News from the Garden

Spring presents a literal opportunity for us to watch life begin again, especially in the garden which looks spectacular right now. The plants are shouting their delight. Potential is everywhere.

Even the “weeds” are putting on a show with beds full of purple and white wood hyacinth, light blue forget me-nots, and white onion grass flowers. Soon we’ll move into the work of summer clearing, but we’re savoring the spring beauty, the literal and figurative examples of rebirth.
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We’ve been thinking a lot lately about the word sanctuary. Specifically how Western Hills Garden can provide a refuge for our visitors to explore themselves, their connection to nature, and their capacity to make a difference in big and small ways.
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It started with atmospheric rivers. One after another. Paths eroded and as 77 inches of rain fell so did three giant specimen trees. It continued with book releases, BAGNet (Bay Area Garden Network) membership meetings, and bridge repairs. The launch of programs – Sashiko, Color Theory, Collage, Cyanotype…. And the purchase of the adjacent three-acre property, which opens up many exciting opportunities.
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January is almost over, and in California spring comes early. The rolling Sonoma County hills are emerald green, the trees are starting to bud, and there are signs of new life everywhere. But while the days are starting to get longer, we are still savoring what’s left of winter.
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When we heard that President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping found a common meeting ground at the peaceful Filoli estate and gardens, we understood. We know that gardens heal, teach, inspire, and please, and it was satisfying to see that two of the most prominent world leaders (and their teams) felt that as well.
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The season of darkness is upon us. While world events already feel very dark, this time of year is actually about settling in and finding time for rest, comfort, and introspection. It’s also about sharing and giving. It’s about listening and observing. It’s about finding peace. All these things can be found in the garden.
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Hooray! This month, we celebrate two years of hard work and joy as stewards of Western Hills Garden. We thought we’d take the opportunity to share some personal reflections on this accomplishment. But first, thank you for your words of encouragement, your donations and memberships, and most importantly, your visits to the garden. Your support keeps us going!
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Phew. The earth continues to shout its discontent. While we’re fortunate not to be suffering under the extreme temperatures that have hit other parts of the country, there is no doubt that it has been H O T at Western Hills Garden.
Thank goodness for our extraordinary microclimates. You can move from one spot to another and experience a 15-degree temperature shift. Instant natural cooling from tree shade and understory is essential when you need a break from tending all the things.
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We often talk about how Western Hills Garden offers a sensory explosion of sights, scents, and sounds. But we mostly share stories of what the garden looks like.
This month, as we hurl headlong into summer, we stop to appreciate the sense of sound — and especially what we hear from the birds that wake us up each morning and then share their appreciation of the day at dusk.
Scroll down to read about why WHG co-owner Laura Counts loves listening to birds at the garden, and learn more about birding activities happening onsite and around the country.
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May has delivered breathtaking beauty, many new friends, and connections with a host of folks with long histories at the garden. Our spring class series was a hit, and we are excited to announce a couple of new programs this summer—scroll down for details.
Best of all, the Zelkova, which we were worried about because it didn’t lose all its leaves this fall and was very delayed in leafing out, is now sharing its full glory.
It’s exhilarating to experience our second spring, which is so very different than our first given all the winter rain. We’ve been weeding and mulching like crazy and spending as much time outdoors as possible — along with a bumper crop of mosquitos and ticks. The longer days keep our hands busy and our hearts full.
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The sunshine in the Garden feels like a salve. A sigh of relief. Nature as evidence of hope and rebirth.
What’s left of the magnolias smell exquisite. Most of the rhododendron are nearly ready. And the puya on Smokebush Hill has decided to share its bee-loving bounty.
The days’ longer light stretches across the pond which a male and female mallard have been visiting lately. We’re hoping for ducklings! And we spent time sitting on the deck last weekend trying to count the number of bird songs we heard.
Even though the weeds are jumping to attention … we’re excited for you to come visit and discover spring.
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The quiet, winter bones of the garden are preparing to flex their spring muscles. Rain and cold have made for a groggy (and boggy) start to the new year, but the color variation and textures, especially when wet, bring pops of energy to dreary days. We’re very much looking forward to longer, sunnier days but equally appreciative of the rains we so desparately need.
Despite the weather, we’ve had a few new volunteers join our Tuesday morning crew and two Sonoma State interns began working on Fridays. The additional help and fresh energy is refreshing.
One of the new volunteers recently shared an article about the health and wellness benefits of gardens. The researchers focused on how community gardening led to improved dietary choices, more connectedness, and reduced risk for chronic diseases. While we don’t produce much food here at Western Hills, we feel the truth of these words every day when we’re tending to the paths, plants, and place we call home.
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So far 2023 has been a bit of a blur in the garden. The new year brought refreshing rains that turned into an atmospheric deluge stretching the capacity of the ponds and runnels with many inches of water over many days. The soil became saturated and three of our legacy trees (that to be honest weren’t looking all that great) toppled over.
The Serbian Spruce is now in the pond and much of the blooming purple acacia and the gorgeous 100 foot weeping Golden Cypress are now mulch or ornamental garden artifacts. As you may have seen, we’ve had to close the garden to visitors through mid-February to clear debris and repair paths. But nature is hearty and so are we. We know change is constant and are excited for all that’s ahead this year.
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