UC Garden Clippings University of California Botanical Garden
July 2010 - Vol 3, Issue 1
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Thank you to our 1217 Facebook fans!
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July Fourth Weekend
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Enjoy the predicted beautiful weather and plan a picnic in the Garden. The deep shade of the Redwood Grove is inviting on a hot summer day.
Stay cool by the Strawberry Creek waterfall in the California area with a seat on the secluded Gardner bench.
Walk with an expert: free docent walks (with Garden admission) are available Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 PM.
Take the Garden's self-guided summer stroll.
Visit The Garden Shop and browse our used book sale of horticultural and botanical titles. They are priced to sell at $2 to $10.
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Maladora Blooms: Visit Today!
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June 30, 7 am, Maladora | Maladora started opening at 2 pm on Tuesday, June 29. By 7 am this morning (June 30) Maladora was fully open and at full stench. The odor comes in waves, luring visitors, who leave with a little eau de Maladora clinging to clothes and hair. To a carrion-eating insect Maladora appears like the perfect meal of decaying flesh, but for visitors Maladora is a magnificent inflorescence and a close up look at the private life of a titan arum. Maladora will receive the public on Wednesday, June 30 from 9 am until 5 pm. The Garden will be open for members only from 5 until 7 pm. Join at the kiosk. Membership forms are available for download on the garden website. Only a handful of titan arums bloom each year in the United States providing a few fortunate visitors the opportunity to witness an extraordinary botanical phenomenon. Join us for music from the land of Maladora (Java) on Thursday July 1, in the Redwood Grove when the Garden host's Cal's Gamelan Sari Raras in our Redwood Grove. Follow Maladora via the web, email, Facebook and Twitter. |
July at the Garden: The Mediterranean Collection
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Origanum rotundifolium | Italy. Greece. Spain. France. Turkey. Israel. Croatia. Crete. Morocco. Cape Verde Islands. Canary Islands.
These exotic destinations are home to the plants of the Garden's Mediterranean collection. Most Bay Area gardeners know about the importance of the 'mediterranean' climate and plants, but few may have visited a collection from 'The Mediterranean'. Located on the steep eastern edge of the Garden, this area is evocative of the rocky slopes above the Mediterranean Sea. The meeting of three continents, Europe, Africa and Asia, in this region results in a particularly diverse flora. The mediterranean climate is characterized by cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Native flora from this region adapted survival strategies to conserve water, making them particularly attractive for California gardens.
Featured in the garden's Mediterranean collection are plants from the maquis, a plant community of shrubs and low trees with small, leathery leaves, similar to the chaparral of California and the matorral of South America. Rock-roses (Cistus), heathers (Erica) and brooms (Genista) are widespread in the maquis. There are many species of aromatic lavenders (Lavandula), oregano (Origanum), and thymes (Thymus) from Italy and France, and July is an excellent month to view these herbs.
Colin Baxter, horticulturist for the area, adds, "The mixed deciduous woodland provides a cool, green shaded retreat for hot summer days as well as fine views across the Garden and to San Francisco Bay. Look for some of the deciduous Mediterranean trees like maples (Acer), hazelnut (Corylus) and an alder (Alnus) from Cyprus. Layered amongst these deciduous elements are evergreen shrubs like Phillyrea or Erica, and a shade and drought tolerant shrub, butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus), that bears its flowers on the middle of a cladode, a leaf-like stem."
Include a stroll through the Mediterranean collection on your July visit to the Garden and let the summer fragrances of lavender and thyme evoke memories - or inspire dreams - of a Mediterranean landscape.
Banner photo: Catananche caerulea
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Conservation |
Ballota pseudodictamnus | by Holly Forbes, Curator
False horehound, false dittany or Grecian horehound (Ballota pseudodictamnus), is a very popular garden subject throughout Europe and the USA. You can see this perennial subshrub in Bed 700B of the Mediterranean Area, flowering in July.
In habitat this species grows on steep rocky limestone slopes up to 800 meters in the southern Aegean region. It's native to Crete, Libya, and Turkey (introduced in Italy and Sicily). Several members of the genus Ballota, including B. pseudodictamnus, are being studied for their super antioxidant properties.
False horehound was categorized as rare by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) in 1997, likely due to habitat destruction. There are a number of other species rare in habitat but common in horticulture, including Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), which is restricted to just a few natural sites in the Monterey area but is commonly planted, even in plantations, all over the world.
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Tribute Plaza Makes 100: Deadline for Submitting Bricks Extended to July 8
| We pleased and proud to announce that we not only met the 100-brick challenge, but we surpassed it! Our new Tribute Plaza continues to grow thanks to the generosity of 111 donors, so far to date, who met the challenge and submitted their bricks before our challenge deadline of June 30. Our anonymous donor was delighted with the news, saying to Paul Licht, "I'm gratified by the magnanimity and charity of Garden supporters. Its a pleasure to contribute $30,000 to the Garden in their honor and it is my sincere hope that others are inspired to make further tribute gifts." There is still time to be included in the first installation; bricks must be submitted in a batch to meet the engravers requirements.
If you're considering adding your name or honoring a friend or family member with a gift to the Tribute Plaza, the deadline to be in the first round of tribute bricks has been extended to July 8. After this time, the cost of bricks may increase and the next set will not be installed until next year. You can submit your order by phone to Vanessa Crews, 510-643-2937 or fax it to her at 510-642-3012. Need inspiration for your tribute? See what others are saying or download a form on our website. |
Docent Training 2011
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Students examine a cactus under the watchful eyes of a docent. | Do you enjoy working with people of all ages? Do you have a love of plants and nature you'd like to share with others? You can help the UC Botanical Garden by becoming a UCBG Docent. We educate thousands of school children and adults each year about plants and the natural environment. Our docents create memorable and exciting learning experiences for small groups of school children, university students and the general public. Training is provided by the Garden's expert horticultural staff, experienced docents, and by plant specialists from UC Berkeley and the community. There will be opportunities for trainees to shadow tours led by current docents and to practice giving their own tours. Upon successful completion of the training program and requirements, the commitment for leading tours is a minimum of two tours per month for adults and school-aged children for at least one year post graduation. The program includes 24 sessions and will run January 10 through April 18, 2011 on Mondays & Thursdays, 1 - 4 pm. Fee: $250 (includes one-year Individual discounted UCBG membership), $225 members. For more information about volunteering, and to apply for Docent Training, email the Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] or call 510-643-1924. |
Propagator's Choice: Phlomis purpurea
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by Bryan Gim, Volunteer Propagation Program Coordinator & Horticulturist, Arid House
The Jerusalem sage or purple phlomis is a beautiful Mediterranean member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is an upright shrub that grows 4-6 feet tall with fuzzy, gray-green leaves and lavender flowers that can appear throughout the year. It prefers a sunny location and, once established, has low water and maintenance demands.
It is a fantastic plant for Bay Area gardens. We have prime, one-gallon pots of this plant for $8.00. |
Go Hunting in the Garden......for Art
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Planting ComicsGo on an art hunt in the Garden. Ozge Samanci has planted 20 comic tiles in the Garden. Use this map to find all 20 and to create your own comic plant story on the back. Explore the Garden with Ozge on Wednesday, July 7 when she leads a walk to all 20 tiles. Over 150 visitors enjoyed the opening of Ozge's exhibition on June 21 at our Summer Solstice party. Special thanks go to ACT Catering & Event Production and their affiliate the Jazz Cafe for donating the delicious appetizers for the event. View photos on our Facebook page. Photo by Susan Lindh
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� � � Comic Trees in Berkeley! ! !Local sculptor Ama Torrance has planted life size cartoon trees in the tradition of pop art behind the Tropical House. All in the spirit of fun ... and art the trees are drought-tolerant and hardy with documented wild origins from the artist. Look closely behind the Tropical House throughout the summer months for this only in Berkeley treat. |
July Concert Series: Garden Grooves in the Grove
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Classical Indian in the Grove | Thursdays in July: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 5:30 - 7 pm Join us for a fabulous line-up of local musicians for our special summer concert series. Pack a picnic and bring a bottle of your favorite vintage to the Garden's Redwood Grove for an evening of music. The magical sounds of music drifting through the Redwood Grove will enchant guests of all ages. $15, $12 members. Children under 5 Free, Children 5-17 half price July 1- Gamelan Join us for an evening of music from Java (home of Maladora) with Cal's own Gamelan Sari Raras, a performing ensemble in the Department of Music at UC Berkeley. Founded in 1988 under the leadership of Midiyanto and Ben Brinner it includes students and former students at Berkeley who specialize in various types of Indonesian music, as well as others who have trained in Indonesia. The instruments in a gamelan are composed of sets of tuned bronze gongs, gong-chimes, metallophones, drums, flutes, and plucked string instruments. The gamelan is closely connected to the spiritual beliefs of the local people and steeped in ritual and tradition. July 8- Singer-Songwriter Night Ed Masuga is a finger-picking maniac; a one-man folk and blues orchestra of beautiful clanks and calls. That Blasted Hound - Davyd Nereo of Beatbeat Whisper brings you thoughtful energetic indie folk born from the hills of Northern California and nurtured in Oakland. Chloe Makes Music - The lovely melodic sounds of singer songwriter Chloe Roth. July 15- Special Children's Show Aaron Calvert is a local nursery school teacher (and in his off-hours
is singer-songwriter for the band Winfred E. Eye). Some of the beloved
songs he plays with children are now available at http://aaroncalvert.com. He will be performing with coworkers Eric Hart, Larry Van Riggs, Daniel
Paige and Charlie Vincent. Bring some kids and be ready for fun! July 22 - Foot-stomping Music Quinn DeVeaux and The Blue Beat Review is the dance floor between the sweet old times and the new easy times. T.V. Mike & the Scarecrows - Creating a stir from Mendocino to the San
Joaquin and in every honky-tonk and hipster bar in between, T.V. Mike
& the Scarecrows steer a course between Beachwood Sparks'
cosmic-country and the more traditional bluegrass leanings of The Avett
Brothers, both with whom they have shared stages. July 29- Stay Tuned for a Special Treat |
Programs and Events
| Sick Plant Clinic
Saturday, July 3, 9
am - noon Sunset Art Stroll Wednesday, July 7, 6 - 7:30 pm Take a stroll through the Garden with artist Ozge Samanci as she shows you the tiles of her newest installation "Planting Comics." $10, $5 members, UC faculty, staff & students Horticultural Walk: The Herb Garden & BeyondThursday, July 8, 1 - 2:00 pm Join
Elaine Sedlack, horticulturist for the Asian Area, Herb Garden and
Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden for a tour of the Garden beginning in the
Herb Garden and winding through Asia to the Japanese Pool. $10, Free for members Sunset StrollWednesday, July 14, 6 - 8 pm Enjoy the glorious evening light and a glass of sparkling lemonade as you walk through the Garden in the quiet after hours. $10, Free for members Terrariums of Carnivorous PlantsSaturday, July 17, 2 - 3 pm Join artists Sarah Filley
and Yvette Molina as they teach you how to make mini ecosystems. You'll learn about special environments and carnivorous plants and you'll be planting up your own terrarium to take home with you! Includes a mini-tour of the Garden's Orchid, Fern and Carnivorous Plant House. Filley and Molina are the innovative artists behind Wonderarium, a proposed public art project for a large-scale floating terrarium on Lake Merritt. $20, $17 members; price includes one adult and one child; $12 each additional child or adult per family. Space is limited, registration required. Sally Levinson released this newly hatched Pipevine Swallowtail at the start of the June Butterfly Walk. Photo by Susan Lindh. | Butterfly WalkTuesday, July 27, 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. Children welcome. Sunset StrollWednesday, July 28, 6 - 8 pm Enjoy the glorious evening light and a glass of sparkling lemonade as you walk through the Garden in the quiet after hours. $10, Free for members Kids Cook in the GardenSaturday, July 31, 1 - 2:30 pm There's nothing better than eating what you've freshly picked! Join Garden education staff to discover foods growing in the Garden's Crops of the World Collection where you'll harvest ingredients and learn to create delicious snacks, like the Sunny Sunchoke Salad. For budding chefs aged 7-12. $20, $17 members; price includes one adult and one child; $12 each additional child or adult per family. Space is limited, registration 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 or to purchase/renew a membership.
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Why Membership Matters |
Your membership to the UC Botanical Garden helps support one of the
community's greatest environmental resources. Through us, you'll have an
even greater impact on the region. Because of your support, the UC Botanical Garden can help educate thousands of children and college students about plants,
whether as part of a Garden tour, lab or in the classroom.
Your support preserves a vital resource for scientists and naturalists, including: - Over a thousand rare and endangered plants
- The world's largest collection of California native plants
- The nation's most diverse collection of plants with a provenance
Click here to learn about the different levels of Garden Membership including special discounts for Cal affiliates. You may join online by visiting the Garden's membership page. Select the appropriate membership level and follow the screen prompts. Five Ways to Join
On-Site: Stop by the Garden Kiosk Phone: 510-643-2755 x0 FAX: 510-642-3012 Mail: 200 Centennial Dr � Berkeley � CA 94720-5045
Special Gift if You Visit and Join on July FourthVisit the Garden and make a membership gift (or a gift membership) and we will give you a fine art print by Gary Bukovnik. |
Manage Your Subscription
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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 this Clippings. 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: - UC Garden Clippings: This is a monthly publication 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.
- 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.
- Garden Events & Programs: This is a quarterly preview of upcoming workshops, classes, tours and festivities.
Editor: Vanessa Crews, [email protected], 510-643-2937
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