Front garden in Berkeley hills with stone patio moss rock retaining walls fountain and california native plants bird friendly

Berkeley Firesafe Birder’s Garden

This homeowner was an avid birder and native plant gardener for decades before contacting Four Dimensions to help update the garden. Living near parklands they enjoy the benefits of diverse wildlife activity but also face the challenges of fire risk and regulations. Interested in serving as a model for firesafe landscaping while still maintaining a high-value habitat garden, the owners worked in close collaboration with Four Dimensions designers to create a garden that all the neighbors and fire inspectors are excited about!

The key elements to improve defensible space included removing planting beds under the home’s eaves and replacing decaying wood fencing and gates with a customized combination of aluminum, steel and deer fencing. Two stone fountains were added that have drawn an astounding mix of birds. A failing brick wall and slippery patio were replaced with an inviting stone patio and terraces. The new patio provides a graceful transition from the classic brick home to the naturalistic garden full of native fog-loving understory plants beneath a stately dawn redwood.

Key Garden Features

  • Stone birdbath and columnar fountains

  • Stone patio, entry steps, front stoop, and retaining walls

  • Improved accessibility and safety

  • Steel gates and handrails

  • Aluminum fencing that looks like wood

  • Deer fencing

  • Timber steps and decomposed granite landings for access to rear slope

The front gate of this Berkeley hills garden is metal for fire safety while maintaining a welcoming open view to the california native plant bird-friendly garden and fountain next to a stone patio
Stone steps and moss rock wall surround a columnar stone fountain with california native plants in this berkeley bird garden
Moss rock walls and stone steps intersect in this firesafe berkeley hills bird garden filled with california native plants
Moss rock walls and california native plants next to a stone walkway and timber tie steps
Moss rock walls and california native plants next to a stone walkway and timber tie steps
Moss rock walls surround a columnar stone fountain and california native plants in this berkeley hills bird garden
Moss rock walls and stone steps with a metal railing intersect in this firesafe berkeley hills bird garden filled with california native plants
Moss rock walls and stone steps with a metal railing intersect in this firesafe berkeley hills bird garden filled with california native plants
Moss rock walls surround a columnar stone fountain and california native plants behind a stone patio with timber tie steps in this berkeley hills bird garden
Drystacked moss rock wall with a fern growing through the cracks
Timber tie steps up a berkeley hillside garden with moss rock retaining walls and a stone patio
Moss rock walls surround a columnar stone fountain and california native plants behind a stone patio with timber tie steps in this berkeley hills bird garden
Stone steps and patio with potted plants next to a front entry in a berkeley hills firesafe residential garden
Stone steps and patio with potted plants next to a metal fence and gate in a berkeley hills firesafe residential garden
Decomposed granite (DG) patio in a berkeley hills sloped backyard with california native plants and a stone basin fountain bird-friendly garden
Stone basin fountain in berkeley hills bird-friendly garden with california native plants
Decomposed granite (DG) patio in a berkeley hills sloped backyard with california native plants and a stone basin fountain bird-friendly garden
Decomposed granite (DG) patio in a berkeley hills sloped backyard with california native plants
Dry stacked moss rock wall with california native plants in a sloped berkeley hills residential garden
Decomposed granite (DG) patio and timber tie steps in a berkeley hills sloped backyard with california native plants
Timber tie steps with decomposed granite treads in a berkeley hills sloped backyard with california native plants
Timber tie steps with decomposed granite treads in a berkeley hills sloped backyard with california native plants
Timber tie steps with decomposed granite treads in a berkeley hills sloped backyard with california native plants
Timber tie steps with decomposed granite treads and pathway in a berkeley hills sloped backyard with california native plants
Before image of a front landscape brick patio with overgrown plantings and wood gate
After photo of a front garden landscape stone patio with fountain moss rock retaining walls and california native plantings

“The water features have made a huge difference for bird habitat in our garden. We’ve had hummingbirds, nuthatches & woodpeckers enjoying the fountain in the front, and we even had a great horned owl visit our back water feature.”

—Barbara & Bob, Oakland

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Oakland Sloped Refuge