A garden for butterflies

The Ethingtons’ front yard is all abloom. They replaced the lawn and an ivy/juniper bank at their San Clemente home with all California native plants.

Rain gutters direct moisture to underground dry wells dug 2 feet wide and 3 feet deep, filled with permeable landscaping fabric and rocks.

Dave and Kris Ethington like do-it-yourself projects, but recommend calling in professional help with certain tasks.

The Ethingtons’ backyard was overrun with ivy and juniper. It is now neatly landscaped with California native plants.

The family loves butterflies, and butterflies love what they planted: buckwheats, salvias and milkweed, to name a few.

A water plant grows out of a koi pond at the edge of the Ethingtons’ deck made of oiled wood.

Kris and Dave Ethington have a stunning view of San Clemente and the Pacific Ocean from their backyard.

There are blooms all year-round at the Ethingtons’ San Clemente home, thanks to an all-California native landscaping.

A sign nestled in the drought-resistant foliage points to the Ethingtons’ pride in their reconfigured yard.