Sage & Slope

Sage + Slope is my personal demonstration garden in El Cajon, where I’m exploring the beauty and resilience of California’s native landscapes on a steep hillside overlooking the valley. The garden brings together several distinct California plant communities, including a desert-inspired section, coastal sage scrub, and chaparral, creating a living collection of plants that thrive in our region’s varied conditions. A dry creek bed, fed by the home’s gutters, captures and slows rainwater while adding movement and structure to the landscape. A simple seating area offers a place to pause, enjoy the view, and experience the garden as it changes throughout the seasons. A nearby water feature adds soothing sound and movement, creating a peaceful gathering place within the landscape. More than a garden, Sage + Slope is a place to experiment, learn, and share how beautiful, habitat-rich landscapes can be created using plants that are adapted to California.