A garden for butterflies

Kris and Dave Ethington of San Clemente are the grand prize winners of Orange County’s 2018 California Friendly Garden Contest. A small koi pond with recirculating water highlights their rear patio deck made of oiled wood.

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 14, 2018 1:36 PM PT

From nightmare backyard to a butterfly haven

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.

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)