banner Mar 2011
UC Garden Clippings

University of California Botanical Garden

March  2011 - Vol 3, Issue 9
In This Issue
March in the Garden
Private Life of newts
Propagator's Choice
Conservation
Just for Members
Green Stuff Summer Camp
The Garden Shop
Green Gala
Programs & Events

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March in the Garden: Plant Safari
Come walk the Karoo, stroll the Fynbos and discover the plants of the Cape region in the Southern African Area of the UC Botanical Garden. This is the perfect time to see the mediterranean-climate flora of the Cape region. Plants from the Cape region are well-suited to conditions in California gardens (with the right kind of soil) and have become popular in horticulture.

The Garden's collection is especially significant because most of the plants were wild-collected from seed in known localities and include many rare and unusual species. Southern Africa boasts an astounding diversity of plant species but many are critically endangered. A large number of southern African plants are of ethnobotanical importance. Demand for medicinal plants from the wild is one of the pressures that threatens species with extinction.

ferraria crispa
Ferraria crispa
Meghan Ray, horticulturist for the collection, suggests March visitors search carefully for bulbs blooming in rock crevices. Some of her favorite bulbs include Ferraria, grown for their unusual colors and bizarre markings. These corms are pollinated by flies and the markings and odors often resemble rotting flesh. Not every Ferraria smells like meat though, some have a delightful vanilla-like fragrance.

"This collection has an ephemeral beauty where there's something new to see every day," states Ray. Experience this collection with Ray on March 17 or take a virtual walk with our panorama.


Horticultural Walk: Southern African Area
Thursday, March 17, 1 pm
Members Free, $10 Public. Registration required.


Banner photo: Ferraria crispa

Explore the Private Life of the Garden's Newts
newtThe 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 March including a podcast with Garden Director Paul Licht. 

Newt Walk with Garden Director Paul Licht

Thursday, March 10, 1 - 2 pm
After 40 years as a zoologist, Director Paul Licht discovered plants, but this deep knowledge and love for animals continues in the Garden--an oasis for many wonderful creatures. Come visit the Japanese Pool with Paul where the newts are having all kinds of fun. Paul will net a newt or two for a close-up look, while explaining the newt's life- cycle and habitat.
Members only, free. Registration required. Space is limited to 12 participants, register quickly.
 
newt

Saturday Newt

Saturday, March 5, 2 - 3 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.

 

Galpin's Leucadendron

 

Propagator's Choice by Bryan Gim

Galpin's leucadendron, Leucadendron galpinii is a lovely South African member of the Protea family. It is an upright evergreen shrub that grows to 6-7 feet tall and about 5 feeLeucadendron galpiniit wide. It has soft, narrow silver twisted leaves and flowers borne on cone-like structures in winter-spring-summer. Scented male flowers are smaller than the female flowers. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. Apply average water. It is hardy to about 20-25� F. It's a wonderful and durable plant in the garden and the foliage and flowering cones are great in flower arrangements. We are offering 1 gallon pots of this gem for $15.00.


Save the Date! 2011 Spring Plant Sale

After the wonderful season of rain...

its time to redo your garden!

 

Members' Preview and Silent Auction:

Friday, April 29, 5 - 7:30 pm

 

Public Sale: Saturday, April 30, 10 am - 2 pm




Conservation
delphinium bakeri

by Holly Forbes, Curator

Garden staff Holly Forbes & Barbara Keller were assisted by volunteers Nicolas Cabrera-Schneider and January Ruck in planting out 100 Baker's larkspurs (Delphinium bakeri) in Marin County in January. We collaborated with staff from the Marin Municipal Water District and US Fish & Wildlife Service for this project. Two new sites were added to MMWD lands and the rest were used to augment a population started in January 2010. These plants were grown in the Garden's nursery for several years, during which seeds were collected from each individual.

San Mateo Thornmint (Acanthomintha duttonii) was given another boost in December 2010 when Garden staff, in collaboration with the Creekside Center for Earth Observation, sowed 9,000 seeds into the only known site for this species. Recent reports show 25% germination to date at Edgewood County Park and Natural Preserve near Redwood City. Nearly 200 hundred pots in our nursery were also sown in late 2010 and are showing good germination. These will be used for additional seed production. The San Francisco PUC has given approval for an attempt to establish a second population on their property on Pulgas Ridge.

Just for Members

by Suzanne Field, Membership and Program Manager

welcome wagonWe love our new members! On Sunday, March 20 we're rolling out the Welcome Wagon to greet all our newest members and everyone that has joined the Garden over the past year.  As a thank-you for joining the Garden family we are officially celebrating your contribution. New members are invited to join us at 10 am on Sunday, March 20 for morning treats, followed by a Garden introduction from Garden Director, Paul Licht. At 11 am we'll take a special new member docent-led tour of the Garden. The new members' Welcome Wagon is a wonderful way to learn more about the Garden, its exciting programs, rich history and the many ways to become involved, as well as meeting fellow horticulture lovers and enthusiasts and to learn more about the Garden.

Groupon members are especially encouraged to hop on the Welcome Wagon and learn more about the Garden. You can even activate your membership on the spot! To RSVP for this event or for further information please contact Suzanne at 510.643.1924 or [email protected].


Reserve Now for Free Member Walks in March
Southern African Area: March 17, 1 pm
Newts: March 10: 1 pm


Free for Garden Members

Nature's Beloved Son: Rediscovering John Muir's Botanical Legacy

As a special offer to our members, the Bedford Gallery is giving free admission to UCBG members during the run of Nature's Beloved Son: Rediscovering John Muir's Botanical Legacy.

Present your current Garden membership card and receive free admission to this unique exhibition of Muir's botanical ephemera. The exhibition includes high-resolution images of Muir's plant specimens on large format canvas and paper prints, allowing the exploration of the structures, patterns, and anatomies of the plant world, as well as historic images, and pages and drawings from Muir's journals. John Muir was a botanist throughout his life and his fondness for the nature and beauty of plants contributed significantly to his understanding of the need to preserve wildernessMuir exhibit. Several hundred plant specimens were scanned at herbaria throughout North America and digitally enhanced by Pleasant Hill photographer Stephen J. Joseph. The exhibit was guest curated by Bonnie Gisel.

The Bedford Gallery is a contemporary art space located on the first floor of the Lesher Center for the Arts at 1601 Civic Drive in downtown Walnut Creek, four blocks south of the Walnut Creek BART station. There is a public garage adjacent to the Center as well as metered street parking.

Visit their website to learn more about the Bedford Gallery and the Lesher Center for the Arts. Not a Garden member? Join today!


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

Green Stuff Summer Camp

This summer science day-camp has been a Berkeley favorite for generations.  Children explore our amazing collection of plants from around the world through walks and creek discoveries, hands-on investigations, journaling, crafts, and edible gardening.

Monday - Friday; 9 am - 2 pm
$210 per week or $195 w/ Family Membership
Weeks grouped by age: 5-7 yr olds, 8-10 yr olds

 Visit our website  for enrollment information.

The Garden Shop
Handbook of Natural Dyes

by Carol Bassett, Garden Volunteer


Soon to be in the Garden Shop is a new and beautiful book on dye craft written by Sasha Duerr, called The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes: Personalize Your Craft with Organic Colors from Acorns, Blackberries, Coffee, and Other Everyday Ingredients. Ms. Duerr is an artist and designer. Her book begins with an introduction on dyeing with plants and continues with chapters: Plant Dyeing Basics, Cooking with Color, Harvesting Hues, A Plant Palette and closes with the chapter, The Joy of Slow Textiles.

Each chapter is filled with lovely photographs and line drawings of the plants used to make the dyes and the colors each plant produces. The reader is taught that by having a close relationship with nature, she/he can create lovely dyed textiles. Equipment, workspace, successful material for dyeing, and various methods of dyeing are explained in detail. The chapter, The Joy of Slow Textiles, will inspire the reader to reach out with ecoliteracy to create his/her own dye garden for making beautifully dyed textiles. Also, please remember to attend the Garden Garments Opening Reception, Workshop and Book Release of Ms. Duerr's new book on Saturday March 19 from 1 to 4 pm at UCBG to learn more about natural dyes.


Sasha DuerrGarden Garments:  

Opening Reception, Workshop and Book Release 

Saturday, March 19, 1 - 4 pm
Learn to dye with creative alternative sources of natural plant dyes from your very own garden, or even urban sidewalk, with Sasha Duerr, textile designer and founder of Permacouture Institute. Create a surprising array of colors for a garden dyers sample book and artistically dye a plant colored and patterned textile to take home with you! Sasha will be speaking from her new book, The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes: Personalize Your Craft with Organic Colors from Acorns, Blackberries, Coffee, and Other Everyday Ingredients.
$25, $20 members; Registration required. Books available for purchase.


Garden Shop and Plant Deck Volunteers Needed!

Do you like plants and botanically themed books and gifts? Do you enjoy working with the public? Do you want to support the UC Botanical Garden? Come and volunteer in The Garden Shop! Volunteers sell gifts, plants, and books; greet visitors and provide information about the Garden. The Garden Shop generates much-needed revenue for the Garden. Contact Perry Hall for more information.

Green Gala

green gala 2011 logo 

We are excited to announce that our summer fundraiser, Green Gala, will be held on Saturday, June 18 and will feature a unique show this year. A select group of local designers have been challenged to create original textile pieces for this event that are directly inspired from the Garden's extraordinary collection. Visit our Green Gala blog to see postings as their work develops and for more information as we approach this very special fundraiser event. The 2011 fashion show is coordinated by Sasha Duerr  (pictured above). 

 

Programs & Events

Sick Plant Clinic

Saturday, March 5, 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 too! Please cover plants and disease samples in containers or bags before entering the Garden.
Free

Saturday Newt  

Saturday, March 5, 2 - 3 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.

Garden Strollers

Wednesday March 9, 11 - 11:45 am
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).
Free with Garden admission. Reservations requested.

The Private Life of Newts with Garden Director Paul Licht 

Thursday, March 10, 1 - 2 pm
After 40 years as a zoologist, Director Paul Licht discovered plants, but this deep knowledge and love for animals continues in the Garden--an oasis for many wonderful creatures. Come visit the Japanese Pool with Paul where the newts are having all kinds of fun. Paul will net a newt or two for a close-up look, while explaining the newt's life- cycle and habitat.
Members only. Free. Registration required.

 


Sustainable Home Horticulture:  Wiggling, Squirming and Hungry  

Saturday, March 12, 9 am - noon
wormsLearn how to meet the needs of your garden and your lifestyle. Join us for DIY-steeped morning of composting basics. This session will introduce you to compost tea and vermi-composting techniques.
Horticulturists Anthony Garza and Dylan Ferreira will show you how to take advantage of compost for multiple beneficial applications at home. Click here to see a 70 second video of the Garden's worm arrival.
$25, $20 members; Registration required.


Horticultural Walk: Southern Africa 

Thursday, March 17, 1 pm
Spring is always an exciting time in the UC Botanical Garden and one that ends much too soon. After the winter rains, early annuals and spring flowering bulbs fill the Southern African Area with color. Come and see the floral display in full bloom before it is gone for another year with horticulturist for Southern Africa, Cycads and Palms Meghan Ray.
Members free, $10 public. Registration required.

Garden Garments: Opening Reception, Workshop and Book Release 

Saturday, March 19, 1 - 4 pm
Learn to dye with creative alternative sources of natural plant dyes from your very own garden, or even urban sidewalk, with Sasha Duerr, textile designer and founder of Permacouture Institute. Create a surprising array of colors for a garden dyers sample book and artistically dye a plant colored and patterned textile to take home with you! Sasha will be speaking from her new book, The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes: Personalize Your Craft with Organic Colors from Acorns, Blackberries, Coffee, and Other Everyday Ingredients.
$25, $20 members; Registration required. Books available for purchase

New Member Welcome Wagon 

Sunday, March 20, 10 am
Join us in the Conference Center for morning coffee and treats and a welcome by Director Paul Licht. Docent tours will follow at 11 am.
Free for new members. Reservations to [email protected].

   


Fiber Exhibit

Fiber and Dye Exhibition

March 19 - April 3, 10 am - 4 pm Collaborating with the California College of the Arts (CCA) and the Permacouture Institute, the Garden's Education Coordinator, Christine Manoux, is creating an exhibition celebrating fiber & dye traditions from around the world. Cotton, linen, and other natural fibers such as bamboo, hemp, soya, abaca and pina (pineapple) provide a multitude of material options for textiles. From basket weaving to denim jeans, plants have allowed for both utility and beauty in our everyday lives. There will be materials that you can see, a display of the process from seed to garment, and a display of edible dye plants. The core of the exhibit is a self-guided walk of fiber & dye plants through the Garden. Maps will be available at the exhibit.
View a panorama of the exhibit.
Free with Garden admission.


pipevine swallowtails

Butterfly Walk

Tuesday, March 22, 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. Registration required.

Felting with Plant Dyed Wool for Kids 

Sunday March 27, 1 -2 pm
Learn how to make a beautiful felted textile with plant dyed wools from Thirteen Mile Lamb and Wool, using a wet-felting technique. For ages 6 and up.
$20, $15 members; price includes one adult and one child.
$10 each additional child or adult per family.
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.


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 five 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.
  • 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.
  • Botanical Art: You''ll receive exclusive information about classes and exhibitions.
     
Editor: Vanessa Crews, [email protected], 510-643-2937