Western Hills Garden News-August 2022

News from the Garden

Issue 3 I August 2022

Summer in bloom.

So many flowers. Roses. Grevilleas and Banksias. Hydrangeas. Lilies of all types. Agapanthus. Salvia. Alstroemeria. And our stunner, the Blue Puya, which gave us—and the bees—quite a show this year.

We hope you’ve had a nice summer. We’ve been busy since we last wrote. Our soft opening has been a resounding success. Thanks to those who helped us test our systems by joining us for a day visit, tour, or class! We’ve loved meeting you and hearing your feedback.

As fall approaches (and our one year anniversary!), we’re working hard on securing our fiscal sponsorship and nonprofit status. We’re also excited to launch our pilot membership program—see below!

Come for a day visit.

Open dates are currently live on the website through October, and we plan to add winter and spring 2023 dates by September 1st.

Visits are by appointment only ... but if you're driving by and see that we are open, appointments can often be made on the spot. Or email us with a date request, and we’ll see what we can work out!

Come wander the paths and bridges, sit by a pond, and marvel at the many plant and tree varieties. Sketch, write, muse, admire. Each visit block is for 90 minutes.

Day visits are $10 per person. Children under 12 are free. Friendly dogs on leash welcome. Feel free to bring a picnic or a bottle as long as you pack out your waste.

Click the button below to schedule your visit today.

SCHEDULE A DAY VISIT

Become a member.

We’re excited to pilot our new membership program! Do you want to come more regularly? Or help support our preservation and operations efforts? Consider becoming a member. We have five different levels to choose from— including a six-pack of day visits (Day Tripper), a locals pass (Sonoma County Local), and a Super Fan membership that includes unlimited visits for two people plus 12 guest passes. Click the button below for more details on each level and to sign up!

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

Volunteer.

Our amazing and skilled volunteers come on Tuesday mornings from 10am-1pm. They propagate, prune, weed, and plant. We welcome you to join the crew! Register below. All levels welcome, from novice to expert.

Have other skills you’d like to offer (marketing, photography, blogging, fundraising, tech, construction, etc.)? Let us know! As a start-up organization we’ve got lots of needs and can use all the help we can get! Click the button below, and let us know you’re interested.

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION

Some new press.

We’ve had some good press coverage since we last reached out. Thanks to Meg McConahey of the Press Democrat and Greg Thomas of the SF Chronicle for the articles! Click the buttons below to read them.

SF CHRONICLE

PRESS DEMOCRAT

What we’re reading.

Making a Last Stand: Acer Pentaphyllum. William McNamara for Pacific Horticulture.

A short history of the Acer Pentaphyllum and the tree’s connection to the Bay Area and Western Hills Garden.

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants. Robin Wall Kimmerer.

A remarkable reminder of how ecological consciousness and healing comes from recognizing our reciprocal relationships with plants and other beings.

Orwell’s Roses. Rebecca Solnit.

A wonderful journey into the life of George Orwell through the lens of his gardening passion and Rebecca Solnit’s literary brilliance. She writes, “Gardens are an act of political refuge, an act of hope, and a place of solace in uncertain times.” We couldn’t agree more.

Get in touch.

Are you a photographer interested in scheduling a shoot in our garden wonderland? A nonprofit or school leader with a partnership idea? A group wanting to take a tour? Don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to talk! Email us at hello@westernhillsgarden.com.

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