Before & After: A massive front lawn is transformed into an inviting, low-water landscape
Amber Denker thinks like an artist when it comes to gardening, spending countless hours in her Toluca Lake backyard planting exotics and tropical plants. “It makes me feel like I’m painting my environment,” she explains.
After hearing about the DWP turf removal rebate during the California drought in 2015, she was prompted to turn a critical eye to the massive lawn in front too.
The green hill was blanketed in turf, with no clear path from the street to the house where she has lived for more than 20 years. “People could never figure out how to get to the front door,” she says. “I always wanted to put a pathway down the center of the yard.” The rebate was the motivation she needed.
When the DWP approved the removal of 2,700 square feet of grass and 1,360 square feet of parkway in August — a move that resulted in a rebate of $8,625 — she had 120 days to implement her plan: tear out the thirsty turf, create access to the house, and install a California-friendly, drought tolerant landscape.
She worked with longtime gardener Jaime Dominguez to remove the dead lawn and line the hill with burlap mesh to prevent soil erosion. On top of the burlap, Dominguez added a layer of Forest Floor soil amendment to revive the soil.
After Denker drew up plans, Dominguez installed a drip irrigation system and Denker began planting 1-gallon containers of rosemary, purple Tradescantia pallida, lantana and senecio. Exotics such as euphorbia, agave, aloe, cordyline and grevillea add texture to the landscape while purple smoke trees and Palo Verdes trees lend height and color.
A simple S-shaped walkway Denker drew on a piece of paper was all that hardscape mason Dino Herrera needed to create a terraced brick walkway leading to the house. Offset with pretty Spanish tile risers, boulders and a custom handrail by Fatima Hooper, the entrance now offers visitors a warm welcome.
A second path, lined with decomposed granite, breaks up the space and creates a place for Denker to roam.
Near the street, a parking strip was removed and replaced with decomposed granite and senecio in alternating swathes. Inspired by some landscaping she saw outside Art’s Deli on Ventura Boulevard, Denker surrounded the palm trees in yellow variegated leaf lantana. “It can pile up high at the base of the palm tree, which is very dramatic,” she says.
Now, Denker’s front yard is an inviting environment for neighbors and wildlife alike.
And even though she spent $20,000 out of pocket — more than she had anticipated — she isn’t complaining.
“I have something that will add permanent value and joy to my home,” she says. “The bugs are happy, the butterflies are happy, and I too am happy. I like to look out, drink my tea and just breathe.”
Show us your garden makeover
We’re highlighting yards and gardens that go from heavy water users to thrifty water sippers. If you’ve given your yard a drought-tolerant makeover, send “before” and “after” pictures to Home@latimes.com. We may include your yard in an upcoming Saturday section.
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