UC Garden Clippings University of California Botanical Garden
January 2011 - Vol 3, Issue 7
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January in the Garden: Plants Illustrated
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| Diospryos sp. by Susan Olness |
Before photography, scientists relied on the work of botanical illustrators to document and record plants. Today botanical art is prized for plant portraits that are both elegant and technically accurate. Artist Catherine Watters explains, "Botanical art is a magical way of looking at plants. You see things most people never see and appreciate the wonders of nature in a new way. It's a marriage of art and science."
Botanical artists are trained to be patient and observant. A portrait usually begins with close examination of a living plant using a magnifying glass. This is followed by a detailed pencil drawing and slowly adding many layers of color. A single piece can take an artist 40 to 120 hours to complete, and can combine views of plants at different seasons and include tubers, roots and even visiting insects. Catherine Watters suggests, "The elegant images of botanical art capture the soul of the plant."
Watters and fellow artists from the Northern California Society of Botanical Artists are sponsoring Plants Illustrated, January 8 - 28, in the Garden's Conference Center (free with Garden admission). With 60 pieces of original artwork in watercolor, graphite, colored pencil as well as pen and ink this show will delight admirers of both plants and art.
Podcast Listen to Paul Licht's complete interview with Catherine Watters. Born and raised in Paris, where her love of art began, Watters is a botanical artist who paints in watercolor on paper and vellum. She shows her work in several juried and invitational exhibitions each year, most recently at The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation in Pitttsburgh, PA, The Horticultural Society of New York, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the San Francisco Botanical Garden and Filoli.
Botanical Art Note Cards Take home a little piece of Plants Illustrated by purchasing note cards featuring botanical illustrations from the exhibit. These beautiful cards are a Garden exclusive and include the Garden logo on the back. Thank you to artists Leah Kaizer and Eliza K. Jewett for adding their graceful images to our set of cards. All proceeds from card sales benefit the Garden.
Botanical Art Classes The Garden will offer six botanical art classes in 2011. Reserve your place now in these popular classes. Check the Garden Calendar for details.
Introduction To Botanical Art with Catherine Watters Saturday & Sunday, February 12 & 13, 2011 10 am - 4 pm
Exploring Plants Through Drawing with Lee McCaffree Friday, March 4, 2011 & Friday, April 1, 2011 10 am - 4 pm
Botanical Art: The Rose with Lee McCaffree Monday & Tuesday, May 9 & 10, 2011 10 am - 4 pm
Introduction To Botanical Art with Catherine Watters Wednesday & Thursday, July 6 & 7, 2011 10 am - 4 pm
Painting Apples, Pears & Quince with Catherine Watters Friday, September 16, 2011 10 am - 4 pm
Autumn Art Class with Lee McCaffree Sunday, November 6,2011 10 am - 4 pm
Banner photo: Detail from Echeveria x imbricata by Leah Kaizer.
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Chilean Bellflower (Lapageria rosea)
| A revered climbing vine, yet scarcely offered in cultivation, Lapageria rosea deserves to grow in everyone's temperate garden. Upheld for the beauty its deeply red lily-shaped flowers offer as ornament to the rain forests of its native Chile, it is honored there as the national flower. Its three to four inch flowers, borne from summer to early winter, possess a distinctive thick waxy cuticle, and hang like red to rose bells from the upper leaf axils. Variants with denser waxier
| Lapageria rosea by Catherine Watters | texture are sought for their esteemed quality. As an evergreen climber with deep green leathery leaves on wiry vines that twine up to 15 feet in cultivation, longer yet in the wild, it twines vertically at first, and then takes on a horizontal pattern. It grows upwards, its free end arching, and circling, as John Smith of Kew Gardens, in Curtis's Botanical Magazine points out, in a clockwise direction in its search for support.
While few areas of the world mimic the temperate maritime weather of its native soil so as to support this plant's needs, our coastal California climate does. Situated geographically along the western coast ofSouth America between 30 and 45 degrees of latitude, its native conditions to some degree mirror our northern hemisphere locale, situated at similar latitude, with seasons reversed. The cold current that runs from Antarctica up the South American coast north to Chile finds its companion here along our California coast. Marked by warm, dry summers moderated along the coast by fog spill-off from cold ocean currents traveling south, the Chilean bellflower, or 'Copihue', thrives in the Bay Area home garden where it can readily be grown out of doors.
Propagator's Choice by Bryan Gim The Chilean bellflower, Lapageria rosea, is a rare and beautiful flowering vine. The 4 inch long succulent flowers appear in late summer and fall. They are usually rose-pink color but are available in a range of creams, whites, pinks and reds. Hardy to around 15-20 F, they prefer bright shade in a rich, well-drained soil with regular irrigation. Lapageria are available on the plant deck in one gallon pots that start at $25.00.
I'm leading a tour of the Arid House on January 20. This is a rare opportunity for visitors to go behind the scenes and view this unique and valuable collection closely. As the horticulturist for the Arid House I'm looking forward to helping guests explore and become acquainted with plants like the Welwitschia mirabilis and our extensive collection of Lithops, the living stone of the South African and Namibian deserts. Our monthly horticultural walks are limited to 20 people and fill up quickly so make your reservations early. See you on the tour!
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Just for Members
| The Art of Membership Let the Garden be the perfect place to renew your creative energy. This January the Garden's Plants Illustrated exhibition and botanical art workshops bring even more inspired beauty to your Garden visits. When you become a member at the Individual level and above you will be able to enjoy exclusive botanical illustration events and discounted botanical art classes. And, of course, members always enjoy free Garden admission throughout the year! To celebrate the second annual Plants Illustrated exhibition the Garden offers a rich program of activities and events designed to illuminate the interplay between the creative visions of both scientific study and art practice. You won't want to miss your opportunity to meet and mingle with the artists of Plants Illustrated at our Members-only Reception on January 15.
The Botanical Garden truly is a living museum and because of your membership support the Garden can continue to inspire, educate and inform for years to come. It's easier than ever to join! Visit the Garden website and purchase your membership or a gift membership today. Don't forget, membership purchases at a $65 or above level receive a 12-month Martha Stewart Living Magazine subscription - free!
| Echeveria x imbricata by Leah Kaizer |
Free For Members in JanuaryArtists & Members Reception for Plants Illustrated, Saturday, January 15, 2 - 5 pm. The reception is limited to card-holding members only please (no guests). Parking will be very limited. Please carpool. Thank you to our exhibit sponsors Teacake Bake Shop and Artesa Vineyards. Arid House Walk: led by Horticulturist Bryan Gim, January 20, 1-2:30 p.m. Five Ways to JoinOnlineOn-Site: Stop by the Garden Kiosk Phone: 510-643-2755 x0 FAX: 510-642-3012 Mail: 200 Centennial Dr � Berkeley � CA 94720
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Programs and Events
| There is no Sick Plant Clinic in January. The Clinic returns February 5, 2011.
Garden Strollers
Wednesday, January 12, 11 - 11:45 am
Join Molly Bolt, Botanical Garden docent and mom with her son Rowan, on this special tour of the Garden for parents with their children under 3 years old. This 45 minute tour will guide you around the Garden and end on the lawn for gentle play and snacks (bring your own). While geared towards the adults, understanding accommodations are made for diaper changes and enthusiastic kids. Children must be in a stroller or carrier for the tour portion.
Free with Garden Admission
| Fremontodendron californicum by Eliza K. Jewett |
Plants Illustrated Exhibit
Saturday, January 8- 28, 10 am - 4 pm
Over 50 original artworks in watercolor, graphite, colored pencil and pen & ink. The exhibition will be closed to the public for the Opening Reception on Saturday, January 15, 2 -5 pm and also on MLK Day, January 17
Free with Garden Admission
Botanical Art Through the Ages
Saturday, January 20, 2 - 3:30pm
Join artist Catherine Watters for an in-depth look at the rich history of botanical art.Note: other local venues are charging $75 for this Watters art talk.
Free with Garden Admission
Plants Illustrated Exhibition Opening Reception Saturday, January 15, 2 - 5 pm
Members are invited to meet and mingle with the artists of Plants Illustrated while enjoying tasty refreshments from Teacake Bake Shop and Artesa Vineyards. The reception is limited to card-holding members only please (no guests). Parking will be very limited. Please carpool.
Members only; Free
Horticultural Walk: The Arid House Thursday, January 20, 1 - 2:30 pm
| Abutilon by Diana Treter (detail) |
Join Horticulturist Bryan Gim on this special tour through the Garden's Arid House.
Space is limited, registration required
Free for members; $10 public
Winter Bird Walk Saturday, January 22, 9 - 10:30 am Winter is a surprisingly active time for birds in the Garden. Join Chris Carmichael, Associate Director of Collections and Research and Phila Rogers for this lovely morning walk through the Garden.
Space is limited, registration required $20, $15 members
Floral Felt Pin Workshop
Sunday, January 30, 11 am - 2 pm Join GoGo Craft and the Botanical Garden for a fun "crafternoon." Learn to make your own gorgeous felt flower pin inspired by the Garden's diverse and colorful collection Space is limited, registration required $20, $15 UCBG members, UC staff, students and faculty
| Ananas comosus by Catherine Watters |
Coming in February:
Introduction to Botanical Art Saturday and Sunday, February 12 & 13, 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 artist Catherine Watters. No experience necessary, anyone can do this class! $160, $150 members, 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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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 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: - UC Garden Clippings: This is a monthly newsletter featuring garden events and stories.
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Editor: Vanessa Crews, [email protected], 510-643-2937
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