By Sharon Cohoon, Sunset senior garden writer
Sometimes I'm sure I come across as poor Johnny one-note. Always kvetching about what a waste front yard lawns are. Especially when there so many more interesting things to do with the space. And I try, honestly and truly I do try, to back off already.
But then I flew back to LA from the Midwest awhile ago and looked down at those endless miles of flat dull green carpets fanning out in all directions. And I see we still have a long way to go.
So, I'm back at it already.
The following examples of better things to do with your front yard than plant turf are landscapes you can see on the Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase which is coming up quickly. April 30th, 11 to 4m. Details here.
This is quite an extensive tour. 82 gardens in all the last time I checked the Showcase website. And not a front yard lawn in the bunch. Since that's more than you can see in a day, poke around the Showcase website to prioritize before heading out. Or pick one of their categories, such as natives or edibles.
Here's two front yards that caught my eye.
3513 Rosewood Avenue
Five years ago this front yard was all lawn. But the homeowner, Lori Powers, and her former partner Christine Wiseman, wanted to replace it with something more interesting and environmentally responsible. So, out went the turf--they dug it out themselves. And in went lots of natives--such as ceanothus, manzanita, mimulus, and California poppies. Also compatible drought-tolerant companions such as palo verde trees, cistus, agaves, and Mexican bamboo.
The new space is full of color, texture, and seasonal change. And, get this, it gets by entirely on natural precipitation. No irrigation at all.
Wiseman, now living in Northern California, found the process of building a more sustainable garden so compelling she turned it into a business, Inspired by Nature.
3401 Cabrillo Boulevard
Proof you can show off striking architecture without resorting to a lawn. Design by Doug Shemer of Groundswell Landscape Design.
Love the permeable parkway, too. No runoff from this garden, I bet.
Come back tomorrow and I'll preview a third garden from the Showcase which, literally, contains a story.
