It was such a beautiful, sunny day last Saturday we decided to spend the afternoon walking through the Native Plant Botanical Gardens in the Regional Park between Orinda and Berkeley.
Entrance
We had been there for plant sales before, but Saturday there were few people, beautiful sunny weather, and an atmosphere for casual strolling. (The plant sales have a million people and long lines to purchase.) It was lovely just to get to enjoy the plantings. My pictures of most of the natives were nothing to write home about because it was mid-day and actually there was too much sun for photos. The garden has streams and interesting bridges, narrow paths, and sections devoted to each part of the State of California. It is a great resource and we are lucky we live so close. It even has a guide for what you might see blooming each month. Once we got to the redwood forest section I was able to get some acceptable shots, however. There is something about the redwoods of California-so symbolic of the state.
Snowdrop or snowbell bush "Styrax officinalis var. redivivus"
Bridge over Wildcat Creek
Wildcat Creek
The Redwood Section:
Redwood Forest
Rhododendron
Excellent signage in this garden
Azalea
We will have to check in each month and not just go for the sale, now that we have the brochure that lists what we are likely to see.
