Birder’s Oasis + Homestead
Location: Penngrove, CA in bountiful Sonoma County (USDA Zone 9b)
Design Goals:
Expand + revive existing landscaping with more California and Sonoma County native + pollinator plants
Riparian habitat restoration with California native trees
More wild, naturalistic design with meandering trails
Add abundant fruit trees and reinvigorate vegetable garden
Space to enjoy entertaining and gardening
Plants to attract local birds and provide habitat
Evergreen year-round color
Gopher mitigation
Plan View:
This stunning 20-acre ranch on Sonoma Mountain is home to a creative couple and their ongoing pursuit of creating meaningful bird habitat through thoughtful landscape design. Wild Earth Art is deeply grateful for the privilege of working slowly with this land over many years, stewarding an ecologically beneficial habitat at scale using native plants and regenerative practices. The beauty of this landscape is best experienced across the seasons, when the full dynamism of the meadow plantings, tree canopy, and visiting wildlife reveals itself.
When the property was first purchased, the home featured a private airstrip and areas of mature landscaping that included invasive and hard-to-control species. The removal of the airstrip opened the door to expansive meadow restoration and large-scale tree planting along a natural riparian corridor. Annual California native wildflower seeds are spread each year to build a resilient seed bank and fill the meadow with pollinator-friendly blooms that support birds, insects, and other wildlife.
This meadow benefits from key native plant species including Acer macrophyllum (Big Leaf Maple), Populus fremontii (Fremont Cottonwood), Aesculus californica (California Buckeye), Salix lutea (Yellow Willow), and Alnus rhombifolia (White Alder). Large screening shrubs such as Rhamnus californica (Coffeeberry), Myrica californica (Pacific Wax Myrtle), and Heteromeles californica (Toyon) provide structure, berries, and essential cover for native birds.
The centerpiece of the landscape is the meadow planting that fills the lower hillside with fragrance, layered textures, nectar, and a long parade of blooms stretching toward the horizon and into the Sonoma County vineyard views beyond. Generous gravel pathways invite meandering, meditative walks through the garden. This matrixed planting plan was organized by bloom color en masse then further by plant height. Muhlenbergia rigens (Deer Grass) and multiple California native Eriogonum species usher in autumn with tones of gold and rust. Salvia apiana and Salvia leucantha contribute contrasting form, evergreen structure, and nectar much to the hummingbirds’ delight. Birds also find shelter and nesting opportunities among low-growing and upright Arctostaphylos species, including ‘Pacific Mist’ and ‘Dr. Hurd.’
In the Redwood Grove, mature trees anchor a seasonal dry creek bed designed to slow stormwater runoff from the guest house downspouts while helping recharge groundwater. A handmade redwood bridge leads to a shaded seating area nestled beneath the evergreen canopy. Azaleas, Heuchera, Carex, ferns, and ornamental grasses keep this gathering space soft, lush, and verdant throughout the year. This area offers a quiet counterpoint to the open meadow, highlighting the diversity of experiences possible within a single Sonoma County landscape.
The extensive hobby orchard includes more than 15 fruit tree varieties selected for low chill hours, appropriate pollinizers, and a staggered harvest schedule, allowing the homeowners to enjoy fresh-picked fruit nearly year-round. Type A and B avocados, Meyer lemons, Santa Rosa plums, apples, pears, nectarines, peaches, and cherries all thrive under the Sonoma County sun. Shout out to our friends at Urban Tree Farm in Santa Rosa and Harmony Farm Supply in Sebastopol for their exceptional selections. Strong local partnerships play an important role in creating resilient, regionally adapted landscapes.
We are grateful for the artistry and expertise from these Sonoma County horticulturalists, craftsmen, and creators that contributed to this Sonoma Mountain project:
Project Ecological Benefits:
Restoration in Riparian habitat
Big tree plantings selected to support wildlife
CA native annual wildflower seeding + mowing schedule
Biodiverse planting in meadow featuring mostly CA Native plants
Invasive Pennisetum removal from previous owner
Water-wise drip irrigation and Hydrazones by water needs
Large scale on site composting to build soil health
Integrated Pest Management approach to garden care
Valley Oak Tree standing proudly in front of a Sonoma County vista
Riparian habitat restoration with CA Native trees including Populus fremonitii, Aceculus californica, and Alnus rhombifolia
Quiet seating area perfect for bird watching beneath the Redwoods
Seasonal dry creek capturing rain water and conveying it across the landscape to soak in. Handcrafted Redwood bridge crossing
Certified Wildlife Habitat
Bird habitat plantings designed with layered CA native plants: Matilija Poppy, St Catherine's Lace Buckwheat, and Dr. Hurd Manzanita. Owl box in the distance
In progress planting at the property guest house featuring ornamental grasses, perennial pollinator plants, groundcovers, and low evergreen shrubs
Salvia clevlandii and Muhlenbergia rigens in the foreground
Matrix meadow planting with wide gravel pathways for easy circulation
California Poppies spread throughout the meadow planting, mixing beautifully with Salvia clevlandii, Ceanothus, and Phlomis
The spring wildflower bloom extends for many months in this meadow style planting
CA Native coffeeberries and buckwheats
Fall photography admist the meadow planting featuring CA Fuchsia's red/orange blooms
Foggy autumn morning settling above the meadow matrix planting. Key plants pictured: Ceanothus, Muhlenbergia rigens, Tagetes lemmonii
Maples in the December morning mist
Wild Earth pup Tara observes the wildflower understory alongside the home's back patio
Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak)
CA Native oak woodland
Riparian plants of Cottonwoods and Cattails fill the streambed
Health check on Yellow Willow in the riparian corridor
Kelsi checks a young Acer Macrophyllum (Big Leaf Maple)
Buds opening into blossoms in early springtime in the backyard fruit orchard