San Jose residents James and Juan Carlos were frustrated with their backyard when they first moved into their house in downtown – full of weeds and utterly unusable. They would vacation every summer, but in 2020, they found themselves stuck at home like the rest of us. It was then that they decided it was time to transform their yard into a beautiful garden where they could spend quality time with family and friends.
They began by reaching out to Shelkie Tao, founder and landscape designer of Water Efficient Gardens, to help them build a green space that would save water and add beauty and life to their home.
Shelkie worked together with James and Juan Carlos to design a water efficient garden with flowers and colorful plants, a vegetable area, a rain garden for which they received a $300 rebate from the Valley Water District.
Among the many selected plants included in the design, Shelkie included the Douglas Iris, a wildflower that blooms in blue, lavender, creamy white and other colors. It likes shade and is a good choice for a rain garden.
The design also featured Foothill Penstemon, a “rockstar” plant which supports close to 20 different kinds of butterflies and moths and is a magnet for native bees.
Instead of hiring a gardener or contractor to carry out the couples’ project, they did it themselves. Well, sort of.
James and Juan Carlos invited their family and friends to support them in the construction of their green space. They made it a fun event for everyone, served coffee and snacks in the middle of a cloudy day, and hosted a garden makeover party.
In the end, they learned that drought tolerant landscaping is beautiful, functional and low maintenance. With the help of the many rebates available through local water agencies, they are also affordable.
“Our garden was our big project during the COVID-19 pandemic. It became a source for getting out of the house, getting to work, and producing something meaningful in our lives,” said James and Juan Carlos. “Without a lawn, we can have a garden with more plants and flowers that feed our pollinating friends. Our garden has been described as whimsical and magical, and we are so grateful for the magic it has brought into our lives.”
Designer Shelkie was proud to help facilitate the transformation.
“As a landscape designer, I was very happy to work with James and Juan Carlos on the design of a native garden in their backyard,” she said. “The new garden not only completely changed the landscape, but also brought them a lot of joy with their friends and family also enjoying the new space. Our gardens can have a huge impact on us. I am very happy to have been able to participate in the positive changes that the creation of a native garden generates.”
For more ideas on native plants, yard transformation, and finding your local water agency, visit saveourwater.com
