Starting Sunday, March 23, 2025, John Muir National Historic Site will be closed on Sundays and Mondays. The site will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Learn more about the diverse plants and plant communities around the Bay Area from the Pacific Coast Science & Learning Center website.
Growing a Local and Natural Habitat
In addition to the historic orchards, native trees, and plants around the park property, the John Muir National Historic Site has its own Native Garden at the front and side of the visitor center building. You will notice it as you approach the visitor center entrance. As you explore this beautiful area, you'll learn more about this thriving natural habitat.
Lot Size: Approximately 3000 sq. ft. garden at visitor center, 100% native. Garden Age: Native garden was installed in the fall of 2007 and is ongoing.
What is a Native Garden?
A native garden is a type of garden that is designed to showcase and promote the use of plants that are native to a specific region or ecosystem. Native plants are those that have evolved over time to grow and thrive in a particular environment, and they are often well-suited to the local climate, soil, and wildlife.
Native gardens can be designed in a variety of ways, but they typically share certain characteristics. For example:
They feature plants that are native to the region, such as trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses.
They use naturalistic landscaping techniques, such as layering plants by height and texture, and incorporating natural features like rocks, logs, and water features.
They often incorporate native soil and mulch, which can help to support local microorganisms and reduce the need for fertilizers.
They may include habitat features like birdhouses, bee hotels, and insect shelters to provide a welcoming environment for local wildlife.
They are designed to be low-maintenance and require minimal watering, pruning, and pest control.
Native gardens offer several benefits, including:
Supporting local biodiversity: By using native plants, you can help to support local ecosystems and provide habitat for native wildlife.
Reducing water consumption: Native plants are often adapted to the local climate and require less watering than non-native plants.
Reducing maintenance: Native plants are often easier to care for and require less pruning and pest control.
Providing habitat for pollinators: Native plants are often an important source of food for local pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Creating a sense of place: Native gardens can help to create a sense of connection to the local environment and culture.
Overall, native gardens are a great way to connect with your local environment and promote biodiversity while creating a beautiful and sustainable outdoor space.
Examples of California Native Plants and Trees
Northern California is home to a diverse range of native plant species. Here are some examples:
Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens): Found in the coastal forests of Northern California, these trees are some of the tallest and oldest living things on Earth.
California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica): A fragrant, evergreen tree with dark green leaves and small, yellow flowers.
Coastal Sagebrush (Artemisia californica): A shrub that grows in coastal areas, known for its silvery-gray leaves and small, yellow flowers.
Lupine (Lupinus spp.): A variety of lupine species are found in Northern California, including the purple-flowering Lupinus arboreus and the yellow-flowering Lupinus bicolor.
Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis): A shrub that grows in coastal areas, known for its bright yellow flowers and strong, earthy scent. Male flowers are yellow, female flowers white and more showy.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica): The state flower of California, this poppy is found in dry areas and has bright orange flowers.
Buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.): Several species of buckwheat are found in Northern California, including the white-flowering Eriogonum fasciculatum and the pink-flowering Eriogonum angustifolium.
Madrone (Arbutus menziesii): A deciduous tree with bright red bark and white flowers.
Purple Needlegrass (Stipa pulchra): In addition to being the official California state grass, this grass grows in coastal areas, known for its purple-tipped seeds and delicate, feathery leaves.
Western Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia): A shrub that produces white flowers in the spring and blue-black berries in the summer.
Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia): A shrub that produces bright red berries and has maple-like leaves.
California Buckeye (Aesculus californica): A deciduous tree with palmate leaves and yellow flowers.
These are just a few examples of the many native plants found in Northern California. The region's diverse geography and climate support a wide range of plant species, and there are many more native plants to discover!
The Development of a Native Garden at The John Muir Visitor Center: A Sustainable Initiative for Conservation and Education
On a "Ranch Days" event in 2006, volunteers and (then) Park Superintendent Lucy Lawliss surveyed the sterile lawn and non-native plants in front of the visitor center. Realizing that this landscape was not reflective of John Muir's life-long passion for natural habitats, they decided to create a garden that would.
In August of that year, thanks to a generous donation from Friends of Alhambra Creek, which got the project underway, the lawn was removed and the transformation began. The resulting vibrant, low-maintenance garden was designed by Greg Wolford of Californica Landscapes and is maintained by volunteers from Friends of Alhambra Creek, the California Native Plant Society, and others.
The garden was doubled in size by a BSA Eagle Scout candidate in 2012. The expanded garden now occupies the north side of the visitor center, where old turf and landscape fabric once stood.
The creation of this garden is not only a tribute to Muir's work but also a way to educate visitors about the importance of preserving natural habitats and promoting biodiversity. The garden serves as a model for sustainable gardening practices and provides a peaceful oasis for visitors to enjoy.
Monarch butterfly.
Photo: Eric@adobe
Gardening for Wildlife
Where native flowers bloom, wildlife follows! Native bees, butterflies, and ladybugs are at home here. Berry-bearing trees and shrubs such as Toyon, Berberis, and Manzanita attract birds. The Muir Garden is one of many on the Alhambra Native Plant Trail, which begins at the Martinez Amtrak Station Garden and ends at the Muir Garden. We hope to see you in the garden.
Additional Garden Features
Monarch feeding stations. Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed) and A. fascicularis (narrowleaf milkweed) for larvae
American Penstemon Society provided penstemons
Interpretive panel introducing visitors to the garden
Grouping of Perideridia kelloggii (yampah) for the anise swallowtail
Activity TBD
The transformed garden has been a real water savings for the park. The water-consuming lawns gone, the natives are watered only occasionally in the summer, most by well water.
A List of Plants in Our Native Garden
The following table provides a list of all the plants that are currently in our John Muir National Historic Site native garden at the visitor center. We will continue to add photos and links to more information on each plant, as we are able to do so.
