NOTE: The trails are steep and narrow, and should not be walked by those with balance issues. Most of the garden can be seen from the driveway, which is ADA accessible.
Showcase Feature
A majestic north-facing oak and bay woodland with a thriving, diverse understory of native plants graces this lovely property. If you have oaks, this garden is a must-see! Wear sturdy shoes and take the narrow path up the slope through the intact native woodland, which is tended by Kiah Dennerstein of Liminal Grounds.
Other Garden Attractions
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- One of the guided tours (see schedule below) check out the newly installed Pacific Chorus frog pond at the bottom of the hill, and the…
- Stream restoration project, which used “gulley-stuffing” – a beaver-dam analog – to retain water and control erosion.
- In the record-breaking rain at the end of 2022, a large landslide developed, taking out a few trees and opening up a half acre of open space. Come see how this area is being restored with local native plants.
- Selective weeding (the Bradley Method) has allowed the native biodiversity to flourish under the oak-bay canopy.
- An increasing number of California newts (Taricha torosa) are being seen in the garden, as are dragonflies and native mammals.
Gardening for Wildlife
In May, variable checkerspot, swallowtail, and other butterflies are frequently seen, as are alligator and western fence lizards, and a variety of native bees. More rarely seen are slender salamanders, ring-necked and gopher snakes, and western rattlers. Western tanagers, red-shouldered hawks, and even a piliated woodpecker have been spotted.
Keystone species in this garden (watch this talk by Doug Tallamy!)
Keystone species—our own, local ecological powerhouse plants—in this garden include coast live oak, wild rose, California lilac, gooseberry, hazelnut, lupine, manzanita, aster, native strawberry, ocean spray, elderberry, and sages.
Displays
Kiah Dennerstein will set up a self-service tea station.
Music in the Garden
TBD
Garden Talks
11:00 Guided tour of the frog pond and stream restoration project. Wear good shoes; it is a long and steep trail— led by Kiah Dennerstein and Robert Symens-Bucher.
12:00 “Restoration from a landslide in the East Bay hills” by Alan Harper and Kiah Dennerstein
1:00 “Restoring native grasslands in a wildfire zone ” by Noah Miller
2:00 “Edible native plant walk” by Kiah Dennerstein
2:00 “Medicinal Native Plant Walk” by Kiah Dennerstein
3:00 Guided tour of the frog pond and stream restoration project. Wear good shoes; it is a long and steep trail— led by Kiah Dennerstein and Robert Symens-Bucher.
Just-published native plant book available here!
Purchase a copy of the recently-published “Guide to the flora of the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir | una guía a la flora de la Sierra de San Pedro Mártir” 
$35 on the day of the Tour: cash, checks, or PayPal only.
Rest and enjoy your bring-your-own lunch
Enjoy seating around the pool, with quiet music playing.
Photos
Click to see as a slideshow:
