In 2018, we began propagating the three main milkweed species native to Mendocino County: Showy Milkweed (Asclipias speciosa), Wooly Pod (A. eriocarpa), and Narrow Leaved (A. fasicularius). They were planted out in our vineyard fencerows to support Monarch butterflies. Our interest grew and in 2020 we began creating a demonstration garden for Monarch butterflies and pollinators at the new winery site on West Road. The goal of the garden is to have plantings with continual bloom throughout the season to provide forage for these beneficial insects. The pollinator garden also provides a seasonally changing backdrop to the winery. Our plant palette includes low-water-use plants that are native to Mendocino County with other showier bloomers from other areas of California. There are also several varieties of native bunch grasses indigenous to our county. The grasses help stabilize the soil on the steep banks of the berm and provide overwintering habitat for bumble bee queens and other insects. Plantings showcase chaparral plants on the hot sunny southern slope and woodland plants on the northern slope. A large meadow of annual wildflowers, grasses, and herbaceous perennials is centered on the berm.

Our hope is to educate and inspire people to use native plants in their home gardens. These plants require less water and other inputs while supporting local populations of our bird and insect garden allies.