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Temperate and Mild Temperate
Climate Gardens

Japanese-style Gardens

Directly across from the Friend Gate to Strybing Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is the oldest and probably best known Japanese style garden in the U.S., the Japanese Tea Garden. Strybing contains two, much smaller, wet walking style Japanese gardens.

Takamine Garden
The Anelli Pond is a main feature of the Takamine Garden. Stone lanterns, Japanese maples, sedge and water iris complete the picture.

Moon-Viewing Garden and Waterfall Garden
Water flows in a small stream from the Waterfall Garden to the pond at the Moon-Viewing Garden, which was a 1993 gift from the local chapter of Ikebana International. Japanese Cherry Trees bloom in late January or early February.

Dwarf Conifer Garden

The James Noble Dwarf Conifer Garden is just west of the Takamine Garden and its pond is fed by a small stream that flows out of the Anelli Pond. Learn more about conifers in the section on the Primitive Plant Garden.

New Zealand

The New Zealand Christmas tree, near the wildfowl pond, is impressive year-round but particularly so when in bloom with red flowers. Some of the oldest tree specimens in Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are found in the New Zealand garden — which is one of the most comprehensive collections outside New Zealand. At least 80% of New Zealand's native plants and trees are endemic, meaning they occur natually only there.

Eastern Australia

Bottlebrush and other drought-resistant shrubs and trees such as acacia and grevillea can be viewed in the Eastern Australia Garden. I found this information on plant use by Aboriginal people of south-eastern Australia at The Museum Victory (PDF file).

Heidelberg Hill

A relatively easy climb up 60 or so steps to the top of Heidelberg hill and you have a view of Strybing’s main lawn, fountain and several gardens, as well as some of the surrounding San Francisco area including the tower on Twin Peaks. The area north of the hill has a number of rhododendrons and some unusual maples.