five-one-oh

Living local, urban design, sustainability, landscape architecture, and places in the East Bay. Design that works where it is.

Starry False Solomon’s Seal

One of the best things about a woodland garden is the way shadows, green tones, and soft duff evoke the presence of enchanted creatures just beyond our vision. No plant … Continue reading

April 4, 2021 · Leave a comment

A Truly Local Cocktail

San Francisco was originally named for this plant, Yerba Buena. It means “good herb” in Spanish. The City’s name was changed to San Francisco in 1846. The botanical name for … Continue reading

October 14, 2014 · 1 Comment

Beach Strawberry

This California native plant, Fragaria chiloiensis, grows quickly in our yard in Oakland. Sometimes it grows too well, spreading into areas intended for less rambunctious native plants. Still, it’s a great groundcover in … Continue reading

October 7, 2014 · Leave a comment