Joaquin Miller Park Native Plant Nursery
3594 Sanborn Road (behind the Woodminster Ampitheatre), Oakland
Gardening experience: 5 years at this location
Garden size: 400 square-foot demonstration garden, 5,000 square-foot grassland and coastal scrub restoration project, and extensive nursery
Showcase feature: This fabulous native plant nursery contains three areas of interest. At the entrance is a compact demonstration garden featuring local natives. The second feature is an extensive serpentine grassland restoration project in an area once infested with acacia and broom. Most importantly, inside you will find available for sale a spectacular array of more than 100 species of plants native to Oakland’s Sausal Creek watershed.
Other garden attractions:
- Ask about opportunities to join the Friends of Sausal Creek collecting seed, restoring native plant communities, and propagating native plants (or see www.SausalCreek.org).
- The serpentine grassland located just above the nursery contains native bunchgrasses, Ithuriel’s spear, gold nuggets, and a delicate white tarweed. Natives began appearing and thriving when the acacias were removed.
- The nursery is a cooperative project between the Friends of Sausal Creek and the City of Oakland.
- Enjoy lunch while shopping! Sausages, Boca burgers, chips, and drinks will be available for purchase (while supplies last)
Gardening for Wildlife: The plants grown here are selected for their importance in habitat restoration—making them excellent candidates for creating habitat in the home garden as well. Check out the signs describing habitat value and aesthetic merit.
Garden Talks: 10:30 and 12:30 "Plant propagation for habitat restoration" by Karen Paulsell
Plants sold or given away: More than 100 species of plants native to the Sausal Creek watershed will be available for purchase. The plant list can be downloaded from www.sausalcreek.org.
Directions: From Hwy 13 take the Joaquin Miller/Lincoln Ave. exit and go uphill 3/4 miles. Look on the median for a sign that says "Woodminster Ampitheatre" and another small sign that says "Native Plant Nursery." The road is labeled Sanborn to the left and Robinson to the right. Turn left onto Sanborn Rd and go 0.2 miles uphill. Park and walk past the yellow road-block sign gate across the road, following signs to the nursery. Stay left at the fork (a sign will direct you), and look for the nursery on your left. It is a pleasant 3-minute stroll to the nursery, past native oaks, madrones, and bunchgrasses.
Parking: Park in the Community Center parking lot on the left.
Gardened areas plant list: Plants in the garden, on the hillside, and around the pond