Dance with an Abundance of Vibrant Native Foliage
Designed to unify an historic craftsman bungalow and a new look-alike ADU on the dance floor, this garden comfortably hosted multitudes for the 2026 Bungalow Heaven Home Tour.
As you made your way between the property’s homes, you may have noticed the crunch of decomposed granite under your feet and the intoxicating scent of minty native sages intertwining with notes of citrus. Did you see the sunny blooms of the blooming Palo Verde tree swaying to the music?
See the Garden Grow
Here’s a taste of the young garden in early growth and bloom during our February preview and ready-to-play just three months later during the tour.
The homeowners wanted an abundance of space for gatherings just like this – and for family dance parties. Several of the plants surrounding the dance floor will dance along side them! Vivacious Lilac Verbena floats on delicate stems and sways in the breeze. Yarrow’s feathery foliage wiggles and waves. California Lilac bops with the bees. The long wands of Sacred Sage work their magic over it all.
Before | After Transformation
As the garden grows, it will become ever more lush and leafy. As you sashayed across the bloom-wrapped space, you may be surprised to know, this was its aesthetic just a 18 months ago.
While we’re particularly happy with these areas, we should mention the homeowner’s self-designed front garden of native + desert plants brings the curb appeal! A substantial manzanita sits in deep shade from Sycamore and Coast Live Oak canopies. On hot days, they offer cool, in rain, an umbrella.
As you say farewell, give a nod to the eye-catching agave. She is the mother of the many pups who greeted you from container gardens as you made your way through the garden!
Plant Palettes
Curious about the other foliage you see? Check out the garden’s plant palette in Pinterest, where you can save your favorites. If you’re ready to spend more time with these blooms, the public Authentic Foothill Gardens at Sierra Madre City Hall was created to showcase foliage that thrives in the temperature extremes and soils of LA’s foothill communities.
