Native Here Nursery

This native plant «nursery» is actually located in Berekey’s Tilden Park, across the golf course entrance. They’re only open a few days a week and it is staffed by enthusiastic plant lovers. There is a wide variety of plants, organized by region, but many are really tiny and will require tremendous TLC to get flourishing in your environment. That said, the prices are average to low. It’s like going to an antique or thrift shop… you gotta hunt around for treasures. There are usually several locations with the same type of plant, so if the ones you found look a little scraggly, there might be nicer specimens elsewhere. Keep searching!
This place is NOT like a commercial nursery where every plant is pristine. The Bay Area has a bunch of micro-​climates and it’s unrealistic to expect every plant to thrive in the Berkeley Hills area. I was sad that they didn’t have much for the hot/​dry climates of the inland Bay Area. I appreciate the signs showing the plants during different seasons. Oh, and did I mention how helpful and friendly the folks are working here? Awesomeness. :)

It’s that time again! The Bringing Back The Natives Tour sponsored by the East Bay Native Plant Society will run all day Sunday May 4^th. The last day to register is April 27^th in order to get your booklet listing all the magnificent gardens from Pinole to Fremont on the tour’s10th anniversary
We all know the state of the State’s water this year (longer?). The tour will help you green up without wasting our resources. These are the people we want to talk to about how to mend our ways while having a gorgeous day in the outdoors of eco-​happy backyards (front and sides too!).
So take in one garden or as many as you can get to. You will feel so knowledgable and satisfied at the end of this day, I promise.
Contact
by April 27 for your guide.
They make a $ 15 donation go a long way but if you can’t afford that you are still welcome (please give if you can). Payment is by PayPal.

This is the place for natives that will thrive where you live, if you live in Contra Costa or Alameda counties. These are not those flashy pampered hothouse darlings, but solid, vigorous plants that are local varieties of staples such as oak trees, grasses, manzanitas, and some fun surprises, too! I have a difficult hillside that resisted nearly everything I planted, till I bought a native needlegrass from my exact area, and now it is naturalizing into a bunchgrass prairie with no effort where others formerly gave up the ghost. With plants it really is all about location, location, location, and these dedicated volunteers have it covered. You get what you pay for! No connection, just love their plants and helpful advice.

I found this nursery by accident and enjoyed my brief visit. Bought one plant and it is still growing — yes this is exciting for me.

I was worried about overusing water in my garden and wanted to find some draught resistant native plants. This volunteer run nursery was so great. The plants are propagated and cared for by volunteers, then organized by East Bay region, so you can find your neighborhood in their signs, and there’s plants that fit your needs. It’s not cheap, though not super pricey. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. We got a sticky monkey plant and some grasses.