Visit The Gardens at Heather Farm, a local gem nestled on a picturesque hillside just over two miles from downtown Walnut Creek. The Gardens at Heather Farm is an independent nonprofit operating a free public garden and nature education center with six acres of natural landscape to explore.
With dozens of paved and gravel pathways, a rose-covered gazebo, waterfall area, conservation garden, children’s garden and a variety of seasonal displays, your visit to The Gardens will be both inspiring and educational. Drop by for an afternoon stroll and take in the lovely fragrances and gorgeous views. Bring a blanket and spread out with the family for lunch on our grassy Meadow Lawn.
Admission: Free
Garden Hours: Open 7 days a week; sunrise to sunset.
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5pm. Please call 925-237-1231.
Location: 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 – View Map
Garden Use & Photography: A permit and payment of photography fee is required for all professional or organized photography in our gardens. Excludes photography performed during a group’s rental period. Fill out our form to request a photography session.
Community Garden: Learn more about our community garden area and how to request a plot.
Self-Guided Tours
A free self-guided tour is available for individual visitors.
Group Tours
Come learn about our beautiful gardens! Bring a group of 10 or more for an organized garden walk where you’ll gain insight into various plant species and what makes our garden tick. A trained and knowledgeable guide will lead your group through our various garden areas and can even tailor the tour to fit your group’s particular interests. Learn about drought-tolerant plants and water-saving tips at our Climate Change Garden, browse through thousands of rose bushes in our award-winning Cowden Rose Garden to find your favorite colorful blooms, and watch pollinators in action in our butterfly garden.
Virtual Tours
Before you visit, take a Virtual Tour and see the beauty of The Gardens for yourself.
Or watch this video to view some of our unique garden areas! Volunteer docent and garden expert, Christy, walks you through the best spots to learn more about our natural world.
Some of Our Garden Areas
Cowden Rose Garden
Featuring more than 1,000 roses and 150 cultivars, this majestic garden at the heart of our property boasts a stunning display of the many styles of growing roses and blooms from spring through fall. Dedicated to Robert Cowden.
Diablo Ascent Garden
Offering expansive views of Mt. Diablo, this hillside garden blends California natives and Mediterranean plantings that thrive in full sun and dry conditions. Donated by the Humphries family.
Sensory Garden
Fragrance, color and texture dominate this garden that rests next to our patio and pavilion bar at the rear of the building. Along with a splashing fountain, the raised beds allow visitors of all ages and abilities to participate in the stimulation of the senses that this garden provides.
Rockery
Growing on either side of the pathway just beyond the Gazebo at the base of the Riparian garden rests a diverse selection of low-growing plants that like dry, fast-draining soil such as pine, spruce, palms, salvias, and succulents.
Children’s Garden
Tucked behind the Cowden Rose Garden at the base of the Mordy Tree Grove lies the Children’s Garden, a joyful and educational haven perfect for little ones (and big ones) to explore nature in all its forms.
Waterfall Garden
With eleven waterfalls, this peaceful garden cascading through the middle of our property offers a variety of food sources for butterflies and beneficial insects. Located in the center of the property, this garden glows in both morning and afternoon light.
Shade Garden
In addition to tall ash trees, a beautiful arbor creates shade for ferns, dogwoods, native heucheras, camellias and other woodland favorites. Also known as the Ruth Howard Garden.
Meadow Garden
Rugosa roses, pine trees, and low shrubs encircle a large, open lawn area great for relaxing on a sunny day.
Blue Star Memorial Garden
Shades of red, white and blue dominate this garden, which serves as a tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces. The brilliant foliage of Acer buergeranum, Trident Maple, and the soft blue-purple tones of hydrangea are this garden’s focal points.
Climate Discovery Garden
Thanks to generous funding from Central Garden & Pet, and the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust, a dedicated committee of landscape professionals designed this garden space to provide our visitors with demonstrations and information about how to fight climate change in their home gardens.
Butterfly Garden
This sunny hillside garden is at its peak during the summer months when an explosion of annual and perennial flowers attract many butterflies who use flowers as a source of nectar.
