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When you rip out the lawn you make room for a lush, drought-tolerant paradise

This 1,200-square-foot front garden in Brentwood is alive with birds, butterflies and bees thanks to the milkweed, lilac verbena, monkeyflower and buckwheat that were planted to attract wildlife. Begun in May 2008, it proves what you can do when you ditch the grass.

This 1,200-square-foot front garden in Brentwood is alive with birds, butterflies and bees thanks to the milkweed, lilac verbena, monkeyflower and buckwheat that were planted to attract wildlife. Begun in May 2008, it proves what you can do when you ditch the grass.

  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Andrew Russell’s native front yard in Brentwood is a popular example of what a lush, lively native garden can be. Take a closer look:

Creating a drought-tolerant paradise

Homeowner Andrew Russell worked closely together with landscape designer Shayne Naudi. She designed the space as a comfortable oasis for the homeowners and as a habitat for birds and butterflies.

  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Creating a drought-tolerant paradise

Russell’s garden was started even early by his late wife, Kathy, who studied native plants before the transformation began.

  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Creating a drought-tolerant paradise

White ceanothus snow flurry adds shade inside the enclosed small front yard.

  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Creating a drought-tolerant paradise

Dudleya cymosa, a kind of succulent, adds inviting detail.

  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Native garden tour

Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’ spills out of a pot -- and adds color.

  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Creating a drought-tolerant paradise

Soft Santa Barbara daisies bloom in the cottage-like garden.

  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Creating a drought-tolerant paradise

A drought-tolerant blue ceanothus anchors one corner of the front yard.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Creating a drought-tolerant paradise

An espaliered Ceanothus casts a shadow on a wall and gives the garden a more formal look.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Native plant tour

The parking strip is especially dramatic thanks to Santa Barbara daisies, grasses, poppies, lush silver-toned David’s Choice ground cover and a blue Palo Verde tree that gives the house a physical break from the busy street.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Native garden tour

Galvezia speciosa commonly known as showy island snapdragon, is known for attracting hummingbirds.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Native garden tour

Dendromecon harfordii, or Channel Island tree poppy, generally blooms April through July.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Native garden tour

Native creeping red fescue spills onto the walkway from the parking strip.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Native garden tour

Low water Santa Barbara daisies bloom throughout the garden and attract bees.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Native garden tour

California poppies, the official state flower of California, begin to bloom in the parking strip.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Native garden tour

Canyon Prince grasses can grow 2 to 3 feet tall or larger, if given water.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Native garden tour

Vitis californica, the California wild grape, grows on an arbor. Grapes will begin to ripen in the fall.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Native garden tour

Native plants, crushed gravel and recycled concrete in the parking strip of Russell’s garden.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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