THE 2004 GARDEN TOUR GARDENS

GARDEN #1 (McKinleyville -- residential)

The owners consider their backyard a work in progress, with much still 
to be done. When Bob and Anna Mae moved into their McKinleyville tract 
home 4 years ago, the small back yard was completely bare. Their 
planning included two goals: to attract as many birds as possible and to 
landscape with only native trees and shrubs. To add some variety and 
color, they planted a large flower bed full of exotics and constructed a 
covered birdfeeding structure. The feeding structure is located so that 
the owners can watch birds while they eat their meals. The overall 
effect is very pleasing to them.

GARDEN #2 (Fieldbrook -- residential)

This garden is a mixture of native and ornamental plants, with the 
emphasis on natives. Pete and Judy have combined their interests in 
entomology, botany, wildlife biology, and gardening to create an area 
that attracts a diversity of wildlife. Most of the property, which was 
essentially a pasture when the owners bought it, has been planted with 
native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Some of the grassland still 
exists but now there is also, along with a vegetable garden and orchard, 
a small "forest" with species such as Port Orford cedar, coastal redwood, 
and vine maple; a screen of native plants along the periphery, with 
species like silk tassel, wax myrtle, and ninebark; and a small serpentine 
area, with species such as beach buckwheat, firecracker flower, and 
clarkia.

GARDEN #3 (Arcata -- commercial)

The 20 acres of restored natural area within the Potawot (the Wiyot name 
for Mad River) Health Village at United Indian Health Services is a 
conservation easement dedicated to enhance and protect the wetlands 
meadows. The restoration area is known as Ku'wah-wilth, which means
"comes back to life". The restoration area promotes the traditional 
American Indian philosophy that the health of the environment is directly 
related to the health of the individual. The trail loop is approximately 
0.75 miles, with educational signs along the way. Stroll the trails to 
experience the community food garden and herb garden (with both 
traditional American Indian and European culinary and medicinal herbs), 
orchards, Ish-took Basket Garden (planted with hazel, beargrass, alder, 
spruce, willow, ferns, and soap root), stormwater wetland, and upland, 
seasonal wetland, and meadow ecosystems. Docents will provide 
interpretation at some locations.

GARDEN #4 (Arcata -- commercial)

A native plant garden to display native flora and to provide a natural 
outdoor setting for various academic pursuits has sprung from the 
playing field of this school as a result of a great collective effort 
begun in 1994. It now hosts about 120 species of native plants growing 
in eight habitat groups from redwood forest to coastal prairie. Its 
thickets attract birds to roost and nest; its abundant, leafy foliage 
attracts insectivorous birds; its many berry-bearing plants attract 
fruit-eating birds; its flowers attract hummingbirds. Of course, it is 
home to pocket gophers and moles but its native grassy patches also host 
voles. Tree frogs and Red-legged Frogs are here, despite the lack of open 
water. Caterpillars abound. All this is a mere 6000 square feet! Docents 
will be available to answer questions.

GARDEN #5 (Freshwater -- commercial)

Freshwater Farms is a full-service plant grower and consultant. 
Its focus is producing coastal California native trees, shrubs, grasses, 
and herbaceous perennials for both wholesale and retail clients. The 
nursery is situated on 80 acres adjacent to the Freshwater creek estuary 
near Three Corners on Myrtle Avenue in Eureka. Its display gardens and 
field production area are viewable to the general public by a trail 
adjacent to Freshwater Creek. The walk along the trail also makes for 
great wildlife viewing. Included along the way are wetland troughs and a 
willow orchard with five species of coastal willows available. There is 
also a launching site for those wanting to canoe the slough. Business 
hours are 9-5 Monday-Friday and weekends by appointment. [NOTE: Freshwater 
Farms will be the refreshment and restroom stop on our tour, with punch, 
cookies, and portapotties provided.]

GARDEN #6 (Eureka -- residential)

The original focus point of this half-acre property was a 
long-existing Redwood stump with a Douglas fir and huckleberry growing 
from it. With native trees, shrubs, and ferns forming a backbone, the 
owner asked landscape designer Mary Gearheart to create a Japanese-style 
garden that incorporates additional California natives. Among the plants 
that Mary added: several species of manzanita, vine maple, mock-orange, 
western azalea, western columbine, and blue-eyed grass. Several beds of 
hybrid rhododendrons give color to the garden in spring. Birds seen on 
the property during June are Steller's Jay, White-crowned Sparrow, 
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, Black-headed Grosbeak, and 
"once" a Western Tanager bathing in the backyard fountain. [Designer 
Mary Gearheart will be available from 1-4 pm to answer questions.]

GARDEN #7 (Eureka -- commercial)

Ten years ago, the Northern California Community Blood Bank built a new 
blood center. As a not-for-profit organization, it was important to think 
of design and practicality and to create a pleasant environment that was 
cost efficient. Blood bank staff hoped to create building grounds that 
incorporated all native plants. In discussions with the architect and 
landscape designer Doug Deppe, the center chose plants that look good and 
are easy to maintain. While the initial cost was higher, long-term 
maintenance is significantly less expensive. A drip irrigation system was 
built but only needed for the first couple of years. The plants survive 
with very little maintenance by the groundskeeper. The landscaping looks 
pleasant, especially in spring, when many of the plants are in bloom. In 
the fall, huckleberries are ripe for picking and blood donors and flocks 
of robins and Cedar Waxwings swarm the bushes. If donors can beat the birds 
to the ripe berries, staff members often are rewarded with a delicious pie! 
The garden includes manzanita, vine maple, California buckeye, red alder, 
ceanothus, red-twig dogwood, Pacific dogwood, flannelbush, silktassel, 
tanbark oak, ironwood, Oregon grape, longleaf mahonia, sticky monkey 
flower, wax myrtle, beach pine, red flowering currant, redwood, California 
bay, evergreen and red huckleberry, and California fuchsia. Docents will be 
available to answer questions.

GARDEN #8 (Eureka -- residential

This garden and home are in one of Eureka's "hidden spots". Since Deborah 
and Joe moved here almost 2 years ago, their focus in the yard has been 
to remove hazards and invasive plants. To increase their knowledge of 
local plants and gardening, Joe is taking classes and attending walks and 
talks as often as possible. A very small year-round stream runs through 
the fern garden and into a slightly larger stream that flows along the 
east side of the property. In the winter, the garden receives only a few 
minutes of direct sunlight, so lichens and bryophytes abound. There are 
seven kinds of native berry plants and the owners plan to add more as well 
as shade-tolerant native flowering plants.

GARDEN #9 (Eureka -- residential)

These gardens are situated on 2.5 acres in the center of Eureka, 
surrounding the historic Zanone House. There are a wide variety of garden 
areas, ranging from formal gardens, natural areas, cottage gardens, and 
even a young redwood forest. Ponds, streams, and trails make this a unique 
wonderland of living things. Designer Eve Gilmore has converted a section 
overlooking a small perennial stream into a natural plant garden, with over 
50 species of native Humboldt County plants. A nature trail and boardwalk 
wind through a wild area with skunk cabbage and a variety of wetland 
vegetation. This is a paradise for birds, with a wide diversity of habitats. 
A Great Blue Heron visits the fishpond regularly for a gourmet meal! 
[Designer Eve Gilmore will be available from 1-4 pm to answer questions.]

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