Story Book Cottage Garden – Front Yard

Inspiration for this charming garden came from one of the homeowner’s favorite children’s picture books, The Napping House, by Audrey Wood.

The retired Montessori teacher wanted to create separation between her relatively shallow front yard and busy residential street, which is often packed with parked cars for neighbors and nearby businesses. But she still wanted to present a welcoming entry, rather than installing hedges or towering trees.

We planted a 3-foot-wide strip of native bentgrass along the curb to allow for the swing of car doors (there are no sidewalks), installed a new white picket fence, and poured a new concrete and brick driveway just out of view. We shaped a long berm to add height to the plants and create an illusion of privacy for the front windows. And we freshened up and widened the concrete entry by adding a row of vintage bricks to each side.

Birds, bees and butterflies now work their way through the pollen and nectar-filled garden. White Iceberg and Pink Home Run roses command attention, as do such natives as seaside daisy, bush anemone, California fuchsia, toyon and low-growing ceanothus, along with water-conserving pink and blue-blooming sages, lamb’s ears, lavender and vibrant yellow bidens and pincushion flower.