Near the town of Sonoma in Sonoma County California is a beautiful horticultural paradise and event venue that has been designed by Stefani Bittner of Homestead Design Collective for Sunset Magazine. The test gardens show beautiful, edible, low water gardens as well as bee plants, Mediterranean plants and flower garden plants. The garden is divided into rooms each with a different theme:

FLOWER ROOM

A garden where it is easy to harvest a bouquet of home grown flowers.

GATHERING SPACE

An outdoor living room where there is shade from the sun, lush planting with year around appeal and minimal maintenance. A tree sculpture adds interest.

BACKYARD ORCHARD

The fruit trees are chosen to bloom and ripen successively. In summer the trees are severely pruned to control tree size and keep the harvest within arm’s reach. The understory grows lush with pollinator attracting flowers.

FARM GARDEN

Peak season fruits and vegetables are grown here. Successive planting for a study harvest is practiced.

ROSE GARDEN

One of the 12 AGRS (American Garden Rose Selection) Test Gardens in the US. The roses are evaluated for disease resistance, fragrance, bloom form, rebloom habit, vigor, tolerance to cold and heat and plant habit.

IN THE AIR

Climbing plants such as roses, Clematis and Wisteria are displayed here.

GARDEN OF CONTRAST

THE WATER GARDEN

The peaceful reflection in the water is enabled by a black dye which slows the growth of the algae and accentuates the water plants.

THE TUNNEL

HORIZONTAL LINES

BIRCH FOREST

THE POLLINATOR GARDEN

This garden contains a range of plants that will bloom in succession from early spring to late fall. The plants offer food resources of pollen and nectar for native bees, honeybees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects.

THE PERENNIAL GARDEN

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