Alameda Butterfly Habitat Garden
at Bay Farm Elementary School
200 Aughinbaugh Road, Alameda
Years gardened at this location: 5 years
Lot size: half acre total; 60’ x 60’ garden; 100’ x 60’ meadow
Showcase feature: This delightful half acre butterfly sanctuary, located on the grounds of Bay Farm Elementary School, was designed to provide food and shelter for larval and adult butterflies. Don't miss the child-made stepping-stone mosiacs and signage. This garden, a riot of spring color, attracts butterflies and children alike.
Other garden attractions:
- More than 100 species of trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, grasses, and annuals that provide food for caterpillars and adult butterflies are on display.
- Bring your sick plants! A Master Gardener Plant Doctor booth will be staffed throughout the day.
- Splashing fountain contains a barley pad, an environmentally-safe way to control algae in fountains and ponds.
- New native wildflower meadow should be gorgeous. Ask how you can transform your own lawn (or weed patch) into a natural meadow.
Gardening for Wildlife: Butterflies, moths, and bees love this garden and the plants selected specifically to attract them! To attract butterflies, nectar and host plants have been thoughtfully chosen, a fountain and birdbath provide water, and rotting logs and thickets provide shelter from strong winds and predators. Because many butterflies over winter as pupae (not adults), the gardeners are cautious when pruning host plants (where butterflies lay their eggs and larvae feed during the cool weather). The dense plantings provide thickets and shelter for birds.
Garden Talks: Butterfly gardener extraordinaire Marla Lee will be available to answer questions throughout the day.
Plants sold or given away: Butterfly-attracting plants and butterfly-shaped baked goods, native-themed art, and other crafts and food—donated by Girl Scouts and students—will be sold. Proceeds will benefit the garden.
Directions:
From Berkeley/Oakland/San Francisco areas:
Take 880 SOUTH/San Jose/Alameda
Take HIGH St. Exit/Stay Right/Turn RIGHT onto HIGH St.
Continue through the next light and over the bridge/stay in left lane
Take the first LEFT after the bridge onto FERNSIDE
Continue on FERNSIDE past a school until it dead ends at OTIS
Turn LEFT onto OTIS/Stay in the right lane over the bridge
Take the first RIGHT after the bridge onto ISLAND DRIVE
Turn RIGHT at the stoplight onto ROBERT DAVEY DRIVE
Continue on ROBERT DAVEY until it dead ends at AUGHINBAUGH
Turn RIGHT onto AUGHINBAUGH
The parking lot for the school and garden is on the left.
From San Jose/Fremont areas:
Take 880 NORTH/Oakland
Take HIGH St. Exit/at the stoplight, turn LEFT onto HIGH street
Continue through the next light and over the bridge/stay in left lane
Take the first LEFT after the bridge onto FERNSIDE
Continue on FERNSIDE past a school until it dead ends at OTIS
Turn LEFT onto OTIS/Stay in the right lane over the bridge
Take the first RIGHT after the bridge onto ISLAND DRIVE
Turn RIGHT at the stoplight onto ROBERT DAVEY DRIVE
Continue on ROBERT DAVEY until it dead ends at AUGHINBAUGH
Turn RIGHT onto AUGHINBAUGH
The parking lot for the school and garden is on the left.