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ABOUT THE GARDENS

intro · seasons · map · tour · mushrooms · staff · contest

INTRODUCTION

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens was founded in 1961 by retired nurseryman Ernest Schoefer and his wife, Betty. By 1992, the Gardens had been purchased with grants from the California Coastal Conservancy and transferred to the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District. It is now operated as a public trust, nonprofit membership organization.

The Gardens is supported through membership fees, admissions, fundraisers and sales in the Gardens' Shop and Nursery. Over 50,000 people visit the Gardens annually.

BLOOM SEASONS

February, March, April
Early rhododendrons, camellias, daffodils, magnolias, purple-leaf plums, and Pacific Coast iris (spring whale migration occurs during this time)

May, June, July
Rhododendrons, heritage roses, perennials, foxglove, cactus, succulents, lilies, heathers, coastal and forest wildflowers

August, September, October
Perennials, dahlias, heritage roses, heathers, fuchsias, and hydrangeas

November, December, January
Japanese maples, late perennials, winter heathers, camellias, and wild mushrooms (winter whale migration)

4 See what's blooming in spring, summer, fall, and winter.

MAP

To give you a better feel for the layout of the Botanical Gardens, here's the visitor's map we distribute to our guests.

GARDEN TOUR

Located on 47 acres that lie between California's scenic Highway One and the Pacific Ocean, this magnificent site includes canyons, wetlands, coastal bluffs, and a closed-cone pine forest. Set among this striking background is a varied array of plant collections. Our moderate climate allows us to grow a wide range of tender species which cannot survive the more extreme heat or cold that occurs in other locations.

1 Perennial Garden		11 Woodland Garden
2 Heritage Rose Garden		12 North Forest
3 Mae E. Lauer Display House		13 Fort Bragg Rhododendrons
4 Heath & Heather Garden		14 Big Leaf Rhododendrons
5 Camellia Garden		15 Bishop Pine Forest
6 Pacific Iris		16 Fern Canyon and Digger Creek
7 Succulent Garden		17 Dahlia Garden
8 Mediterranean Garden		18 Vegetable Garden & Orchard
9 Tender Species Rhododendrons		19 Shore Pines
10 Meadow Lawn		20 Coastal Prairie and Bluff

MUSHROOM GUIDE

In addition to the Gardens' many plant collections, over 80 wild mushroom varieties can be found here during the winter rainy season. To learn more, take a look at our Mushroom Guide.

GARDENS STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens' mission is conserve plants suited to the climate of the Mendocino Coast and display them for the enjoyment and education of our guests. Here's the current Gardens Staff and Board of Directors.

FOUR SEASONS PHOTO CONTEST

See the Gardens from the eyes of our guests, take a look at the beautiful Spring and Summer 2007 Four Seasons Photo Contest winners, and also the previous 2005-06 and 2003-04 contest winners.

If you would like to enter a photo in the current contest, you can download the contest rules (70 K pdf) and an entry form (73 K pdf).

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