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Inspiration Garden

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Welcome to the Inspiration Garden located in the Courtyard at the Roseville Utility Exploration Center in Mahany Park. It was developed by Roseville's Water Utility as a resource for residents. Featuring four themes, this Garden is a living demonstration that water-efficient gardens are beautiful, require lower maintenance, and they are the best match for California living.

Theme 1: Shade Garden - Plants at the entry to the Courtyard thrive in part shade to shade. Another bonus is that they are modest in size, making them perfect for small gardens, narrow spaces such as along the sides of homes, and shady entryways. Featured are a mix of some all-time favorites, such as Azaleas and Camellias, along with lesser known plants that are gaining in popularity.

Theme 2: Focal Garden - Once inside the Courtyard, the Focal Garden is up front and center, showing examples of plants that have that Wow! factor by displaying a variety of colors and textures for year-round interest. A small portion of this garden has moderate water-use plants that are irrigated by a separate valve from the larger portion that has low water-use plants with their own valve. This provides plants in both areas with the amount and frequency of water needed for optimum plant health.

Theme 3: Pollinator Garden - Here plants pull double duty. In addition to having beautiful flowers, they attract and support bees and other pollinators, butterflies, hummingbirds, insects, and all the life in the garden that contributes to the balance of nature.

Theme 4: Sun Garden - While providing punches of color and movement in the garden, these plants thrive in our cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. As these beautiful trees mature, they will come to the rescue, providing cooling shade and habitat for Garden Life. Visit the Roseville Urban Forest Foundation (RUFF) for shade trees that are perfect for our region at https://rosevilletree.org/

Theme 5: Rain Garden - Every drop counts in our California gardens, and the newest theme in the Inspiration Garden -- the Rain Garden, which is currently under development -- will demonstrate an effective landscape feature to do just that! Downspouts from the metal roof of the Mahany Fitness Center (formerly Roseville Sports Center) direct rain water toward the cobble-lined creak bed that slows the flow of water, so it can spread and sink into the soil, benefiting both soil organisms and plants. Spaced to allow plants to mature to their lovely, natural forms, results in less maintenance and year-round interest that can be enjoyed when outside in the Courtyard as well as inside the Fitness Center.

Inspiration Garden Tips:

Select low water-use California native and non-native plants that thrive in our climate and conditions.
Group plants according to their water and sun requirements for efficient irrigation.
Select the right plant for the right place, and space plants to give them room to grow to their mature size that results in minimal pruning and natural shapes.
Replenish organic mulch to maintain a 3-4" layer to retain soil moisture along with many other benefits.
Let nature take its course by letting the good bugs manage the unwanted pests and, only when necessary, use non-toxic solutions to protect Garden Life.

Come grow with us! We invite you to learn more about the Inspiration Garden and access numerous resources at roseville.ca.us/inspirationgarden that will help you and your family have a beautiful, easy-care, water-efficient garden.