Article: Quarryhill Gardens in Sonoma Cty now open

Local paper just ran an article on this garden, which I've never heard of before. Says it is the most complete collection anywhere of East Asia plants, and of course the Valley of the Moon is a beautiful area, full of wineries.

Excerpt:
"The garden, which was founded on the site of an old rock quarry in 1987 and used to be open by appointment only, recently began welcoming visitors for self-guided tours. These tours, available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, cost $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors.

Docent-led tours also are available, but require reservations; groups of six or larger can make reservations any time, and smaller groups can participate in regular outings at 10 a.m. on the third Saturday of every month ($15 for adults, $5 for kids and seniors).

Whatever way visitors choose to explore the garden, they'll find nearly 3 miles of dirt trails wandering through hundreds of East Asian temperate plants, many of which aren't found anywhere else in the contiguous United States. The plants - and the entire garden - are a tribute to Jane Davenport Jansen, who purchased the property in 1968."

Full article at:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/01/PKJ510R530.DTL&type=printable

This is a wonderful garden to visit but it is one that really deserves to be viewed with a docent.
I have visited it 3 times , each time with a group , and I'm glad that I did.
As I can recall there were hardly any signage/ plant names / labels.
Many of the plants were quite mature , rare and unknown to me or any of the other horticulturists that I was traveling with.
I definitely benefitted from an accompanying Quarry Hill horticulturist.
Last time I visited was last summer and it was hot as hades, - maybe hotter.

I almost always choose to view a garden on my own slow rambling style , but not this one. Too spread out , steep and very hot.