NATIVE HERE NURSERY is part of a larger organization, California Native Plant Society. The Nursery is located at a well-known intersection in Tilden Park in the Berkeley Hills. NATIVE HERE NURSERY is a few paces away from a large roadsign that points out the locations of the golf course (to east), Little Train (to south), and Lake Anza (to north). Upon visiting the Nursery, one becomes aware of hundreds and hundreds of potted plants, each plant situated inside a chickenwire cage, for protection from birds, animals, and curious fingers. Most of the plants are for sale. All of the plants tend to have a humble appearance. In other words, if you are interested in a splashy heliconia, or a peperomia having a wild design like a painting by Ed Paschke, then you need to go to a different type of nursery. During my visit, I had little chats with five of the nursery workers, two young ladies, and three older folks. The workers are friendly and, although occupied and busy with their plants, are willing to engage in a little chit-chat. To a young woman, I mentioned that the only native plants that I knew about were Fuller's teasel and fiddle dock. The worker's eyes lit up, and she knew these plants. (I was not really seeking any information, except for confirmation that I'd somehow got the names right.) I had a longer conversation with two of the older workers, and to her I mentioned the hardiness of the desert holly and of the creosote in Death Valley, and of the juniper trees in Joshua Tree Nat'l. Park. To this, the woman added that when she was in Arizona, she became familiar with tamarisk living in the deserts. I replied, "Well, I know about tamarack, and so I guess that I can also remember tamarisk." Then I asked her how juniper trees could thrive so well in Joshua Tree National Park, despite weeks and weeks of temperatures of about 115 degrees. The woman replied, "Because Joshua Tree is in the high desert, where one finds more moisture than in Death Valley, and where the nights are cooler." "Thank you!" I replied, "so that explains it!" Please see my attached photos of juniper trees in Joshua Tree National Park and of desert holly in Death Valley. It is because of my visits (and devotion) to southern California deserts, that I was able to have a few minutes of quality time with the Native Here Nursery employee. On my way out, I visited the modest gift shop at Native Here Nursery, and bought a cloth patch and a sticker. These are circular, and they read, "California Native Plant Society" with an image of a yellow flower in the center. read more