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Dena Serrato's Garden

When Dena Serrato and April Walker moved into their house and garden in 1995,  the property was covered in lawn. There were many mature trees on the property, but although Dena was an Advanced Master Gardener, she didn’t know how to I.D. them.

She set out to learn more about woody plants by taking classes through the local Ecological Gardening program and by joining the Royal Oak Nature Society. She soon caught the native plant bug and set out to replace the lawn with natives.

Thirty years later most of the lawn is gone and the backyard is an ‘arboretum’ of trees, shrubs and plants that includes a lovely community of spring wildflowers and ferns. As a professed plant addict, Dena also collects non-invasive plants including hostas and Japanese maples.

Now in retirement, Dena and April enjoy caring for their ‘sanctuary in the city’ and find wonder in all of the creatures that visit throughout the seasons.