Busted! The Native Wildflower Garden Must Go

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In 1999 I removed the weedy Bermuda grass from the parkway strip between the sidewalk and the street. The wastefulness of watering, mowing and edging the 6 ft. wide by 70 ft. long strip was more than I could bear. Over the years I added native bunch grasses, wild sage, California lilac and innumerable annual wildflowers.

While weeding, walkers greet me and tell me how much they enjoy the sight and smell of the garden. Apparently not all agreed. One of my neighbors – could it be the person who was pulling out some of the plants? – called the city to report that the parkway was not in compliance with city code.

Public works has no option but the notify homeowners when such calls are received. And so on April Fool’s Day the letter arrived in the mail. Alas – to all of you who have enjoyed the wildflowers, they must be removed by May 4th. In celebration of the past nine years, enjoy the photos, or better yet, walk by to capture the amazing colors, aroma, and sounds in this bit of wild suburbia. The garden is also on the Theodore Payne Foundation Native Plant Garden Tour this Saturday.

From Wild Suburbia
From Wild Suburbia
From Wild Suburbia

From Wild Suburbia
From Wild Suburbia
From Wild Suburbia
From Wild Suburbia