and garden features, and whimsical decorating touches. What was once a rather boring landscape is now an oasis that is inviting and welcoming to both human and wildlife residents and visitors (bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, other birds, and an ocassional possum). The entire landscape is on a new drip system with four irrigation zones controlled by a smart irrigation timer.

The landscape was designed by Sawyer Landscapes and Susie Dowd Markarian.

Plants in this Garden

Plant Picker

Achillea spp & cvs

Yarrow
Organization

Yarrows are variable low-growing, spreading herbaceous perennials with finely divided leaves that inhabit many temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere. Flattish clusters of flowers form in spring and well into summer and provide an important nectar source for pollinators and insects. Yarrow can help to stabilize slopes and is a good addition to the upper level of rain gardens and swales. Colors include yellow, pink, and red.

California native spp & cvs: A. millefolium (common yarrow), A. m. ‘Calistoga’, A. m. ‘Island Pink’, A. m. ‘Sonoma Coast’, A. m. ‘Terracotta’.

Other yarrows: A. filipendulina (fern leaf yarrow), A. f. ‘Coronation Gold’, A. ‘Moonshine’, A. tomentosa (woolly yarrow).

  • Water: Low
  • Light: Full SunPartial Shade
  • Soil: Most Soils
sweet smelling Agastache flowers come in many colors this one is magenta red and yellow

Agastache spp

Hyssop, Licorice Mint
Organization

Shrubby perennial in the mint family with aromatic gray-green leaves from southern Arizona and northern Mexico. Tubular orange and lavender flowers from midsummer to fall. Can be short-lived in clay soils.

  • Water: Low
  • Light: Full SunPartial Shade
  • Soil: Well Drained
Strawberry tree

Arbutus spp & hybrids

Arbutus, Strawberry Tree
Organization

Group of evergreen trees and large shrubs with attractive foliage and bark, small urn-shaped flowers, and reddish fruit. Prefer sunny locations and well-drained soil. A. ‘Marina’ (20-30’ – 15-30’) and A. unedo (strawberry tree, 15-30’ x 15-30’) are most commonly planted in California landscapes, either as multi-stemmed or single-stemmed, large shrubs or trees. While the two trees are similar in appearance, A. ‘Marina’ has cinnamon-brown shedding bark, whereas the bark of A. unedo is more brown. A. menziesii (madrone, 20-100’) is native to the west coast of North America, including the foothills of Sonoma and Marin counties. A. menziesii is less common in landscapes as it is notoriously difficult to establish.

  • Water: Low
  • Light: Full SunPartial Shade
  • Soil: Well Drained
Callistemon bottle brush with pink flowers

Callistemon spp & cvs

Bottlebrush
Organization

Popular Australian evergreen shrub or small tree attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees typically for bright red flowers that resemble a bottle brush. Flowering begins in spring and continues into fall. Bottlebrush will tolerate many garden conditions and exposures and is tolerant of dry conditions once established. Shrub varieties can be pruned to an informal hedge or be left to show their natural shape.

Examples: Lemon bottlebrush (C. citrinus, 6-12’ x 8-12’) is the most commonly grown species in California. Weeping bottlebrush (C. viminalis, 20’ x 15’) has pendulous branches. C. viminalis ‘Little John’ (3-5’ x 4-6’) is a low-growing, mounding form with deep red flowers that is popular as a foundation or accent plant.

  • Water: Low
  • Light: Full SunPartial Shade
  • Soil: Well Drained

Lomandra longifolia

Mat Rush
Organization

Clumping, grass-like Australian evergreen perennial that grows 4-5’ tall and wide. Adapted to various soil and sun exposure conditions. Flowers in spring and into summer with fragrant clusters of smaller yellow flowers. L. l. ‘Breeze’ is a smaller cultivar that grows 2-3’.

  • Water: Low
  • Light: Full SunPartial Shade
  • Soil: Well Drained

Salvia spp

Sage
Organization

Salvias are a huge group of more than 900 species that include annuals, perennials, and shrubs adapted to a variety of climates and have varying water requirements. Salvias are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, and are generally ignored by deer. Sages that are native to California are generally drought-tolerant, prefer full sun, and little to no fertilizer. Annual pruning in late summer or fall generally helps to keep plants tidy and healthy.

CA native sages:

  • S. apiana, white sage (3-4’ x 4-6’), silvery-white, aromatic leaves with tall flower spikes of white flowers, popular for honey production and in bundles as a natural incense.
  • ‘Bee’s Bliss’ (1-2’ x 6-8’), superb, light gray groundcover with light purple flowers on long spikes; damp conditions can cause mildew which will clear with warm weather and sunny conditions.
  • S. clevelandii, Cleveland sage (3-5’ x 3-5’), medium-sized shrub for hot, dry locations known for pleasant fragrance and deep blue whorls of flowers; popular cultivars include S. c. ‘Allen Chickering’, S. c. ‘Pozo Blue’, and S. c. ‘Winnifred Gilman’.
  • S. leucophylla, purple sage, includes plants with both an upright growth habit, such as S. l. ‘Amethyst Bluff’ (3-5’ x 3-5’) and others with a sprawling form, such as S. l. ‘Point Sal’ (2-3’ x 6’), both of which are from Santa Barbara county.
  • S. sonomaensis, Sonoma sage (1-2’ x 3-4’), groundcover that prefers light shade and will not tolerate damp conditions; cultivars include S. s. ‘Dara’s Choice’, S. s. ‘Greenberg Gray’, and S. s. ‘Hobbit Toes’.
  • S. spathacaea, hummingbird sage (1-2’ spreading), herbaceous groundcover that grows well in dry shade and spreads slowly by underground rhizomes; large leaves have a wonderful fruity fragrance; the only red-flowered native sage.
  • S. mellifera, black sage (6′ x 10′), evergreen shrub that grows well in full sun and well drained soils. Dark green leaves with pale purple flowers in late spring and early summer.

Non-native sages:

  • S. chamaedryoides, germander sage (2-3’)
  • S. chiapensis, Chiapas sage (1-2’ x 3-4’)
  • S. greggii, autumn sage (1-4’ x 1-4’)
  • S. leucantha, Mexican bush sage (3-4’ x 3-6’)
  • S. microphylla, cherry sage (3-4’ x 3-6’)
  • S. officinalis, garden sage (1-3’ x 1-3’)
  • Water: Very LowLowModerate
  • Light: Full SunPartial Shade
  • Soil: Well Drained

Favorite Plants

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The Mexican Sage

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Salvia - Violet Riot

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Milkweed

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Pacific Coast Iris

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Helianthemum

Favorite Garden Suppliers

Prickett's Nursery

5875 Sonoma Highway Santa Rosa

Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery

3244 Gravenstein Highway North Sebastopol

Urban Tree Farm

3010 Fulton Road Fulton

Recommended Resources

Gardening Tips

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If you're doing an overhaul or starting from scratch

I found it very useful to work with a landscape designer to get concept plans. I was clear that I wanted some natives and a place for pollinators and Susie really helped me design a beautiful space with a variety of plants that all work well together. Otherwise, it might have turned out willy nilly, which can be ok too. 🙂

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Don't be afraid to jump in and get started!

If something dies or doesn’t work for the space it’s changeable. I had some of the original plants die and I planted new and different ones that I really loved in their place to get more of some I really liked and some different textures/colors.

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If you have a kitchen garden (veggies)...

Research vertical gardening.  You can really maximize your space by going “up” versus “out.”  Learn about companion plantings too.