North Star Mine and North Star House: California Gold Mining History Preserved
The story of North Star House in Grass Valley, California begins with the North Star Mine, one of the most sig…
The Hedgerow
The Hedgerow
Designed by Molly Green of New Wave Green, the Hedgerow brings native, drought-resistant, pollinator-friendly planting to the estate grounds.
The Hedgerow was designed by Molly Green of New Wave Green with a simple goal: bring more beauty to the grounds while supporting the pollinators and wildlife that depend on them.
The planting favors native, drought-resistant species suited to the Sierra foothills climate — a landscape that needs less water and upkeep while still giving the estate a living, blooming border. Many of the natives came from grants and donations through the Xerces Society and the Redbud Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.
It's one of the newer additions to the grounds, and we're still adding to it. Walk through what's currently planted below, or read more about the project on our Journal.
Plant List
Walk Through the Hedgerow
English Holly
Ilex aquifolium
It began here. Two large hollies on the bank are purportedly a result of A.D. Foote's horticultural breeding, and they remain today — though no one in recent history has seen them berry. Hollies provide year-round evergreen structure, are slow growing, and need skilled pruning. We plan to plant two more and hope to get berries.
Black Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
A large, multi-stemmed shrub.
Manzanita 'Sentinel'
Arctostaphylos densiflora
A medium manzanita that flowers heavily. 'Sentinel' has red bark and seems to be one of the faster-growing manzanitas, reaching full size in a couple of years. Ours are still tiny — part of a Xerces Society grant.
Toyon (Christmas Berry)
Heteromeles arbutifolia
An evergreen shrub in the rose family. In summer it produces bunches of fragrant white flowers; in winter, vibrant clusters of scarlet berries. The flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators.
Wild Mock Orange
Philadelphus lewisii
Fragrant spring blossoms reminiscent of the Yuba River habitat. This fills in the hedgerow — in spring, the fragrance is glorious. Deer tend to browse this plant.
Western Redbud
Cercis occidentalis
A small deciduous tree or shrub found in the foothills and mountains of California. Interesting in every season, with lovely magenta spring flowers, shiny heart-shaped leaves in summer, and seed pods in winter.
Red Osier Dogwood
Cornus sericea
Planted for its fall color and red bark, it will become a thicket for bird refuge.
Ceanothus 'Concha'
Ceanothus 'Concha'
A highly regarded, fast-growing evergreen shrub reaching 6 feet in height and width, with dense, dark green foliage. In spring it produces profuse, fragrant, deep blue flower clusters from reddish buds. These plants came from a Xerces Society grant.
From the Journal