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UC Garden Clippings
University of California Botanical Garden
February 2010 - Vol 2, Issue 8
In This Issue
February in the Garden: Relish the Rain
Children's Programs
Private Life of Newts
Conservation
Propagator's Choice
February Programs
February Shop Sale


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The Garden will be closed for furlough days:

Monday, February 1
 -
Friday, February 5.

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February in the Garden: Relish the Rain
visitor in Arid House El Niño is embracing California- replenishing reservoirs, filling vernal pools, quenching our thirst for water, but sometimes hindering our outdoor gardening activities. Find pleasure in the winter rains at the Garden with delightful gardening programs and three glasshouses of stunning plants.
 
Enjoy a rainy afternoon browsing the thousands of plants in the Arid House (pictured right), and the Tropical House. Prominently placed in the entrance, the Arid House contains colorful cacti, succulents and other plants from cool dry and warm dry areas of the world. Look for the heart-shaped Pachypodium lamerei and the cone forming on the ancient Welwitschia mirabilis in the Arid House. The adjacent Orchid, Fern and Carnivorous Plant House is brimming with weird and wild plants- inspiration for sci-fi writers and fans of the movie Avatar. Pause in the Tropical House to study the honey bees at work in the demonstration hive, then look for the cocoa tree with its swelling football-shaped pods that ultimately produce chocolate.

Stay dry in the Garden's Conference Center as Horticulturist Meghan Ray takes you on a tour of garden history (the subject of her master's thesis) on three successive Saturday afternoons in February. Ms. Ray will lead intrepid armchair gardeners through ancient and medieval gardens, renaissance gardens and into modernism. A graduate of the NYBG School of Professional Horticulture, Ms. Ray worked at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for ten years before joining UCBG in 2006. While at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Ray gave seminars, authored papers and served as curator of the Rock Garden, the fern collection, the Fragrance Garden, and the Shakespeare Garden. She is an engaging speaker and promises you a seminar filled with warm, sunny gardens.

Let the rains come...

Children's Programs at the Garden
by Christine Manoux, Education Program Coordinator
Look for special youth programs once a month for budding botanists and younger green-thumbs...

February brings the return of our popular Valentine's Day High Tea - a garden exploration of edible herbs and flowers, followed by creating snacks and drinks, and valentine making from pressed botanicals.

And Summer Camp registration is now open! Click here to see this year's schedule and to download a registration form.
 
Explore the Private Life of the Garden's Newts
newt
The Garden is home to two newt species, Taricha torosa (California newt) and Taricha granulosa (rough-skin newt). The winter rains prompt the newts to migrate to the Garden's Japanese Pool where their mating rituals and general cavorting can be easily observed by visitors. The Garden is offering several opportunities to get up close and personal with newts this February.

Newt Podcast by Garden Director Paul Licht
Paul Licht began his career as a zoology professor at UC Berkeley. When presenting him with the Berkeley Citation, his colleagues noted "his research into the factors that determine sexual differentiation, sexual maturation and reproductive physiology in a wide variety of species-including amphibians, reptiles and mammals-has resulted in more than 300 publications and has made him one of most respected comparative endocrinologists in the world."

With this podcast Licht provides an introduction to the private life of the Garden's newts.

Faunal Talk & Newt Tour with Garden Director Paul Licht
Friday, February 12, 1 - 3 pm
After 40 years as a zoologist, Director Paul Licht discovered plants, but his deep knowledge and love for animals continues in the Garden--an oasis for many wonderful creatures . Come listen to an exclusive presentation in the Myrtle Wolf Library, normally closed to the public, on Fauna in the Garden followed by a walk to the Japanese Pool where the newts are having all kinds of fun. This is a rare opportunity to spend time in the classroom and field with one of the University's most extraordinary professors.
$35, $30 members; Space is limited to 12, registration required
 
Happy Newt Year! newt
Sunday, February 21, 1 -2 pm
Enjoy this opportunity to visit the newts at the Garden's Japanese Pool with expert docent Jan Washburn on hand to describe what you see and answer questions.
Free with Garden Admission; Stop by the Japanese Pool anytime during the hour; All Ages

Conservation
by Holly Forbes, Curator

Rainy days may inspire people to remain indoors, but these rains are waking up the summer dormant plants in the collection and in habitat.

Garden staff provided 12,500 seeds of San Mateo Thornmint (Acanthomintha duttonii) for an effort to supplement the only natural population in the world at Edgewood Preserve, south of San Francisco. The rains have helped just over 30% of them germinate to date and more will surely follow. This annual species flowers and sets seed in May and June, so we have a long wait for flowers, but it will be worth it. Garden staff recently planted 180 pots of more seeds of the thornmint, so that we can provide tens of thousands more seeds for future projects.

Delphinium bakeriRain or shine, we will be checking our introduction sites in the field in early February. Baker's larkspur (Delphinium bakeri) will just be coming out of dormancy then, and we want to see how they fared in their new wild sites in Marin County. We'll be observing them monthly and keep you apprised of their status. Pictured left: Delphinium bakeri

If you missed the major January move of the only remaining  wild plant of Franciscan manzanita (Arctostaphylos franciscana) in the San Francisco Presidio, discovered in the midst of the Doyle drive renovation in October, visit SFGate for a photo.  Franciscan manzanita plants that have been growing in the here in the Garden since 1953 are on display in the Garden's Californian Area, Serpentine Plant Communities Display. We are currently involved in the propagation of the new specimen.


Just for Members
Enjoy an exclusive opportunity to stroll the Garden with Curator Holly Forbes. She will describe the Garden's conservation programs for the Presidio and Franciscan (Doyle Drive) manzanitas and take you to see these and other rare species in the collection. Space is limited, so get your reservation in promptly. Pictured below: Presidio manzanita (Arctostaphylos montana ssp. ravenii)

Presidio manzanitaThursday, February 18, 1 pm
Reservations required · Members only · Free

Five Ways to Join
Online
On-Site: Stop by the Garden Kiosk
Phone: 510-643-2755 x0
FAX: 510-642-3012
Mail: 200 Centennial Dr · Berkeley · CA 94720

Thank you for supporting the UC Botanical Garden.



Propagator's Choice
Rhododendron veitchianum by Bryan Gim
Volunteer Propagation Coordinator & Arid House Horticulturist

Rhododendron veitchianum is a compact shrub to small tree that grows 4 to 5 feet tall. It blooms rather prolifically in February and March. The flowers are wonderfully fragrant with frilled, pink edges. This Southeast Asian plant is hardy to -6°C (20°F) and is heat and drought tolerant. Examples can be seen in the Asian Area of the Garden and it is a wonderful addition to your Bay Area garden. We have fat and sassy plants in one gallon containers for $15.00


Due to Popular Demand the

Fabulous Plant Clearance Sale Has Been Extended

We've Put Out More Inventory
Take Advantage of Great Prices on Super Plants

Saturday, February 6th through Sunday, February 14th!
Hours from 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
No further discounts on clearance material. All sales are final. No returns. All clearance plants sold on a first come first serve basis; no rainchecks.

Thursday Propagation Area Sales
Thursdays, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Visit the behind-the scenes propagation areas to purchase plants and consult with our expert volunteer propagators. Check the following sites for current plant lists:

California Native Plant Nursery
Landscape Cacti & Succulents Nursery

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

Programs and Events
Sick Plant ClinicPolypodium calirhiza
Saturday, February 6,  9 am - noon

Full!   Introduction to Botanical Art
Saturday and Sunday February 20 & 21 10 am - 4 pm
$125, $115 members, Registration required,
See below for new class added in March

A History of Gardens in Three Parts
Saturdays, February 13, 20 & 27, 2010, 1 - 3:30 pm
Part 1 | Ancient and Medieval Gardens
Part 2 | Landscape Design from the Renaissance to the Early Modern Period
Part 3 | Modernism
$15, $12 members each class; $40, $30 members for all 3

Private Faunal Talk & Newt Tour
with Director Paul Licht

Friday, February 12, 1 - 3 pm
After 40 years as a zoologist, Director Paul Licht discovered plants, but his deep knowledge and love for animals continues in the Garden . Come listen to an exclusive presentation in the Myrtle Wolf Library, normally closed to the public, on Zoology in the Garden followed by a walk to the Japanese Pool where the Newts are having all kinds of fun.
$35, $30 members, Space is limited to 12, Registration required

Valentine's Day High Tea for Kids
Sunday, February 14, 2 - 3:30 pm
Enjoy a special celebration of herbs and flowers at this afternoon tea party for adults and children of all ages. Make fresh teas, herb finger sandwiches, taste lavender cookies and make valentines from pressed botanicals.
$20 (1 adult + 1 child),  $17 Members (1 adult + 1 child),  $12 Each additional child or adult
Registration required

Conservation Walk for Members
Thursday, February 18, 1 - 2 pm
Enjoy an exclusive opportunity to stroll the Garden with Curator Holly Forbes. She will describe the Garden's conservation programs for the Presdio and Franciscan manzanitas and take you to see these and other rare species in the collection. Space is limited, so get your reservation in promptly.
Free, Members only, Registration required

Winter Bird Walk
Polypodium calirhizaSaturday, February 20, 9 - 10:30 am
Take a walk with Chris Carmichael, Associate Director of Collections and Research and Phila
Rogers, expert birder, and be surprised by how active the winter is.
$20,  $17 Members, Registration required

Happy Newt Year!
Sunday, February 21, 1 - 2 pm
Enjoy this opportunity to visit the newts at the Garden's Japanese Pool with expert docent Jan Washburn on hand to describe what you see and answer questions.
Free with Garden Admission; Stop by the Japanese Pool anytime during the hour; All Ages

Pictured top right: Polypody fern (Polypodium calirhiza) grows in the California Area of the Garden.
Pictured bottom left: This is the underside of a Polypodium calirhiza frond, showing the round sori (spore-bearing structures).


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 or to purchase/renew a membership.

Coming in March
Check the Garden Calendar for wonderful March programs and events including The Buzz on Bees, a visit with author Pam Peirce, Fiber & Dye Exhibit & Reception, spinning with Eco-Fibers and Native Plant Dyes.

membershipNew!  Monthly Butterfly Walks
Fourth Tuesday of Each Month (March - October) 3 - 4 pm
Join Sally Levinson, Garden volunteer propagator, docent and caterpillar lady as she guides you through the collection in search of butterflies.
Free with Garden admission; Space is limited; Registration required; Children welcome

Just Added!  An Introduction to Botanical Art
Thursday and Friday, March 18 and 19, 10 am - 4 pm
This two-day class will teach you to observe, measure and draw plants in great detail with botanical accuracy. Work with graphite, colored pencils and watercolor. Led by renowned artist Catherine Watters. All levels welcome.
$125, $115 members, Registration required

 February Sale at the Garden Shop: 30% Off Children's Books & Games
travel match gameAll children's books and games are 30% off during the month of February!  Come in soon for the best selection and stock up on birthday and holiday gifts.

Sample titles:
Butterflies Matching Game
The Biography of Bananas
Travel Matching Game
Travel Color Dominoes
Grass Games & Moon RacesBio of Bananas
Red Butterfly
Gardenopoly
and many more...

No other discounts apply. Limited to supply on hand.



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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 five email publications:
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  • 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.
  • Tours: Be the first to know when the Garden has a new tour available for schools and other groups. Get details on arranging tours for your group.
Editor: Vanessa Crews, [email protected], 510-643-2937