Glendale Homeowner Transforms Lawn into Vibrant Native Garden

Christopher Smee replaces Bermuda grass with California-friendly plants to honor the area's natural landscape

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:22am

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After moving from England to Glendale, California, Christopher Smee decided to transform his traditional front yard lawn into a thriving native garden. Removing the Bermuda grass and tropical plants, Smee worked with landscape designers to plant a variety of California-native species that attract local wildlife and honor the area's natural landscape.

Why it matters

Smee's native garden project highlights a growing trend in Los Angeles of homeowners rejecting water-intensive lawns in favor of drought-tolerant, environmentally-friendly landscaping. As the region grapples with water scarcity, gardens like Smee's demonstrate how residents can do their part to conserve resources while also creating vibrant, biodiverse outdoor spaces.

The details

In 2021, Smee removed the Bermuda grass lawn and tropical plants from his 1925 French-style home in Glendale's Rossmoyne Historic District. Working with landscape designers, he planted a variety of California native species including toyon, California poppies, white sage, and more. Smee also installed a water fountain and patio to create an inviting outdoor living space. The project cost around $20,000 after a turf removal rebate from the local utility.

  • Smee and his husband bought the Glendale home in 2021.
  • They removed the Bermuda grass lawn and tropical plants that same year.
  • The native garden was planted in July 2021, which is typically a challenging time, but the drought-tolerant plants thrived.

The players

Christopher Smee

A 45-year-old former flight attendant who moved from England to Glendale and transformed his traditional front yard into a vibrant native garden.

Ryan Tish

Smee's husband, who grew up in Los Angeles and helped with the garden project.

Glendale Water and Power

The local utility that provided a $1,596 rebate to Smee and his husband for removing 798 square feet of turf.

Guillaume Lemoine

The landscape designer who helped Smee plan a formal French-style garden using California native plants.

Roger Ridlehoover and Maria Maturano

Landscape designers from Land Design Project who removed the lawn and installed the native plant garden.

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What they’re saying

“I love the majesty and structure of the white sage. I love the color, and when I learned about its importance to the Indigenous community, I felt it should be at the center of the garden.”

— Christopher Smee

“I always had a vision of walking down the porch steps, turning straight into the garden, and being able to walk to the wine terrace. You want to get some usage and joy out of your garden. Not just something to look at when you drive by.”

— Christopher Smee

What’s next

Smee plans to continue volunteering at the Sunshine Preserve, a 3.5-acre site in Glendale, where he and other volunteers have been removing invasive plants and planting native species like oak trees and white sage to help rebuild local wildlife habitats.

The takeaway

Smee's native garden project shows how homeowners can transform their yards into vibrant, water-wise landscapes that support local ecosystems. By replacing a traditional lawn with drought-tolerant California plants, Smee has created a beautiful outdoor space that brings joy to his family and the surrounding community.