Historical Gallery

The gardens listed here were part of previous tours, but are not participating this year and we want to thank them once again for their participation.

Krystle and Mark's Garden:

Inspired by the horticulture landscape at Disneyland's Frontierland, these native plants create a habitat for butterflies, bees, and pollinators. Garden design elements include a bioswale and irregular rocks. South Bay Curb Appeal created a lush and wild garden where it is easy to see the plants' natural rhythms change every year.

Plant List:
Diamond Heights Carmel Creeper, Moonshine Yarrow, Mountain Yarrow, Buzz Midnight Butterfly Bush, Sundrops, Black and Bloom Salvia, Coral Groundcover Aloe, Yellow Indian Mallow, Apricot Mallow, Mojave Buckwheat, Conejo Buckwheat, Blackfoot Daisy, Damianita Daisy, Point Sal Purple Sage, Salvia, Milkweed, Poppies

The Garcia Garden:

The garden was created back in 2004.
The front yard consists of climate appropriate plants which include: Cycads, Guara, anemone, scheflera, protea.
A variety of pondless waterfalls grace the front yard. These save water by not allowing an open space of water to evaporate. Water is drawn from an underground cistern.

Backyard plants:
Cycads,aeoniums, Euphorbia, phoenix palms, buddleia, pittosporum, Bamboo multiplex, encephalartos, kalanchoes.

The backyard has a Koi pond, and waterfalls and also houses a 4000 gallon rainwater harvesting system which catches rainwater and saves it for future irrigation use. This landscaper's latest passion would be his commercial and self-built aeroponics gardens. Mike also gives talks on vertical gardening and growing vegetables with recycled water. Check out the "floating" vegetable garden in the Koi pond.

Kathy's Garden:

This garden was started in 2013 after attending a free class by the Water Replenishment District of Southern California. They removed over a third of their water thirsty lawn and replaced it with a vibrant water wise garden.

A neighbor who is a stone mason, offered stones from his maintenance yard which were used to build a stone wall and a swale.

Plant List:Peppermint Tree, Bird of Paradise, Red Yucca, Yarrow, Lantana, Grevilleas, Dudleyas, Echeverias, Sticks on Fire, Sedum, Coleonema Album, Aeonium Sunburst

Sisson Garden:

Nestled among a tree-lined North Torrance neighborhood, this front yard scape boasts an eclectic mix of cactus, succulents and flowers as well as a relaxing, comfortable seating area.

Mixed in with the vegetation are antique relics of the past and whimsical windmills. Designed and constructed by the owners, this water wise yard scape, only two years old, began with dirt and 6000 pounds of flat stone, creating the seating area and pathways.

The plants and trees are all watered with a timed soaker-spray system to minimize water usage. Along the north side, follow the stone path to see an apple tree, blueberries and milkweed. Out front, the parkway is covered with dymondia for a nice looking, low maintenance entrance. At the far end, visit our “Little Free Library” where you can take a book / leave a book. Have a seat on the small reading bench and enjoy

Please stop by and chat with the owners for more information.

Steve's Garden:

In 2008 this front yard was a sloping lawn which was killed off and rototilled. This 4,000 sq. foot garden is now composed of four interconnected ponds and two waterfalls and a drip irrigation system. About 90% of the garden is native or drought tolerant.

Dragonflies, monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, bullfrogs and mallard ducks frequent this garden which is in the process of being certified as a Wildlife Habitat Garden. Listed below are some of the plants in Steve's landscape:

Plant List:

Erigonum Fasciculatum - California Buckwheat, Heteromeles arbutifolia - Toyon, Artemesia palmeri - San Diego sagewort, Salvia Brandesi - Santa Rosa Island Sage, Salvia clevelandii - Cleveland Sage, Romneya Coulteri - Matilija Poppy, Artemesia california - California sage, Diplacus aurantiacus - Sticky Monkey Flower, Carex tumulicola - Berkely Sedge, Purple Muhlenbergia, Salvia leucophylla - purple sage

and

Leymus condensatus - Canyon Prince grass, Sambucus mexicana - Mexican elderberry, Dendromecan harfordii - Island Bush poppy, Epilobium canna - California fushia, Grevilla superba, Aloe striata - Coral aloe, Aloe Ferax, Aloe baneseii, Anacapa - wild morning glory vine, Mexican feather bamboo

The Fisher Garden:

Designed and installed in 1999, this garden features California natives and drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants that attract an abundance of wildlife, including hummingbirds, butterflies, snakes, bees, frogs and other fauna. Certified as a National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Habitat and Surfrider Foundation Ocean Friendly Garden, this pesticide-free garden makes use of a drip irrigation system and a driveway that allows rainwater to percolate into the water table.

Drought Tolerant Mediterranean Plants:New Zealand Flax, Bird of Paradise, Kangaroo Paw, Santa Barbara Daisy, Snow in Summer, Mondo Grass, Dymondia Margaretae, Blue Fescue, Pride Madera

Native California Plants:
California Buckwheat, Purple Sage, Island Bush Snapdragon, Deer Grass, California Fuchsia

Michell's Garden:

This multifaceted front garden is filled with Australian and California natives. Plants include agave, aloe, salvias, coyote bush, fairy duster, western redbud, and weeping pussy willow, moonlight grevillea, long John grevillea, silky needle bush, banksia, ribes, blue boy eucalyptus, many varieties of ceanothus and bulbs.

Also in the drought tolerant section are vegetables; tomatoes, zucchini and different herbs. When you enter the backyard, you'll notice two large acacias, plantings of Australian and California natives as well as a chicken coop

This garden is certified by the National Wildlife Federation and recognized by the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden as a drought tolerant garden

The Gamino Garden:

This sustainable landscape was installed in March of 2010 and was featured on A & E television - Fix That Yard. Colorful native plants and succulents were used throughout. Drip irrigation was used in planters and also underground for the lawn. A low energy use pondless waterfall adds drama.

A bio swale and rain diversion pebbles allow rainwater to recharge the water table. A Flexi-pave porous driveway was installed. Flexi-Pave is made from bald tires which creates zero runoff and keeps tires out of landfills. Color, drama, water savings and sustainability are all found in the front yard of this landscape treasure!

Plant List:
1. Euphorbia Wulfenii Variegata
2. Dymonia Ground cover in between stepping stones.
3. Carex Pansa grass in the parkway
4. Aeonium 'Sunburst'
5. Rhamnus Alaternus "John Edwards" for east hedge.
6. Aloe Striata
7. Arbutus Marina
8. Magnolia Grandiflora dwarf
9. Variegated succulents

Sue's Garden:

The landscaping for this very manicured, low maintenance and low water-usage landscape was done in 2011 by Centeno Landscaping. In the central area is "dymondia" ground cover Dymondia comes from the Western Cape of South Africa, where the climate is similar to our own. It is drought-tolerant. It thrives in full sun and can tolerate partial shade inland. Bees tend to ignore it until the silvery foliage erupts with dainty, daisy-like flowers in summer.

The Birch Tree in the center is surrounded on the outsides edges of the yard by several Fringe plants, Brown Flax, Lavender, Iris, Roses, Hydrangea and ornamental grasses.

The Camellia Sasangua is an evergreen shrub that is very well drought tolerant.

A sophisticated but subdued front yard that is easy on the eyes, is very low maintenance and is low in water usage

Diana & Daryl's Garden:

This drought tolerant garden was just recently installed. It took the owners (who designed it) 8 weekends to complete it. They participated in the Lawn to Garden Rebate Program through socalwatersmart.comwhich will reimburse them $2 a square for taking out their lawn and installing a pre-approved garden plan. They are so proud of their accomplishment that they can't wait to go outside and check out their new garden and share their enthusiasm for their new creation.

Plant List: (common name and botanical name):
Scotch Moss - Arenaria Verna Dymondia
California Poppy - Eschscholiza
Black hen & Chicks - Sempervivum
Ghost hen & Chicks - Echeveria
Martini Midnight - Coprosma

Pomegranate - Achillea Millefolium
Erica verticillata
Australian Rosemary - Westringia
Fruitcosta
Cuphea Ingea
Fire Sticks - Euphoriba Trucalli

Griselda's Garden:

Designed nine years ago by the owner to resemble the beauty of the natural local landscape which would attract people to native plants as well as local insects, lizards, butteries and birds. The mostly native plant landscape welcomes visitors and requires a minimum of maintenance and watering.

Plant List:

Yarrow, Chamise, Manzanita, Coastal and Canyon Sagebrush, Coast Aster, Coyote Brush, Calif. Allspice, Frosty Blue Mountain Blue, Western Rosebud, San Diego Mountain Mahogany, Monterrey Farewell to Spring, Clarkia, Fingertips, Dudleya, Buckwheat, Calif. Poppy, Calif. Fescue, Idaho, Fescue, Island Bush Snapdragon, Toyon, Chanel Island Coral Bells, Mallow, Honeysuckle, Lupine, Needlegrass, Penstemon, Strawberry Tree, Loquat (and more).

Dean and Cindy's Garden:

If you build it, they will come.

Established in 2003 as a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat, this garden uses 2/3 less water than the average home and also allows rainwater to percolate into the water table. This landscape attracts an abundance of nature: robins, blue scrub jays, finches, wild parrots, hawks, dragonflies,butterflies and more. Mixed with antiques and a water barrel pond, this a wonderful escape.

Plant List:

Statice, Nandinas, Fortnight Lilies, Sweet William, Gazanias, Succulents, Creeping Thyme, Dymondia, Erodium, Herniaria, Sage, Plumbago, Milkweed, Geraniums, Lantana, Lavendar, Horsetail, Honeysuckle, Mother-in-laws tongue, Western Redbud, Morning Glory, Monkey Flower, Blue Fescue, Heuchera

Tree List:
Purple Hopbush, Liquidamber, Camphor, Bottlebrush, Podocarpus, Eucalptus

Jack's Garden:

This garden was designed by a landscape architect in 2006. The simple circular design, or "rainbow" pattern compliments the clean lines of the house. With only a few varieties of plants - it is easy to showcase the qualities of each plant. An easy to maintain landscape with little water required and no lawn.

Plant List:
Crown of Thorns, Red Apple, Society Garlic and Day Liliess

Donna's Garden:

As a volunteer at the Madrona Marsh, Donna learned that native plants help lower water bills, create a natural environment for birds, butterflies, lizards and insects and provide a peaceful setting for relaxation. Most of the plants were purchased at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center Native Plant Sale. Donna's garden was established in 2018 and contains the following:

Plant List:

Montara California Sage, Seaside Daisy, Red Yucca, California Fuchsia, Red Buckwheat, Bee's Bliss Salvia, California Buckwheat, Baja Fairy Duster, Desert Museum Palo Verde, John Dourley Manzanita, Mat Rush, Lion's Tail, Blue-Eyed Grass, California Bush Sunflower, Indian Mallow, Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat, Cleveland Sage, Narrow-Leaf Milkweed, Yarrow

Grindle's Garden:

Eight years ago, this enchanted garden was a wedding gift to his wife. The 4200 square feet (front and back) was just grass and dirt. They did all the renovation themselves. The garden was inspired by The Cambria Pines Lodge garden in Cambria and is a mixture of native and drought tolerant plants, planters and garden art. There is also a vegetable and fruit garden. They have attracted Alligator Lizards, Finches, Hummingbirds, Bees, Butterflies and more.

Plant List:

Lantana, Asparagus Fern, Cousin Itt, Cigar Bush, California Buckwheat, Caladrinia, Slavia, Rosemary, Lavender, Kangaroo Bush, succulents and more.

Cindy's Garden:

A natural habitat garden. It's a haven for birds, butterflies, lizards and more. The front yard is framed by a small wall made of re-purposed broken concrete and has a patio of permeable DG (decomposed granite). There is a very popular hanging birdbath and Bluebird nesting box. They had two broods this year (2020) - a total of eight new baby Bluebirds..

Plant List:

Native CA plants: Bush Sunflower, Island Bush Poppy, Catalina Snapdragon, Gooseberry, Coyote Brush, Yarrow, Douglas Iris, Indian Mallow, Toyon, Buckwheat, Baja Fairy Duster, Monkey Flower, CA Poppy and a variety of sages.

Non-natives: Rockrose, Spanish Lavender, Lantana, Duranta, Knife Blade Acacia, Kangaroo Paw, Mexican Sage, Roses and annual flowers

Madrona Marsh Preserve: An Island Of Wilderness In The City

Madrona Marsh Preserve is one of the last remaining vernal marshes in Southern California.

A slice of wilderness smack dab in the middle of a city.

Situated on land that was set aside for oil production in 1924, Madrona Marsh was never developed - unlike the surrounding city - and remains a valuable natural habitat for birds, reptiles, insects and even small mammals.

Ongoing efforts are restoring native plants including wildflowers and butterfly species. The area has long been popular with bird watchers and The Audubon Society has used Madrona Marsh for their annual bird census since 1967. El Camino College uses it as an outdoor biology and botany lab.

At the Nature Center you can take a docent lead tour of the botanical garden and check out the native plants that grow there. Get up-close-and-personal with the plants that you could have in your yard - and reduce your need for outdoor watering.

Seaside Heroes Park:

A city park designed with sustainability in mind.

It incorporates drought tolerant plants to reduce irrigation costs, and an irrigation system designed for reclaimed water.

Plants include:
Fountain Grass, Mexican Feather Grass, Giant Wild Rye, Buffalo Grass

This park also honors 3 local soldiers killed in the middle east.

Jim and Nancy's Garden:

In 2009 the “ugly, patchy, water guzzling lawn” was removed and replaced with a 1,000 sq, ft. California Native Garden which was installed by Tony Baker of Natural Landscapes in 2010. The rich assortment of colorful plants is a testament to the fact that a wonderful garden landscape can be created with little water or maintenance.

Plant List:Cercocarpus minutiflorus, San Diego Mountain Mahogany, Arctostaphylos 'Louis Edmunds', Manzanita cultivar, Eriogonum giganteum, Giant Buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Dana Point', California Buckwheat cultivar, Eriogonum grande rubescens, Red Buckwheat, Erigeron glaucus, Seaside Daisy, Salvia 'Dara's Choice', Sage hybrid, Salvia clevelandii 'Baja', Cleveland Sage cultivar, Salvia leucophylla 'Bee's Bliss', Purple Sage cultivar, Salvia apiana, White Sage, Verbena lilacina, Lilac Verbena, Galvezia speciosa, Showy Island Snapdragon, Artemisia ‘David’s Choice’, Sandhill Sage, Leymus condensatus 'Canyon Prince', Blue Wild Rye cultivar, Sisyrinchium bellum, Blue-eyed Grass, Lessingia 'Silver Carpet', California Aster, Ascelepius Curassavica, Red Milkweed, Baja Cypress, Sea Pink Armeria, Perennial Basil, Sticky Monkey Flower, Red Monkey Flower, Penstemon, Various Succulents, Annual Native Wildflowers

Marilyn and Jeannie's Garden:

In 2009 this lovely low-maintenance Californian native garden was established. This garden’s very “natural” look is accomplished by not only using Californian native plants and wild flower annuals but by including logs, stones and rocks in the landscaping design.

Passersby can often be seen reading the plant markers which were thoughtfully placed to educate and encourage the public – only weeding, mulch and some pruning required – no watering! This natural landscape attracts butterflies, ladybugs, hummingbirds and squirrels. Stop by and catch the sweet, woodsy scent wafting in the wind.

Plant List:

Ashyleaf Buckwheat, Cape Mendocino Reedgrass, Beach Evening Primrose, Catalina Perfume Evergreen Currant, Bee’s Bliss, Clarkia, Bladderpod, Cleveland Sage, Bight Green Didleya, Coastal Buckwheat, Ca. Buckwheat, Creeping Rosemary, Ca. Bush Sunflower, Deer Grass, Ca. Fuchsia, Canyon Melody Coral Bells, Ca. Lilac, Hummingbird Sage, Ca. Poppy, Island Bush Snapdragon, Canyon Prince Wild Rye, Lions Tail, Pink Melaleuca, Purple Sage, Red Buckwheat, Red Fairy Duster, Red Monkeyflower, San Dieg Dage, Milkweed, Toyon, Western Redbud

Deanne and Cal's Garden:

This drought tolerant front yard was created in 2006 after attending a "California Friendly" landscape class sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District and the City of Torrance. The dry creek bed adds a dramatic focal point and also a background for the colorful plants in this garden, plus the tipped pots create a sense of timelessness and mystery

Plant List:

Austin Hill Manzanita, Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina Domestica, Red Yucca, Yellow Yucca, Ceanothus, Butterfly Bush, Cistus, Rockrose, Senecio Mandraliscae, Dymondia, and Gaura.

Myra and Barry's Garden:

Established in the 2008, the dry river bed and ground cover align with the contemporary lines of this home. The dry river bed, ground cover, and river rock allow the rainwater to percolate into the ground while a variety of sprinklers; (drip and spray) minimize water waste. In addition, shower run-off (water that is wasted when shower water is 'warming up') is utilized for watering pots and water features..

Plant List:

Dymondia, Variety of ornamental fountain grasses (Red, Red Rooster, Pennisetum, Pennstripe, Blue Fescue), Variety of Flax, Horsetail, Giant Bamboo, Black Bamboo, Kangaroo Paw, Mexican Sage, Rosemary, Variety of succulents, Silver Sheen, Flowering Plum, Lion's Tail

Gayles's Garden:

This garden with its structured wildness is extremely low maintenance and uses little water. The plant selection was based on attracting, feeding, and sheltering birds, wildlife, butterflies and insects and is designated a Wildlife Habitat. The pond has a low energy filter system. No pesticides are used and only natural fertilizers and compost are used which have turned the hard clay to rich soil.

Here is a partial list of plantings:
Trees: Sequoia, Liquid Elm, Japanese Black Pine, Japanese Maple
Vines: Red trumpet vine, Passion flower, Carolina jasmine, Boston ivy, Creeping fig
Water Plants: Water lilies, Water Iris, Watercress
Shrubs: Carolina cherry, Texas privet, Ceanothus, Pittosporum, Manzanita, Rosemary, Miniature fuchsia
Plants: Cranesbill, Iris, Salvias, Milkweed, Nasturtium, Tigridia, Stag-horn Fern, Tillandsia, Anise, Thyme, Tarragon

James' Garden:

This front yard was designed to be simple and low maintenance with lots of color all year long. Its prairie look with a south west feel compliment the style of the house. It was designed so one element would not over power the landscape as a whole and the simple elements compliment each other. The understated elegance of this landscape creates a very striking image.

Plant List:

Sago Palms, Shamrock Palm, Agave, Jade, Baby Necklace, Aenium Arbreum, Pencil Cactus, Stick of Fire, Aeonium Rosette, Pork and Beans, Pancake Cactus and Sedum.

The Rubin Garden:

In order to conserve water, Marilyn and Sherwin stopped watering their front yard for one year, and of course, everything died. They personally removed their Bermuda turf and were approved for the L.A. County Turf Removal Rebate before the money ran out.

After attending the Theodore Payne Native Plant Tour, they got a good idea of what type of plants they wanted for their new drought tolerant landscape which was installed in July of 2015. Anna's Hummingbirds, Swallowtails and Monarch's are frequent quests as well as skunks and raccoons. They love looking at their landscape every time they come home.

Plant List:Dymondia, Dwarf Red Flax, Blue Oat Grass, Strawberry Tree, Crepe Myrtle Tree, New Zealand Tea Tree, Lantana and Pink Ivy Geranium.

Jacque's Garden:

The front lawn consists of a South African ground cover called Diamondia. It is very hearty and once established needs very little water. It does not need to be mowed like normal grass and is 'feet' friendly. It's tiny yellow flowers are very eye appealing. The dry creek bed with ornamental grasses and natural rock and the drip irrigation system were installed by Mike Garcia of Enviroscape.

Other ornamental grasses and natural stone along the side walk were installed by Enviroscape as was the lighting. The tree-lawn area is Korean Grass which is very low maintenance and receives a short haircut once a year and stays green all year.

Lavender and Garra line the walkway and when in bloom cascade over the walkway.There is a Japanese flowering plum and the green wispy trees are Silversheen. The garden attracts Hummingbirds and Butterflies.

A gorgeousness and relaxing garden - it is very low maintenance, as well as a low water usage landscape.

Doug and Mary's Garden:

While looking for hardy plants and a low maintenance landscape, this artistic succulent garden began in 1993. Many of the garden ornaments, clay pots, planters and plants come from Saturday morning bike rides to garage sales. Nestled amongst a vast assortment of succulents are two ponds which contain turtles, bullfrogs, fish and water plants.

Hummingbirds, jays, mockingbirds, finches, honey bees, raccoons and more frequent this low-water-use garden while grey-water from the washing machine is used to water the front yard .Look carefully and you will find a compost pile and a wormery.

Plant List:California poppy, nasturtium, lantana, hydrangea, Mexican sage, hibiscus, variety of succulents, variety of bromeliads, ginkgo tree, snail vine

Angelica and Philip's Garden:

Created in 1980 to replace a water wasting front lawn, the garden became home to reclaimed plants from neighbors, friends and family. No pesticides were used in this garden habitat for butterflies, hummingbirds and bees. It is watered by hand once every two weeks while the mulch keeps it moist. The bricks for the planters are from Philip's childhood home. The planters and islands were created to slow down the water runoff.

Plantings Include:

Amarillo, St. John Fire Cracker, Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow, Roses, Jade, Bambo, Aloe, Plumeria, Jasmine, Aeonuns, Palms, Ferns, Bird of Paradise, Tillandsia.

Wistar & Bertie's Garden:

After taking an Ocean Friendly Garden class, Wistar and Bertie conquered their annual rain runoff problem with their garden design - water from the south roof disappeared into the ground, and water from the north roof filled three 45-gallon containers.

A permeable pathway and berm keep the rain water from pouring into the street and their California native plants and drought tolerant plants keep water usage to a bare minimum.

Plant List:

Festuca glauca, Dymondia, Juncus patens "Will Flemming", Anigozanthos "Soft Red", Salvia greegi "Red", Correra "Ivory Bells", Grevillea "Coastal Gem", Sedum "Blue Spruce", Helictotrichon sempervirens, Salvia "Mystic Spires", Deer grass

and:

Chalk dudlya, Phormium "Maori Maiden", Agave Americana "Mediopicta Alba", Kalanchoe luciae, Dianella "Cassa Blue", Armeria "Red Ballerina", Carex flagilleria "Toffee Twist", Salvia "Alan Chicoring", Lavendula "Goodwin Creek Gray", Agave attenuate, Dichorondra "Silver Falls