About Fernwood & Oak
A small studio with a simple belief: a well-designed garden makes daily life better, and it should be kind to the place it lives in.
Our story
Fernwood & Oak was founded in 2014 by Mara Ellison, a horticulturist who grew tired of seeing beautiful gardens installed and then slowly fall apart from neglect. She built the studio around a different idea: design and care belong together. Today we're a team of four — two designers and two garden technicians — working on a deliberately small number of projects so each one gets real attention.
How we work
We believe in restraint. The best gardens aren't the busiest ones; they're the ones that fit their site and their owners. We lean on California natives and water-wise design not as a trend but because they make for healthier, lower-maintenance landscapes. And we stay involved after planting, because that's when a garden actually becomes itself.
The team
Mara Ellison
Founder & lead designer. Certified horticulturist, 18 years in Bay Area landscapes.
Devin Park
Designer. Specializes in native plant palettes and pollinator habitat.
Sofia Reyes
Lead garden technician. Runs our seasonal maintenance program.
Tom Whitaker
Irrigation specialist. Designs every water-wise system we install.
Common questions
Do you offer free consultations?
We offer a free 20-minute phone consultation, followed by a paid on-site walkthrough that we credit toward your project if you proceed.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, and the surrounding East Bay.
Do you guarantee your plantings?
Yes — we warranty planting for a full growing season and replace anything that fails to establish under normal care.
Get in touch