Bay Area garden extravaganza with danger garden

Portland garden writer Loree Bohl, the mastermind behind the danger garden blog and author of the Timber Press book Fearless Gardening, is an old friend. Loree had been wanting to visit for some time, and finally the stars were aligned just right. We spent three jam-packed days visiting gardens in the East Bay, both public and private, meeting old friends and making new ones. It was an exhilarating weekend – exhausting, yes, but in the best way when you’re tired, yet completely content.

I’ll have individual posts over the next month. Here’s a teaser to whet your appetite.

Ruth Bancroft Garden, Walnut Creek

The first garden Loree and I visited was the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek. I had just been there, but for Loree it had been six years.

Tracy’s garden, Livermore

Tracy chronicles the evolution of her garden on her blog tzgarden. Both Loree and I knew her garden from photos, but seeing it in person offered a completely new perspective. Suffice it to say that the three of us are kindred spirits.

Max and Justin’s garden, Oakland

Max and Justin are mutual friends. I had visited their garden in Oakland 4½ years ago, but Loree had never seen it in person. Their garden is small, but it’s bursting with special plants.

Ann Nichols’ garden, Piedmont

It seems like everybody in the Bay Area knows Ann Nichols’ garden. No wonder, it’s spectacular. I’d been there in 2017 as part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program and was thrilled to get to see it again – this time without the crowds.

Marcia Donahue’s garden, Berkeley

The garden of ceramic artist Marcia Donahue has inspired gardeners in the Bay Area and beyond for 40 years. It’s the kind of lush paradise that is only possible in the Goldilocks climate of Berkeley and other Bay Area cities near the water. It’s also the perfect venue to display her signature creations.

David’s garden, Kensington

David is a great example of how plant people in the Bay Area are interconnected. David works for landscape designer Mat McGrath whose spectacular garden I featured last October and he now lives in Mat’s old house in Kensington. In addition, he takes care of Ann Nichols’ garden once a week!

UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley

I’ve been to the UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley many times, but never in March/April when thousands of bulbs are in bloom on the South Africa hill. The floral display did not disappoint!

Wave Garden, Point Richmond

Our last stop was the Wave Garden in Point Richmond. It’s privately owned, but open to the public. I’d visited in 2014, 2015, and 2017, but I’d heard rumors that the property might have been sold. Fortunately, the Wave Garden is still there and looks pretty much the way it always has.

I’m so glad that Loree came down from Portland and beyond grateful to our friends Max and Justin for making these garden visits possible. Plant people are the best!

Click here to read Loree's post about our adventure.

© Gerhard Bock, 2025. All rights reserved. To receive all new posts by email, please subscribe here.