Today we’re in Altadena Meadows, California, visiting Andrea Donnellan’s beautiful garden. This is a space she created with the designer Arturo Pedroza. He designed the garden and put in the initial plants. That has evolved into a gardening partnership over the years. When her son was small, they put in a lawn and then later converted it to the more water-responsible garden that is there now.

Each year, Andrea scatters wildflower seeds, and the abundant winter rains in California this year have turned the garden into a colorful superbloom.

Sheets of California poppies (Eschscholzia californica, annual) fill the garden with bright orange, complementing the purple flowers of lavender (Lavandula stoechas, Zones 7–9).

The garden’s resident dinosaur is enjoying the superbloom as well.

The poppies are absolutely stunning.

California poppies are native to the west coast of North America, but they thrive as annuals in many gardens. There are selected forms in a wide range of colors, but it is hard to beat the original bright sunny orange.

Andrea first planted African daisy (Osteospermum hybrid, Zones 10–11 or grown as an annual) in front of the house, and now it volunteers along their parkway. In the foreground are the delicate blue flowers of the California native baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii, annual).

A closer look at the African daisy flowers.

Rosea purple iceplant (Drosanthemum floribundum, Zones 10–11) was planted nearly three decades ago and is still adding beautiful color to the hillside.

This water-wise garden includes many natives while also being a really beautiful space.

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