The Aoyagi Laboratory, Tujunga

This is what we believe world-saving looks like

FormLA Landscaping owners Cassy and Kirk Aoyagi wrapped their mid-century modern home with a lush, leafy, low water landscape. The naturalistic space, overflowing with hyperlocal California native plants, provides a refuge for the family, friends and an abundance of wildlife.

A child runs through a verdant meadow toward his parents.
The space offers room to run and play as well as plenty of always-changing, wildlife-attracting foliage to inspire curiosity.

“We can save the world by planting natives,” 
Cassy said as she offered a walk through the couple’s
lush, natives-filled backyard in Tujunga.
As you watch the birds and butterflies descend
upon the garden’s native flora…
you find yourself nodding in agreement.

Los Angeles Times, 2019

Project Snapshot

The Aoyagi’s back garden serves as a laboratory. It’s an ever-evolving, jubilant celebration of foothill native foliage full of fragrance and life. The California Native Plant Society featured a tour of this garden’s fire-defensive features in Flora, its seasonal magazine.

Vernal Pool | Spring
Aoyagi Garden | Autumn
Kirk and Dara | Aoyagi Garden
The Aoyagi Garden | Spring
Vernal Pool | Winter
Biodiverse Hedge | Aoyagi Garden
Goldn poppies and an abundance of vibrant color surround Cassy and pup Dara as they stroll through a lush meadow.
IdealMow Meadow | Aoyagi Garden

See more photos in the full project gallery in Houzz, where you can save your favorite ideas.

Plant Palettes

Want to create a fire-defensive, water-sinking, world-saving garden? Check out the plant palette we chose for the Aoyagi garden, and see more IdealMow Lawn and Meadow options. Save your favorite ideas in Pinterest.