3411 Brayton Ave.
Long Beach 90807

Access: 75%

Feeling that the curb appeal for the home was unfriendly, Mikki designed the current iteration of her front landscape. Building a rounded entryway to the home added a more alluring welcome. Working with the criteria specified by the Long Beach Lawn to Garden Program, she had all the grass removed, reconfigured her entrance, added a border wall to create a friendly and comfortable courtyard. She planted drought-tolerant, California native plants, focusing on bee, butterfly, and hummingbird-friendly varieties. 

Five separate gardens capture the different types of plants. In Mikki’s succulent garden, several varieties of echeveria grow, as well as sticks of fire, jades, and aloes. Another garden flowers with aromatics like lavender and sage to attract and support bees and butterFlies. In the native plants garden, butterFly bushes and “Hot Lips” sages mingle with other drought-tolerant plants. Pond lilies and water cabbage dwell in the water garden.