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UC Garden Clippings
University of California Botanical Garden
August 2009 - Vol 2, Issue 2
In This Issue
Thursday Propagator Sales
Propagator's Choice
August: Cloud Forest Journey
Garden Conservation
Thank You Members
August Programs
Garden Shop Specials

The UC Botanical Garden's Redwood Grove
is closed this summer due to restoration work on Winter Creek.


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Thursday
Propagator Sales
Propagation Areas
Open for Sales


California Natives
Cactus and Succulents
Trees and Shrubs

Thursdays
10:30 am to 1:30 pm

Succulent gardens in ceramic pots are now available year round on the plant deck. Each garden is hand-crafted and features a selection of exotic and unusual specimens of cacti, agave, sedums and other succulents. The gardens make fabulous gifts and prices start at only $10.

Becoming a member of the UC Botanical Garden entitles you to 10% off most plant purchases.
Propagator's Choice

cupheaThe Meso-American cloud forests are home to some very beautiful Cupheas. These shrubby perennials thrive in a cool habitat with dappled sun. Although they prefer some moisture, Cupheas display some degree of drought tolerance when established. Cupheas bloom profusely, even in shade, with bright, candy-colored, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees. We have a variety of wonderful Cuphea species and cultivars for sale on our plant deck starting at $8 for a one gallon pot.

We will have limited quantities of the cloud forest holy grail, Deppea splendens, the golden fuchsia, at our fall plant sale, September 27th, 2009. Members have the best selection at the preview. Join now for your opportunity to own this rare plant.

Quick Links
August in the Garden: Cloud Forest Journey
Chiranthodendron pentadactylonYou won't need a passport or airplane ticket to visit an extraordinary Mexican/Central American cloud forest this summer. The UC Botanical Garden boasts one of the premier cloud forest collections in the United States, growing dozens of species in a lush, densely planted landscape. Other public gardens house small collections in glasshouses but the Bay Area's mild winters and cool foggy summers are uniquely suited for growing many of these plants outdoors.

Horticulturist Eric Schulz (Cal '93), who has managed the collection for fifteen years, explains, "Nearly everything in this collection is endangered in its native habitat. The cloud forest consists of less than 1% of ecosystem communities in Mexico and Central America, and these fragile areas are vulnerable to both climate change and clearing for agricultural demands."

The imposing monkey hand tree (Chiranthodendron pentadactylon) is one of Schulz's favorites. Picking up a flower from the path, Schulz points out the prominent yellow stripes  and distinctive form that suggests the tree's common name, and points overhead to a monkey hand tree laden with flowers. "These trees were significant to the Aztec culture and used for medicinal purposes to treat inflammation, as well as used in worship practices," relates Schulz, "and they are an important feature in the Garden landscape surrounded by an understory of delicate cloud forest fuchsias, salvias, tree ferns and extremely rare conifers."

Explore the UC Botanical Garden's cloud forest this summer and discover an uncommon tropical landscape.

Garden Conservation: Cloud Forest Highlights

by Holly Forbes, Curator

There are many interesting and beautiful species in this collection. One member of the kiwi family (Actinidiaceae) is Saurauia madrensis, a tall shrub with white flowers native to Chiapas, Mexico. This species was described for science by the Garden's Assistant Curator Barbara Keller, and Dr. Dennis Breedlove in 1981, while they both worked at the California Academy of Sciences. It was added to the Garden's collection from seeds collected by Breedlove and the Garden's curator at the time, Dr. Bruce Bartholomew, in November 1981 in the montane rain forest of Cerro Saurauia madrensisMotozal at nearly 7000 feet elev. This plant can be seen in beds 350, 351 and 361; another accession is in bed 175 near the Garden entrance. It's just going out of flower now.

The many magnolia species from Mexico have been used in systematics research, and were featured on the cover of the American Journal of Botany in 2001. One of these, Magnolia sharpii, is thought to exist in just a few mountain populations, though when seed was collected by Dr. Bartholomew and Dr. Breedlove in 1981, it was thought to be nearly extinct. It flowered for the first time in the Garden in 1989, and has been featured in many Garden publications.

Support the Garden's conservation efforts by becoming a UC Botanical Garden member.

Thank You Members: Two Free August Events
redwood concert
The Garden is pleased to present two free events in August as a thank you to our 1500 members. Your generous support maintains one of the most diverse plant collections in the United States.
Thank you!

Sunset Stroll & Wine
Enjoy the gorgeous evening hours and a glass of wine or sparkling lemonade in the Garden during this exclusive opportunity to wander the Garden paths after hours. Take in the beautiful light, the surprise of color, and the sounds of evening birds.
Wednesday, August 5, 5 - 8:00 pm
$12, FREE for members, become a member at the door or by phone.
Membership & tour registration: 510-643-2755 x03

Redwoods & Ragas:
Indian Classical Music in the Redwood Grove

Surround yourself with redwoods and ragas. Join two of the area's most talented and inspired artists of Indian classical music, Josh Feinberg and Javad Butah, as they present an early evening concert of sitar and tabla in the Garden's spectacular Redwood Grove Amphitheater. Special guest Jay Gandhi will perform on the bansuri, a handmade bamboo flute.
Saturday, August 29, 5 - 7 pm
$15, FREE for members, become a member at the door or by phone.
Membership & concert registration: 510-643-2755 x03
 
Exclusive Saturday Shopping:
California Native Plant Propagation Area

Saturday, August 29, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm

This is a rare opportunity to visit and shop the propagation area on a Saturday. Our friendly and knowledgeable propagators will be available to help with questions and advice. Please come by and enjoy the best selection of plants we have had all year. 

August Plant List
August Programs and Events

Sick Plant Clinic: Saturday, August 1,  9 am - noon
Join Dr. Raabe for his monthly Sick Plant Clinic and find out which diseases ail your plants. Entomologists are also available to identify the pests that are living in your plants. Please bring plants and disease samples in closed containers or bags.

Sunset Stroll & Wine: Wednesday, August 5, 5 - 8:00 pm
Enjoy the gorgeous evening hours and a glass of wine or sparkling lemonade in the Garden during this exclusive opportunity to wander the Garden paths after hours. Take in the beautiful light, the surprise of color, and the sounds of evening birds.
$12, FREE for members    Reservations required.

Carnivorous Plants for Little Green Thumbs (for Kids): Thursday, August 13, 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Discover amazing insect-eating carnivorous plants, where and how they grow and create a potted carnivorous plant bog garden to take home. Includes a tour of the Orchid, Fern and Carnivorous Plant Greenhouse.
$20, $17 members   Price includes one adult, one child, and one dish garden. $12 each additional child or adult per family. Reservations required.

Botanical Watercolors: Saturday, August 22, 10 am - 1 pm
Join Bay Area Artist Sylvia La for a morning of watercolors. In this workshop, we'll focus on basic techniques of watercolor painting and composition. Participants should bring a pad or several sheets of watercolor paper, watercolor paints, a pallet, brushes, a sketchbook (optional) and any other materials they like to work with.
$35, $30 members    Reservations required.

Folk Music in the Redwood Grove:
Thursday, August 27, 5:30 - 7 pm
A special collection of indie folk bands enchant the Redwood Grove at this evening concert. Bands include Indianna Hale, The Blank Tapes and T.V. Mike & the Scarecrowes.
$16, $14 members;  Reservations required.

Year of Science 2009 August: Weather/Climate Unselt Lecture: Saturday, August 29, 1 - 3 pm
Come listen to this year's Unselt Lecture on climate change and the future of the California flora. Presenter: Dr. David Ackerly, Department of Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley
Free;  Reservations required.

Redwoods & Ragas: Indian Classical Music @ Redwood Grove: Saturday, August 29, 5 - 7 pm
$15, FREE for members   Reservations required.

Always check the Garden Calendar for event details and updates.
Reservations are accepted daily, including weekends, 9 am - 4:30 pm.
Call 510-643-2755 x03 for event registration.

Garden Shop Specials
garden hats
Sale price: $18.95 (regularly $22.95)
Garden Hats 
Embroidered garden logo
Material: Cotton, Brim: 3"
Colors: Natural, Tea, Banana & Lime
Size: One size (Adjustable Inner Drawstring) 
Excellent UV Sun Protection- UPF 50+

No other discounts apply.
Sale ends August 31, 2009


wide ribbon roller hat

 


Price: $31.99

Wide Ribbon Roller Hats
Striped ribbon sewn around the rim creates a softly flattering hat.
Brim: 5"
One size with interior CoolMax� elastic headband

Visors and caps are also available in the Garden Shop.



Manage Your Subscription
The UC Garden Clippings is a publication of the University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley. You can manage your subscriptions to Garden electronic publications by choosing Update Profile/Email Address at the bottom of the newsletter. The Update Profile/Email Address feature provides subscription options, allowing you to select those garden publications you wish to receive. Select Safe Unsubscribe to remove your email address from all UCBG electronic publications. The Garden offers four email publications:
  • UC Garden Clippings: This is a monthly newsletter featuring garden events and stories.
  • Updates: Occasional brief emails are sent to highlight special garden events.
  • Plant Deck: This is a monthly email describing plants available for purchase in the Garden.
  • Garden Clubs: This is an occasional publication describing special events and opportunities for garden clubs and plant societies.
Editor: Vanessa Crews, [email protected], 510-643-2937