Sponsor Spotlight: New Wave Green Helps North Star House Grow New Life with Native Hedgerow

A beautiful new native hedgerow is taking root at the historic North Star House, thanks to the generosity and expertise of local business sponsor Molly Breen, founder of New Wave Green.

Blending ecological design with historical tradition, the hedgerow spans the east lawn of the Julia Morgan-designed property, creating habitat for pollinators, enhancing the site’s natural beauty, and reviving a classic landscape form that dates back to the 19th century.

“Hedgerows were often used on large estates and farms,” says Breen. “We wanted to honor that tradition while using hardy, drought-tolerant native California plants that support local wildlife and require minimal irrigation once established.”

Breen, who has been a dedicated supporter at the North Star House, worked closely with President Paula Campbell to bring the project to life. The hedgerow was supported through a grant from the Xerces Society, which is supplying a native plant kit, along with generous plant donations from the California Native Plant Society - Redbud Chapter.

The hedgerow is intended to be a lasting part of the landscape, evolving with the seasons and growing fuller over time.

“The wildflowers will shift year by year, but the structure of the hedgerow, made up of shrubs and perennials, will remain,” explains Breen. “This fall, we’ll be adding more perennials like asters and solidagos to extend the bloom period into next season. We couldn’t get everything in during year one, but we’re building it over time.”

With Breen’s help, the North Star House will also be developing a QR code trail alongside the hedgerow that will link to a webpage featuring photos and descriptions of the plants included. The goal is to help visitors engage more deeply with the landscape and enjoy learning about native plants throughout the seasons.

“This wouldn’t be possible without sponsors like Molly,” says Campbell. “Her time, expertise, and generosity have brought something truly special to the North Star House.”

The North Star House is in desperate need of volunteers to help maintain our gardens and grounds. If you have a green thumb—or just a willingness to lend a hand—we’d love your help. Please visit www.NorthStarHouse.org/volunteer to learn more.