The huge, showy begonia blossoms that can be seen in our Display House during the summer and autumn at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens vary wildly in color, shape, and size.

The display collection of local Mendocino Coast native plant species demonstrates a variety of attractive and interesting plants that can be used in garden design. Plants from five of our local plant communities are represented. These native plants can be found throughout the Gardens as well as in our Native Plant Garden located just past the "deer gates" on the North Trail.

In 1985, a fledgling camellia collection was established at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, with more plants added in 1989 and 2003. The collection, located just west of the Perennial Garden at the junction of the North and South Trails, includes numerous species, approximately 11 cultivars (some by renowned local grower, Dan Charvet), and interspecific hybrids (hybrids between two species).

The Carnivorous Plant Display lurks deep in the heart of the Woodland Garden at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. These exotic plants exist in wet, nutrition poor environments, and therefore have evolved to supplement their diets by trapping and eating insects.

Just past The Cliff House and along the edges of the coastal bluff (please stay back from the edge) are plants adapted to poor, rocky soils and salt-laden winds. They are tough, often low-growing plants that have adapted to the windswept, sometimes fog-bound climate.

A closed-cone pine forest forms the background for our beautiful Gardens and provides an invaluable windbreak, without which the Gardens could not exist.

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens' Conifer Collection contains nearly 200 different varieties, including dwarf, intermediate, and large specimens. Our collection also includes California natives and rare exotics from New Zealand, Tasmania, Brazil, Morocco, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Taiwan, South Africa, and other locations. These serve as backdrop and windbreak for our cultivated gardens, in addition to structure and winter interest in our Perennial Garden when herbaceous plants are dormant.

The Dahlia Garden is one of the most favored locations for photographers at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. The riotous blooms of mid- to late-summer provide an exquisite palette for artists, and a glorious backdrop for weddings.

The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens maintains a collection of both species and hybrid fuchsias. Over 50 fuchsias have been planted in the Woodland Garden. There is also a lovely display of trailing fuchsias in the Mae E. Lauer Display House.

Heaths and heathers are beautiful, undemanding plants that require full sun, and cool soil with perfect drainage. Our mild maritime climate and sandy, acidic soils create an ideal environment for them.

Almost all the roses in this special collection were discovered along roadsides and on old homesteads and ranches here in Mendocino County. These old roses came to the region in the 19th century, when the West was being settled.

In summer and early fall, the Mae E. Lauer Display House is filled to the rafters with begonias and fuchsias.

The Garden has a growing collection of Magnolias, some of which are endangered in the wild. The genus contains around 210 flowering species worldwide, with numerous hybrids grown for ornamental use, though the Gardens contain a small selection.

California is characterized by a Mediterranean climate; cool, moist winters and dry summers. Plants that are native to these areas have adaptations that enable them to survive long summer droughts, often months without rain.

In addition to the Gardens' many plant collections, each fall we enjoy an interesting natural phenomena: a wide variety of wild mushrooms appear throughout our grounds.

Spring brings a profusion of bulbs and stunning rhododendrons bursting into life. Pacific Iris, daffodils, and more line the walkways to the ocean and back.

Visitors find inspiration for their home gardens in the plant combinations in our Perennial Garden. Plants are displayed in dramatic sweeps, with striking color combinations and variations in form and texture, in addition to exciting landscaping features such as boulders, sculptures, and pond.

The MCBG Rhododendron Collection includes over 125 species of rhododendrons and more than 190 cultivars, many of them developed by the region's prolific, enthusiastic, and generous rhododendron growers. Over 1,000 Rhododendrons can be seen blooming throughout the Gardens from early spring until June.

Noticed something new blooming in the city of Fort Bragg lately? The Alleyway Art Project's first creation is the result of a partnership between Flockworks, artist Jacob Hewko (also know as Ferric Decay), and the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. The imagery for this mural started with the artist taking an inspirational trip to the Botanical Gardens and snapping a photo of the showstopping Rhododendron 'Pink Delight'.

An unusually large award-winning epiphytic fern has found a new home at the western edge of the Perennial Garden! The fern was gifted to Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens by John and Monique Ziesenhenne.

The Succulent Collection began in the early 1980's with a donation of materials and plants from Marlene Rainman. It was later expanded with donations from Betty Paddock, Rella of Simply Succulent, and various botanical gardens in California. Very well draining soil for this collection was brought in to ensure success in our wet winter environment. The majority of the plants are from highland Mexico and South Africa, regions that have climates that are more like our own in terms of rainfall and temperatures. While there are over 150 different species and cultivars planted in the Succulent Garden, our collection represents only a tiny portion of the vast and wonderful world of succulents.

This quiet garden hosts a wide range of interesting shade and moisture loving plants.

There are more than 160 species of birds that can be seen at the Gardens throughout the year. The Gardens offers a range of habitats for breeding, nesting, and feeding.

More photos & videos from past weddings at the Gardens: Maggie + Joe's  Ocean Bluff Ceremony ~  Tammie Gilchrist Photography Lisa + Steph's  Ocean...

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens welcomes well-behaved canines to visit with their companions.

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens co-sponsors the Annual John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show with the Noyo Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society.

Art in the Gardens is an annual summer fundraiser in support of the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. The event is held each year on the first weekend in August. The very...

The Friends of the Gardens (FOG) Birdhouse Auction. This annual silent auction is comprised of uniquely beautiful, quirky, and just plain fun birdhouses to decorate your garden or home.

The  Friends of the Gardens (FOG)   annual Birdhouse Auction will run June 1 through August 13! Now in it's 15th year, this annual silent auction is comprised of...

Join us   at the Gardens each holiday season, where beautiful blooms and crashing waves combine with good cheer and dazzling lights for an unforgettable experience. Festival of Lights is...

Guests of the annual Festival of Lights Gala are treated to an exclusive preview of the Gardens aglow. The cozy tent is transformed into a dazzling gathering complete with music, drink, and sumptuous bites.

Friends of the Gardens (FOG) , is a separate nonprofit support organization for Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. FOG supports the Gardens' development and, as such, is the largest contributor...

See the Gardens from the eyes of our guests! Take a look at photos sent into the Gardens from our visitors.