Fionuala Campion
Fionuala has loved the outdoors her whole life, with her passion for gardening beginning while playing and growing in the childhood gardens of her native Ireland. After moving to California over 30 years ago, she is the owner/manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma, a specialty nursery in NorCal. From this platform she shares her love of growing plants and transforming landscapes, while continuing to design and maintain gardens for clients. Having raised four kids with an appreciation for nature and the outdoors, and successfully sent them on their way with remarkable weeding skills, Fionuala now lives in the countryside of Petaluma with her dogs, hens, ducks and heritage hogs.
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Northern California Regional ReportsTake a Tour of a Botanical Garden Filled With California Native Plants
Founded in 1940 and located within Tilden Park in the canyon above Berkeley, California, a wild, 10-acre botanical garden awaits your discovery. Created to serve as a living museum of…
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Northern California Regional ReportsTips to Grow Better Cherry Tomatoes in Northern California
Though technically a fruit, the tomato is the most popular homegrown vegetable, with thousands of tasty varieties available for the kitchen gardener to choose from. Tomatoes can range from big…
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Northern California Regional ReportsThe Best Heucheras for Northern California
Long appreciated for their airy blooms and charming, carefree nature, native heucheras (Heuchera spp. and cvs., Zones 4–9) were gleaned from their mountain and woodland habitats many years ago to…
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Northern California Regional ReportsPerfect Plants for a Heavenly Hellstrip in Northern California
Reflected heat, passing foot traffic, poor soil, restricted space, and irrigation obstacles are just a few of the challenges faced by any plant grown in a “hellstrip.” This spot is…
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Northern California Regional ReportsGreat Native Plants for Gardens in Northern California
Many plants native to California—and the hybridized cultivars of those natives (aka nativars)—are attractive, easy-to-grow pollinator magnets, plus they have evolved strategies to survive California's long, rainless summers. Even during…
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Northern California Regional ReportsMarch Garden To-Do List for Northern California
The weather remains unpredictable in March in Northern California, with heat waves, frosty nights, downpours, and droughts all distinct possibilities. More often than not, this month delivers a mix of…
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Northern California Regional ReportsThe Best Spring Annuals to Direct-Sow in Northern California
Looking forward to a delightful spring and exuberant garden beds filled with cheerful, eye-catching, colorful flowers? Here in Northern California, the best spring show is achieved by starting work in…
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Northern California Regional ReportsColorful Camellias for the Winter Garden in Northern California
Would you like elegant, long-lasting blooms to bring indoors in the middle of winter? Or maybe you’ve been longing to add vibrancy, color, and beauty to your late-winter landscape? I’ve…
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Northern California Regional ReportsTips for Choosing and Planting a Bareroot Fruit Tree in Northern California
Plucking mouthwatering fruit from your own home-grown fruit tree is so rewarding. Growing your own lowers your carbon footprint (that luscious peach you're biting into was not driven in from…
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Northern California Regional ReportsNorthern California: February Garden To-Do List
As days gradually lengthen and the February sun shines with a little more intensity, Northern California plant lovers see encouraging signs of life as their gardens slowly emerge from winter…
