Regeneration means leaving people, plants, and places better than we found them. Exploring ways we can make the world a better, more balanced place.
Using Permaculture principles and a phased approach, we are developing clear steps to restore the land and reactivate the greenhouses.
Special considerations are being placed on native plant species, while paying homage to the historic botanical gardens and promoting new permaculture initiatives.
Growing food
Community Garden
Showcase of ClimateTech Solutions Permaculture Practices
THE LEGACY OF DR. HERMAN SCHWARTZ
Euphorbia Garden History
Dr. Herman Schwartz's interest in succulents, particularly Euphorbias, began serendipitously. In 1972, one of his oncology patients suggested he start with a few succulents on his windowsill. To his surprise, the plants thrived with minimal care, sparking a passion that would grow into an extensive collection of between 300,000 and 400,000 succulents, which he housed in one of the largest private greenhouses in North America, The Marin Bolinas Botanical Gardens (now Euphorbia Gardens).
Speaking about his passion for euphorbias, Dr. Herman Schwartz says, "It's a benign obsession." Euphorbias are a varied group of plants of remarkable forms and habitats, and flowers that are the gems of succulent collections.
Schwartz's legacy includes not only the physical gardens but also his contributions to botanical literature, particularly through the Euphorbia Journal. He authored and published a ten-volume series that has become a definitive reference on succulent Euphorbias. His work helped to elevate the status and understanding of these plants, making valuable knowledge accessible to enthusiasts and researchers worldwide.
"This is something I do for pure pleasure, information and wonderment." - Dr. Schwartz
Dr. Schwartz's love for succulents was not just about collecting but also about the joy of discovery and learning.
He once remarked, "The fascinating thing is the more I know, the more I want to know, and the less time I have. As you get older, you learn more and more about what you'd like to do".
Dr. Herman Schwartz passed away on January 12, 2008. His death marked the end of a life filled with significant contributions to both the medical field and the world of botany, particularly through his work with succulents and the creation of the Euphorbia Gardens in Bolinas. Here we will keep his legacy alive, preserving this beautiful Sanctuary following regenerative principles.
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