Los Angeles Basin's Ecological Landscaping Options

• Coastal Bluffs -- where the mountains meet the coast
• South Coastal Scrub and Chapparal -- inland, drier and inland mountains
• Valley Floors -- Oak woodlands and grassland
• Rivers -- Riparian corridors along streams, creeks and rivers
• Desert -- inland, dry and high temperature swings

The Oak Woodland landscape in the Old Town of Los Gatos incorporates a natural oak woodland garden. Planting beds between the sidewalk and parking lot requires zero summer water. These easy-care natives provide habitat for local bird species and replicate the natural community of the area. The understory planting complements the existing heritage oaks.

These urban California microhabitats provide regional landscape designers with a rich palette of color, texture and ecologically sound plants and techniques. "Between 1500 and 2000 California natives are suitable for landscaping. We currently have about 250 available in nurseries. We have an amazing palette of creative, ecologically-sound landscaping awaiting us!"

The California Native Gardening Foundation is one of Alrie's passions. "This foundation is charged with bringing those 1500-2000 native plants into the landscape market. As more variety becomes available, more native landscaping will flourish...and we'll be able to match plants to their local habitats more easily." It takes an "artistic mentality" to accept change readily. Having an expansive palette of color and texture and beauty is very motivational!