Open Roads
Sisterhood Gardens is the New Place to Visit in San Francisco
• • • • • • • August 28, 2024 • • • • • • •
Visitors come to San Francisco to enjoy many worthwhile places, including Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower and the Ferry Building.
Turn your attention to the splendor of Sisterhood Gardens!
SISTERHOOD GARDENS AND WHAT YOU CAN FIND THERE
Originally, it was just a border of California native plants around the garden's perimeter, providing habitat and nourishment for local fauna. Many plants in scarce supply provide nourishment to numerous bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. One such plant is California Buckwheat or Eriogonum fasciculatum. This plant grows in well-drained, dry, sandy soils but can tolerate occasional water in the garden. This plant is a big favorite of native honeybees.
Other California native plants of special interest include the Flannel Bush or Fremontidendron californium. Although this plant is toxic to dogs, it is wonderfully colorful in the garden, as shown here. This plant needs to be on a separate watering system because it is likely the most drought-tolerant plant in your garden. This plant is as attractive as the beloved Camellia, often believed to be the favorite plant in any residential garden.
SISTERHOOD GARDENS
The photo above is a typical view of the California native plants. Plants at Sisterhood Gardens include White Sage or Salvia alpiane, California Fuchsia or Zauscheneria californica and Hummingbird Sage or Salvia spathacea. Surprisingly, Hummingbird Sage can outcompete weeds in your garden.
TYPICAL BUILD DAY IN THE SUMMER
During this time of year, the dahlia section of the garden is in full bloom. Flowers are so plentiful that volunteers who tend the garden are allowed to take home a lovely bouquet. Today, the flowers of this plant cover nearly half the garden.
SISTERHOOD GARDENS HISTORY
Sisterhood Garden was the idea of Peter Vaernet, a tall Norwegian man who spoke Cantonese and Mandarin. Peter helped develop Brooks Park, located on a high hill in the southwest section of San Francisco. Sadly, Peter passed away in 2022.
Former Supervisor John Avalos asked the Chinese Progressive Association if they would be part of this garden since so many of the neighbors at the time were of Chinese ancestry. The society agreed, and today, many gardeners grow Chinese vegetables, celebrate Tai Chi in the morning and consider Sisterhood Gardens their neighborhood garden. Different classes are available throughout the year, including California native plants, compost and health workshops, and cloth dyeing using natural dyes. The whole community uses the garden during Easter to hunt for Easter eggs! Safe to say, Sisterhood Garden is a hallmark of the Oceanview district.
OCEANVIEW LIBRARY
When the idea of Sisterhood Gardens was first suggested, some local neighbors feared it would be the end of the Brotherhood Way Greenbelt. Recently, Supervisor Ahsha Safai has proposed an Oceanview Library at the foot of Orizaba Avenue, in the Greenbelt, on an earthquake fault, in a historic stream bed, on a narrow street, on the perimeter of the Oceanview district, far away from the population center, on a hill two blocks away from the M streetcar and on a busy thoroughfare making the location an "attractive nuisance" whereby children will be unnecessarily in danger. But these pages have already opined about that project.
Sisterhood Gardens is located at Brotherhood Way and Arch Street. Parking is usually available. We look forward to seeing you soon. Bring your camera!
Glenn Rogers, RLA
President, Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods (CSFN)
Landscape Architect, License 3223
August 28, 2024
