Anita lives near Sutter Memorial hospital in a stucco deco-style house built in 1936. She is blessed with a double lot, with mature trees and shade in the front, paired with a large open sunny backyard. Retiring a few years ago has given Anita the time to devote to learning as much about gardening as she can. She has become a master gardener, and continues to take horticulture classes to expand her knowledge. She loves old roses, and works with Barbara Oliva in the Historic Rose Garden in the Sacramento Old City Cemetery. In her garden, she combines roses with perennials. Currently she is fascinated with ferns, and has the start of an impressive collection. She writes a monthly garden column for Inside Publications, in their Inside East Sacramento, Inside the City and Inside Arden editions. She has begun writing for Natomas Living, as well. Anita is in the beginning stages of a massive backyard remodel. Recent removal of an old unwanted pool and deck has opened the opportunity to completely redesign her backyard. A bit daunted by the blank canvas before her, she is mulling her options at the moment. More roses, ferns and perennials will definitely be in the final design

Addendum 2/06- Two years later, and what a difference! A crushed gravel path snakes thru new beds planted cottage style, a raised vegetable garden, and a retreat in japanese garden style."I don't call my little corner a "Japanese" garden because it was clear that all of the elements really had to be right, and I wasn't prepared to put in the study and effort. My corner is sunny, and I was told flatly by one landscape designer that there was no such thing as a sunny Japanese garden!!! Well, maybe not, but you work with what you have. Many years from now, my baby ginkgo will provide some shade - in the meantime, the "Asian" garden is sunny most of the day."