Gardens are not just about growing things, they are also about seeing things. The more time that I spend in my garden, the more I realize that it’s the little things that give me the greatest joy. The smallest sprout, a new leaf, little and not so little buggies. This summer my youngest daughter spent a month in our guest house, and woke every morning to the garden vista outside her window. And of course that vista included all the growing things that I have so lovingly planted, but it also include much of the wildlife that inhabits suburban backyards in Los Angeles.
When one thinks of big cities, one doesn’t necessarily think of flowers or butterflies, but rather tall steel buildings, and miles of concrete. But, in fact, our backyard friends have persisted, and through the careful tending of many devoted gardeners, they thrive.
One day during her stay in the guest house, as my youngest daughter and I were puttering around the garden, she said to me, “Mom, your garden is so active!” At first, I didn’t know exactly what she meant, but then she explained. “There’s always something going on…there’s butterflies on the butterfly bushes, bees on the lavender, and hummingbirds, towhees, mourning doves, and goldfinches that have stopped by to visit.” Everywhere we looked we could see signs of garden life being enjoyed – not just by us, but by the backyard creatures as well.
Lucky us. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Watch our backyard garden wildlife video to see who's been visiting!