Catherine Millar's Garden
Oakland
Years gardened at this location: The native plant garden is 5 years old
Garden size: 3,500-square-foot back garden only is on the tour
Showcase feature: This lush, enchanting woodland garden, designed and installed by Four Dimensions Landscape Development, invites you to explore its hidden reaches. An elegant stone seating bench and comfortable hammock hospitably ask you to relax and enjoy the view. The steep slope was made accessible by a series of terraces connected by a charming winding path.
Other garden attractions:
- Garden is planted with 100% local native plants.
- Plants were chosen because they will thrive on a shady, north-facing slope.
- "We have no pest problems, we have an ecosystem. I hope there are a lot of insects here," says the designer.
- Weeds are not a problem in this densely planted garden.
Gardening for Wildlife: Oak woodland plant communities support a high level of biodiversity. The local native plants attract a variety of birds and beneficial insects.
Garden Talks: 12:30 "Creating a Shady Woodland Garden: Using California Native Plant Communities as a Model for Planting Design" by Michael Thilgen of Four Dimensions Landscape Company