News from the Garden

September 2024

We closed on our purchase of Western Hills Garden on 9/27/21, an auspicious day, and we have enjoyed much goodness (and challenge) since. Our newsletter archives are up on our website if you’re interested. You’ll see, we take stewarding this legacy garden seriously…
Yesterday, 9/23, was the annual Sonoma County Tourism meeting. We went for the first time last year, learned a lot, and met some great people. The meeting presents the opportunity to say hello to the SCT team, connect with fellow local business leaders, and get an update on the state of tourism in the area. The stats about visitation were enlightening, and the keynote speaker addressed the future of travel from a Millennial and Gen Z perspective. His talk focused on trends and new technologies such as AI and auto-generated bespoke soundtracks that are supposedly the future of destination marketing.
We appreciate efficiencies and staying on top of new industry tools. It was a thought-provoking presentation for sure. But, coming back to the garden afterwards, we were quickly reminded about the importance of authenticity in a rapidly changing world. The first sounds of the frogs clearing their throat, the ponds circulating, and the fall colors popping during a late September golden hour.
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August 2024

You know it when you feel it. That sense of awe and ease. A gasp of delight and a full breath that moves oxygen deep into your lungs. A feeling of contentment and connection to the past, present, and future. A knowingness that this is where you should be, for a moment, or for a lifetime. The idea that you are somewhere that brings you peace, comfort, and calm. We hear from visitors time and time again that this is their experience (though maybe not their exact words) when they come wander, wonder, and discover at Western Hills Garden.
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July 2024

It’s already the second week of July, but it still feels like June to us. The last six weeks have been a blur of celebrations and chaos. Our daughters both graduated (one from high school, one from college), and we attended four ceremonies, helped host two parties, and made three trips to LA.
We also gave up our rental in Berkeley and ended the month moving all our possessions to our home in Western Hills Garden. The dust is still settling. Special thanks to the friends and family who pitched in to get everyone through and everything done. We are thrilled to ground ourselves in the garden.
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May 2024

The plants and trees at Western Hills Garden are stop-in-your-tracks beautiful always, but sometimes, something in particular leaps out and takes your breath away. Maybe it’s a shade of green, a new bloom, or how a branch looks against the leaves. The power of observation yields great benefits here.

It’s been a particularly generative May. We brought on our first full-time leadership hire, Justin Berhtiaume. Scroll down to read some of his words about why the Horticultural Manager role appealed to him. We had a very competitive pool of applicants and are pleased to share that our esteemed hiring committee (Jim Salyards, RG Turner, Jr., and Betsy Flack) came to consensus. Justin is jumping in feet first, and we can’t wait for you to meet him. We’re hoping to plan some times for you to do just that as he gets settled. Stay tuned.

April 2024

Some thoughts from WHG co-owner Michael Mechanic on the subject of widening our attention toward broader vistas.
*****
We haven’t had a slow news week in what feels like forever.
Violence in the Middle East, mass arrests on campuses, divisive Supreme Court cases, a former president on trial—all this conflict piled atop our everyday stresses makes it hard to look ahead without a sense of foreboding. And this is why it is so important to withhold some of your precious attention for more positive vistas.
“I figured being in beautiful environments would be good for our mood and mental health. But I wasn’t expecting the evidence that it also improves our attention and cognition.”
Those were the words of fellow journalist Florence Williams when I interviewed her about her 2017 book, The Nature Fix. Williams was also “blown away” she said, when she read studies showing that “when we experience even little shots of awe, like a sunset or an unexpected butterfly, it can make us actually more compassionate and generous. I have this new plan that we need to line the halls of Congress with potted ficuses and unleash some butterflies!”

March 2024

Spring presents a literal opportunity for us to watch life begin again, especially in the garden which looks spectacular right now. The plants are shouting their delight. Potential is everywhere.

Even the “weeds” are putting on a show with beds full of purple and white wood hyacinth, light blue forget me-nots, and white onion grass flowers. Soon we’ll move into the work of summer clearing, but we’re savoring the spring beauty, the literal and figurative examples of rebirth.
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February 2024

We’ve been thinking a lot lately about the word sanctuary. Specifically how Western Hills Garden can provide a refuge for our visitors to explore themselves, their connection to nature, and their capacity to make a difference in big and small ways.
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December 2023

It started with atmospheric rivers. One after another. Paths eroded and as 77 inches of rain fell so did three giant specimen trees. It continued with book releases, BAGNet (Bay Area Garden Network) membership meetings, and bridge repairs. The launch of programs – Sashiko, Color Theory, Collage, Cyanotype…. And the purchase of the adjacent three-acre property, which opens up many exciting opportunities.
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January 2024

January is almost over, and in California spring comes early. The rolling Sonoma County hills are emerald green, the trees are starting to bud, and there are signs of new life everywhere. But while the days are starting to get longer, we are still savoring what’s left of winter.
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November 2023

When we heard that President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping found a common meeting ground at the peaceful Filoli estate and gardens, we understood. We know that gardens heal, teach, inspire, and please, and it was satisfying to see that two of the most prominent world leaders (and their teams) felt that as well.
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October 2023

The season of darkness is upon us. While world events already feel very dark, this time of year is actually about settling in and finding time for rest, comfort, and introspection. It’s also about sharing and giving. It’s about listening and observing. It’s about finding peace. All these things can be found in the garden.
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September 2023

Hooray! This month, we celebrate two years of hard work and joy as stewards of Western Hills Garden. We thought we’d take the opportunity to share some personal reflections on this accomplishment. But first, thank you for your words of encouragement, your donations and memberships, and most importantly, your visits to the garden. Your support keeps us going!
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July/August 2023

Phew. The earth continues to shout its discontent. While we’re fortunate not to be suffering under the extreme temperatures that have hit other parts of the country, there is no doubt that it has been H O T at Western Hills Garden.
Thank goodness for our extraordinary microclimates. You can move from one spot to another and experience a 15-degree temperature shift. Instant natural cooling from tree shade and understory is essential when you need a break from tending all the things.
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June 2023

We often talk about how Western Hills Garden offers a sensory explosion of sights, scents, and sounds. But we mostly share stories of what the garden looks like.
This month, as we hurl headlong into summer, we stop to appreciate the sense of sound — and especially what we hear from the birds that wake us up each morning and then share their appreciation of the day at dusk.
Scroll down to read about why WHG co-owner Laura Counts loves listening to birds at the garden, and learn more about birding activities happening onsite and around the country.
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May 2023

May has delivered breathtaking beauty, many new friends, and connections with a host of folks with long histories at the garden. Our spring class series was a hit, and we are excited to announce a couple of new programs this summer—scroll down for details.
Best of all, the Zelkova, which we were worried about because it didn’t lose all its leaves this fall and was very delayed in leafing out, is now sharing its full glory.
It’s exhilarating to experience our second spring, which is so very different than our first given all the winter rain. We’ve been weeding and mulching like crazy and spending as much time outdoors as possible — along with a bumper crop of mosquitos and ticks. The longer days keep our hands busy and our hearts full.
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April 2023

The sunshine in the Garden feels like a salve. A sigh of relief. Nature as evidence of hope and rebirth.
What’s left of the magnolias smell exquisite. Most of the rhododendron are nearly ready. And the puya on Smokebush Hill has decided to share its bee-loving bounty.
The days’ longer light stretches across the pond which a male and female mallard have been visiting lately. We’re hoping for ducklings! And we spent time sitting on the deck last weekend trying to count the number of bird songs we heard.
Even though the weeds are jumping to attention … we’re excited for you to come visit and discover spring.
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February 2023

The quiet, winter bones of the garden are preparing to flex their spring muscles. Rain and cold have made for a groggy (and boggy) start to the new year, but the color variation and textures, especially when wet, bring pops of energy to dreary days. We’re very much looking forward to longer, sunnier days but equally appreciative of the rains we so desparately need.
Despite the weather, we’ve had a few new volunteers join our Tuesday morning crew and two Sonoma State interns began working on Fridays. The additional help and fresh energy is refreshing.
One of the new volunteers recently shared an article about the health and wellness benefits of gardens. The researchers focused on how community gardening led to improved dietary choices, more connectedness, and reduced risk for chronic diseases. While we don’t produce much food here at Western Hills, we feel the truth of these words every day when we’re tending to the paths, plants, and place we call home.
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January 2023

So far 2023 has been a bit of a blur in the garden. The new year brought refreshing rains that turned into an atmospheric deluge stretching the capacity of the ponds and runnels with many inches of water over many days. The soil became saturated and three of our legacy trees (that to be honest weren’t looking all that great) toppled over.
The Serbian Spruce is now in the pond and much of the blooming purple acacia and the gorgeous 100 foot weeping Golden Cypress are now mulch or ornamental garden artifacts. As you may have seen, we’ve had to close the garden to visitors through mid-February to clear debris and repair paths. But nature is hearty and so are we. We know change is constant and are excited for all that’s ahead this year.
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December 2022

When we heard that our friends Kent and Hadley were planning to purchase the Western Hills Garden, my wife Laura and I looked at one another like, “They are definitely crazy!”

But then we came and experienced the garden for ourselves.
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November 2022

As we enter the season of gratitude and giving we want to take a moment to say thank you. We love Western Sonoma County. The rolling hills, the ocean, the farmers and the farm stands, the history, the people.

Thank you for your incredible support, the wonder and joy you find in the garden, the introductions you’ve made, and the offers of help We love sharing this place with you and hearing your stories. Thanks for making our first year so great.
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October 2022

September 27 marked our one year anniversary as owners of Western Hills Garden. We have learned so much and remain humbled by the legacy of this special property while we continue to build our vision for the future.
We are excited to announce we’ve secured a fiscal sponsor which provides us with nonprofit status while we apply for our own. This will enable us to do more fundraising in the months to come. Stay tuned for more details and please reach out if you’d like to discuss a grant or donation!
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August 2022

So many flowers. Roses. Puya. Hydrangeas. Lilies. Agapanthus. Salvia. Alstroemeria. Grevillea. So many weeds. Summer is here.

We hope you’ve had a nice summer. We’ve been busy since we last wrote. Our soft open has gone well. Thanks to those that have helped us test our systems by joining us for a day visit, tour, or class!
We’re getting into the groove of open days and working hard on getting our fiscal sponsorship and nonprofit status. Our pilot membership program is live too!
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April 2022

The Zelkova has leafed out. The magnolias have come and gone. And the last of the camellias are showing off their color as the Rhodedendron come into their own. The frogs are back and the birds are singing. Life is waking up.
If you’re receiving this newsletter you either opted into emails on our website or were on a list shared with us by previous owners Chris and Tim Szybalski. We hope you will appreciate occasional News from the Garden.
We’ve been working hard the past six months, watching, learning, pruning, and weeding. We’re ready to share (slowly) with all of you.
It’s a work in progress, for a lifetime.
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January 2022

We can’t wait to meet you.
If you’re receiving this newsletter you either opted into emails on our website or were on a list shared with us by previous owners Chris and Tim Szybalski. We hope you will appreciate occasional News from the Garden.
We’re Kent and Hadley. We purchased the property at the end of September and have spent the past few months learning about the history, operations, and maintenance of this place.
It’s magical.
Every day we fall a little more in love and are so excited to share the Garden with all of you again in the coming months.
Stay tuned for details very soon….
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