© Saxon Holt Photography
Jenny and Scott Fleming’s garden
Berkeley
Garden Lot size: 1.5 acres
Years gardened at this location (Gardening Experience): 50+ years
Showcase feature: The leading native plant garden in private ownership in California was started by Jenny and Scott in the 1950s. Designed and installed by the owners, from the cedars at the top of the steep slope in the rear to the redwoods and ferns framing the driveway, the garden contains nearly 200 species of native plants.
In the front garden, a redwood canopy provides shade for hundreds of ferns and a variety of native woodland plants, including western azaleas, twenty-foot-high vine maples, huckleberry, salal, wild ginger, and redwood sorrel. The back garden is a steep, sunny slope traversed by a meandering path bordered by a myriad of sun-loving native plants and rock outcrops. Near the house is a red lava rock swimming pool and a waterfall and pond that flow into a stream.
Other garden attractions:
- The red fescue meadow contains a delightful mixture of bulbs, flax,
iris, and buttercups, among other flowers.
- Every crevice of this garden is filed with iris, ferns, grasses, and
other native plants.
- Many of the plants in this collector’s garden were grown from seed and
cuttings gathered by Jenny and Scott.
- Spectacular view of the Bay from the top of the garden.
Gardening for Wildlife: This garden attracts birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
Garden Talks: The gardener, Luke Hass, will be available throughout the day to answer questions.
Native plant-related items sold/given away: The California Natives Plant Society will sell native plant reference books and memberships. Join CNPS today and be entered in a drawing to receive a free landscape consultation!