Showcase Features: Within its confines, the Outdoor Classroom showcases the native plant communities of the Santa Clara Valley and surrounding foothills. Paths wind through giant 35 year old redwoods, an oak woodland, and chaparral. On workdays after a morning of pulling weeds, children can catch crayfish in the ponds in the riparian zone. These two ponds, connecting stream, and riparian habitat represent Santa Clara Valley's Guadalupe River watershed.

Other Garden Attractions: Many classes at Hacienda have a garden where they can grow the plants of their choice. Some garden beds are located in the Outdoor Classroom. Others are situated near the classrooms. The Outdoor Classroom include: a butterfly caterpillar food bed with milkweed and anise, a scent garden with plants with various interesting herbs, an adult butterfly bed with plants that attract butterflies, and the first grade erosion experiment. Also look for: passion flower vine, where the gulf fritillary butterfly lays its eggs, native plantain, pomegranate and lime trees, compost and worm bins.

Gardening for Wildlife: This is a wildlife habitat garden. The ponds contain crayfish and attract ducks who visit each year. The redwoods attract Cooper's Hawks.

Years of CA Native Gardening at this Location: 39

Garden Size: One acre

Designer:
Installer:

Click here to download the plant list in PDF format (from year 2006).