Aoyagi native plant garden

For 20 years, landscape designers Cassy and Kirk Aoyagi have proselytized the benefits of California native plants. Their personal garden in Tujunga is their most persuasive argument.

For 20 years, landscape designers Cassy and Kirk Aoyagi have proselytized the benefits of California native plants. Their personal garden in Tujunga is their most persuasive argument.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

June 13, 2019 10 AM PT

Aoyagi native plant garden

Yoshi Aoyagi, 8, moves from the vernal pool, right, to the meadow in his Tujunga backyard.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

Yoshi Aoyagi swings from a coast live oak.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

The boulders were configured to accomodate the couple’s 8-year-old.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa).

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

Lacy Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia).

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

Island Pitchers Sage (Lepechinia ragrans).

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

“The meadow is my dream,” says Cassy Aoyagi. “I’ve always loved the pastoral look.”

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

California Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana).

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

Flannel Bush (Fremontadendron).

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

Catalina Cherry (Prunus lyonii).

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

Dara has a drink from the bird bath.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica).

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

California Sagebrush aka Cowboy Perfume (Artemisia Californica).

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

Coastal Sagewort.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

Lewis Flax (Linum lewisii).

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua).

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

Family dog Dara rests on carex pansa, a lawn substitute that looks like traditional turf but requires much less water and maintenance.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Aoyagi native plant garden

California Lilac.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

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