St. Elizabeth’s Elementary School Garden
Oakland
Years gardened at this location: 1 year
Size: 4,800 square feet
Showcase feature:More than 300 native plant species have been planted in this school garden; close to 50 are endangered or special status species. The Sister’s goal was to create a wildlife habitat garden that would provide food, shelter and nesting areas for insects, birds, and mammals. The Sisters, teachers and students have been delighted with the result. Many of the plants included in this diverse garden were once common in the East Bay, and are now locally rare or extirpated. The garden, designed and installed by Pete Veilleux of east bay wilds, was an ivy bed for 90 years prior to being planted in January of 2004.
Other garden attractions:
- A 91 year old neighbor reports that “the garden was so beautiful in spring it took my breath away.”
- Thick mulch outcompetes weeds and holds water.
- This is a hot site, with clay hardpan.
- Plants with bright flowers and unusual colors or shapes were used throughout to attract the students.
- Native plants are now coming up on their own.
Gardening for Wildlife: Nearly devoid of wildlife when it was an ivy bed, this garden now contains a population of California newts and toads. Bees and monarch, California sister and California dogface butterflies flit about, as do many birds.