• Entry Attraction: Colorful and fragrant plantings at the entry gate  invite exploration

• Tactile Pathway Edges: Fragrant and textured plantings are touchable in a five foot wide strip along raised planting beds

• Color and Sound Meadow: Bold drifts of plantings provide a spectrum of color and rustle in the breezes

• Central Water Feature: Visible from the entrance, the water feature provides lively sounds and movement in the heart of the garden

• Lavender Hill: A mass planting of several lavender species provide an impressive display of color and scent
• Bold Salvias: Vibrant colors of an array of sages draw the visitor into the garden

• Seating Area: Renewed benches provide a destination and resting spot for visitors

Volunteers registering

On Saturday October 2nd 100 volunteers participated in Be the Change Day at the Gardens at Lake Merritt. The volunteers were arranged by Hands on Bay Area. I would like to thank Hands on Bay Area and the volunteers.  They worked on several projects. This is  the habitat restoration around a bed with three large redwoods.  Before the habitat restoration the bed was turf and ivy.  The volunteers today were predominately from Kaiser Permanente.  Lots of progress in a short time thanks to many hands.

Great sounds coming from the Palmetum

Great sounds coming from the Palmetum during last years Anniversary Celebration.  Come this Sunday June 6th for more music and a day of varied activities.

We had a great work day on Saturday, April 17 in the Torii Gate Garden with volunteers of all ages.

The group was comprised primarily of a team from PG&E.

The major focus of our work was beginning a new stone beach for the pond in the garden.

Volunteers also did some excavation to install some electric conduit, and general weeding.

Everyone pitched in and got a lot accomplished.

And there was still time to take a break and check out the gardens’ newest residents– ducklings!