Hidden Gems

Our native plant collection has grown over the years to well over 100 species, supporting all kinds of insect and bird life here at Ulloa. It also provides for the kinds of discoveries you can usually only find out in the wilder parts of the Bay Area. For example, hidden in a corner of our garden we have one of my favorite shade-loving plants: Wild Ginger. The leaves and Stem actually smell like the ginger we're so used to cooking with, although it is in a different plant family. Native Americans once used the plant as a tea for stomach pains, though now we just use it as a tool to talk about micro-climates and as an example of a plant used by First Peoples.

Senses in the garden

Purple mustard, bright orange California Poppies, red carrots, deep blue native ceanothus flowers, pink this, purple that..lemon and rose scented geraniums, mint, fragrant culinary spices, spicy leaves, sweet strawberries

..soft cotton-like leaves, rough ones..the sound of water dribbling down our new stream or splashing out of our pump, the buzz of small insects..every day the senses are being engaged and reveled in in the garden!