The International Garden at Markham Nature Park and Arboretum is a unique sanctuary for trees, shrubs, and plants, that thrive in the unique micro-climate of the inland Northern California region. Located just twenty blocks from the heart of Concord, this quiet 16-acre reserve has been developed into a showplace for horticultural treasures.

The region from Fairfield and Sonoma in the north to Livermore in the south encompasses a landscape where many species of flora from around the world can grow and thrive. The International Garden is divided into smaller gardens, around its perimeter, where living exhibits of trees and shrubs from all over the world can be seen.

Established gardens are South Africa, Australia/ New Zealand, Asia, South America, California, the Southwest and Eastern United States. People from the entire region can learn from the wide variety of plants that can be grown in our own backyards.

In addition, the International Garden features many different varieties of grasses and turf. There is some of the traditional bluegrass lawn as well as frothy buffalo grasses and tenacious native grasses grown from plugs.

The recently established South American garden was planted with the help from over 150 volunteers from Chevron, Well Fargo Bank, and Starbucks. These volunteers generously gave their time and energy during the United Way's "Week of Caring" to not only plant the South American garden, but also to spruce up other areas of Markham Park.