Woodland Gardens


Wade Sturgeon in his gardens - circa 1950.

Wade Sturgeon created a beautiful Woodland Garden area at Sturgeon's Mill consisting of a wide variety of plants, including some native species as well as water plants. Tending to the gardens was a relaxing hobby for Wade, and his family and friends enjoyed the miriad of colors and aromas during springtime and throughout the year. A very rare glimpse of Wade Sturgeon in his Woodland Gardens can be viewed in the Sturgeon's Mill Video section of our website.

Plants and trees mentioned in Wade Sturgeon's notes in 1957:

  • Pacific Dogwood (40' high with limb spread of 20')
  • Magnolias, Eastern Tulip trees, Pink eucalyptus, golden chain, Portuguese laurel, Box Elder, Autralian bride tree.
  • Azaleas, pink acacia, rhododendron, snowball, mock orange, dentzia, bridal wreath, fawn lilies, pyrola, coral plant, pipsissewa, fuchia, Camillias
  • Lily pools with water lilies. 3 original pools, but one planted as a memorial to Wade with donations given after his death.
  • Japanese iris, alstroemeria, Canterberry bells, foxglove lilies.
  • Native plants: pink redwood oxalis, mimulus, cilla
  • Roses: Rose Elf, American Beauty, Circus, Black Prince, Lady Hellington, Queen Elizabeth, The Dr.
  • Camellias: Elena Nobile, Mikenjaku, Dorothy McDade, Wilson White, Debutant, Shin Akeboro, Princess Baciocchi, Vedrani, High Hat, Jutmita.
  • Rhododendrons: Mrs. Furivirul, May Day, Purple Splender, Earl of Athlone, Sappho, Dr. Endtz, Lord Roberts, Lavenderonne, Himalayan.

Woodland Gardens Restoration Project

For decades, Wade Sturgeon's "Woodland Gardens" had slowly been overtaken by weeds, vines and various forces of nature. Many winter seasons littered the Woodland Gardens area with leaves and fallen limbs, rendering the once gorgeous, private oasis almost invisible. Fortunately, a small group of volunteers have endeavored to restore the Woodland Gardens to it's former state of splendor and beauty, which had been so diligently nurtured to life by Wade Sturgeon cira 1940-1950's.

Would you like to volunteer or donate a plant?

We are currenlty in need of additional volunteers to assist with the restoration and resurrection of the Woodland Gardens. Now that the weather appears to be providing us with a break from the long rainy season, we can proceed with this large undertaking. Gardening chores may include: planting, pruning, pulling ivy, and general upkeep. We will keep the same schedule as last year... Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 am to ? If you would like to volunteer time working in the gardens or if you happen to have an abundance of plants as indicated on the list above and would like to donate one or two, then please Contact Us for further details.

Anna Rose Whitney Rhododendron
An example of a Rhododendren 'Anna Rose Whitney'

Happy Days Azalea
An example of an Azalea 'Happy Days'

A double-red Camellia
An example a Camellia j. 'Julia Drayton'

Pacific Dogwood
A Pacific Dogwood, cornus Eddie's 'White Wonder'

Photos above were generously donated by Urban Tree Farm Nursery in Fulton, CA.

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Please Donate

For as little as $25.00 you will be a "Friend of the Mill". You also will receive the printed version of our Newsletter to keep you up to date with up coming events and recent upgrades to the mill.

Thank you!
For a successful 2012 season.

A hearty thank you to all who visited the Mill during one of our steam-ups this past year!! We, the members of the "crew", look forward to these “productive” weekends when we see you, who enjoy steam-powered machinery in operation, come and enjoy the fruits of our labor of the year. We each have our reasons for enjoying this Restoration Project and they all come together when we get together on these great weekends.

The only thing we ask of you is to support this Restoration Project when and however you can and to pass on to your friends the information about this Mill and your enjoyment in observing its operation.

We are located at:

Sturgeon's Mill
2150 Green Hill Rd.
Sebastopol, CA 95472

Please view map for directions to Sturgeon's Mill.

Our Mailing List

Sign-up for the online version of the Sturgeon's Mill Mailing List - it's FREE! You will receive Public Demonstration times & dates, as well as other important details regarding events taking place at Sturgeon's Mill. The sign-up form is located near the bottom of our Sturgeon's Mill home page.