The Los Angeles Basin will continue to experience drought and higher temperatures for the foreseeable future. In response, many people are removing water intensive turf in favor of drought tolerant landscapes. In order to help provide inspiration for those thinking of making changes, The Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council Sustainability Committee is pleased to announce its first Annual Sustainable Garden Tour. The tour will be free and take place on Sunday, June 26, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and will also include educational seminars.
We are soliciting nominations for gardens to be included on the tour. Self-nominations are acceptable. The gardens can be homeowner designed or professionally designed, but should meet the following criteria:
I. Location
Within the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council comprised of Brookside, Citrus Square, Country Club Heights, Fremont Place, Hancock Park, La Brea Hancock, Larchmont Village, Melrose, Oakwood-Maplewood-St. Andrews, Ridgewood-Wilton-St. Andrews Square, Sycamore Square, Western-Wilton, Wilshire Park, Windsor Square, and Windsor Village.
II. Size
Small and intimate or large
Front yard only, back yard only, or both
III. Irrigation
Primarily drip irrigation
IV. Plants
Drought tolerant plant palette drawing upon plants from South Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean, and California natives.
Garden turf not to exceed 50%.
Use of mulch to retain moisture.
V. (Optional) Water Capture:
Use of rain barrels, cisterns, bioswales, etc.
VI. (Optional) Pollinator Plants:
Attracts birds, bees, and butterflies.
Nomination Procedure:
Nominate your yard, your neighbor’s yard, or a sustainable landscape in the Greater Wilshire area that you admire!
Please send your application(s) to sustainability@greaterwilshire.org by May 20, 2016.
Please include the following information:
Name; Address; Email; Phone; One paragraph narrative description and 2-3 photos.
For questions, please email sustainability@greaterwilshire.org
