banner 2 dec 2011

UC Garden Clippings

University of California Botanical Garden

December 2011 - Vol 4, Issue 6
In This Issue
December in the Garden
Propagator's Choice
Fungus, Fungi and Fungal
The Garden Shop
Garden Membership
Garden Programs
We'll Be Closed

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December in the Garden  

Pictured in the banner: Tsuga canadensis.

 

Conifers in the Garden 

Conifers have captured our imagination since ancient times. They played a role in winter solstice traditions of the ancient Celts and Druids. These trees were thought to hold magical powers and their boughs were often used to decorate homes to ward off evil. Our traditions may have changed, but winter remains an opportune time to learn about these magnificent trees.

 


pinus densiflora 
Pinus densiflora by Melanie Hofmann

The oldest living plant accession in the Garden is a conifer. Planted in 1928, Afrocarpus gracilior is found in the Southern African Area.

The seeds of conifers are born in cones, not flowers. Conifers produce both male and female cones. Female cones are what we typically associate as conifer cones, while the pollen-bearing male cones are rather inconspicuous.

Conifers are found in all of our geographic collections. In addition to the familiar redwoods, pines and cypresses, the collection contains unusual and endangered species from around the world.

 


Members' Horticultural Walk: Conifers to Caryota
Pinus contorta
Pinus contorta by Melanie Hofmann
Thursday | December 15 | 1 - 2:30 PM
Associate Director of Collections and Horticulture Chris Carmichael will lead a walking tour of the Garden's collection. He will focus on conifers, and also highlight some of his favorite plants, including the glorious fishtail palm (Caryota).
Free. Members only. Registration required. 510-643-2755

Evergreen Wreaths and Garlands
Wednesday | December 7 | 6 - 9 PM
Create a beautiful and festive wreath or garland to add to your holiday decorations. Greens from the Garden and other materials are included, but be sure to bring your own hand pruners.
$30, $25 members. Registration required. 510-643-2755

 Learn more about the Garden's conifers in this slideshow.




Support the Garden
with a year-end tax deductible gift.


Thank you!

 
Propagator's Choice
 
Give Green this Year
succulent frame
by Bryan Gim, Volunteer Propagation Coordinator & Horticulturist

We have a green solution to your gift-giving dilemma. Browse our great selection of plants and plant-related gifts to delight your loved ones this season. Choose from succulent-filled vertical gardens, dish gardens, mini-topiaries, lovely driftwood-mounted air-plants, holiday-inspired terrarium ornaments, and much more. We have a great selection of unusual houseplants. Decorate your table with a centerpiece made of living plants; it's festive and it will give you lasting pleasure. Instead of the bottle of wine or box of chocolates, give your host or hostess a plant from the UC Botanical Garden. Visit the Plant Deck and The Garden Shop to find your inspiration.

 

Fungus, Fungi and Fungal
A Celebration of Wild Mushrooms:
42nd Annual Fungus Fair
Saturday and Sunday | December 3 - 4 fungus for LHS| 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Get up close to hundreds of wild mushrooms at the 42nd annual Fungus Fair, being held this year at the Lawrence Hall of Science.

Garden members can visit the Lawrence Hall of Science (including the Fungus Fair) throughout December for just $4!
Be sure to bring your membership card for the $4 price.

Join the Garden!

back to the roots



Go Fungal! Grow Fungi!
Saturday | December 3 | 2 - 3 pm | UC Botanical Garden
Cal grads and urban mushroom farmers Alejandro Velez & Nikhil Arora of Oakland's Back to the Roots present at the Garden. Come find out how as Cal students Alejandro & Nikhi turned a quirky experiment in a fraternity kitchen into a thriving green business. They'll teach you how to create a Grow-Your-Own Mushroom Garden that produces up to 1 lb of gourmet mushrooms in as little as 10 days. Kits will be available for purchase!
Registration required; $10, $7 members, UCB students, staff & faculty

 

The Garden Shop
lapageria rosea by watters
Lapageria rosea by Catherine M. Watters

Gorgeous Gifts from the Garden Holiday Soiree

Friday December 9 | 4 - 8 pm

10% off everything in The Garden Shop

20% off for Members

30% off for Volunteers with a Membership

Enjoy holiday refreshments and entertainment.
Shop for plants, books, and artisanal gifts
from local sources. Receive a special gift with the purchase of a membership valued at $65 or more at this event.

 

Members Only

 

The Gift of Garden Membership  

By Suzanne Field, Membership & Program Manager

 

A membership to the Garden makes a perfect gift this holiday season! Gift memberships are a delightful and easy way to help support the Garden's collection, programs and exhibits. It's a gift filled with opportunities to create memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. How can we make this an even more perfect gift? By giving you the chance to give it twice!

 

 

douglas fir cones
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
This December when you buy a gift membership you will receive a second gift  membership - for FREE!*

This December use your Garden membership card to visit the
Lawrence Hall of Science for just $4. Treat a child to Dinosaurs Unearthed

 

Garden membership lasts a full year and compliments the recipient while supporting one of the finest and most diverse plant collections in the world. Benefits include free admission, 10% off in the Garden Shop, discounts at local nurseries, reciprocal admission at over 200 participating gardens and invitations to exclusive members-only events, and savings on classes and programs. Garden membership makes a truly unique gift that inspires and enriches the whole year through!

 

Enhance your Garden experience by joining a walk, tour, class or other event offered throughout the year. Please join us for our Gorgeous Gifts from the Garden Holiday Soiree on December 9 from 4 - 8 pm. The night will include extended shopping hours, extra discounts, and feature handmade gift items. Guests will enjoy seasonal treats and festive entertainment at this special holiday event.

 

*Gift Recipient must not be a current member.

 

Second gift is of the same membership level or lower. Offer is only valid for Individual and Family memberships. Offer valid through December 16, 2011.

 

 


Write  [email protected]  with questions or phone 510-643-1924.

 

Garden Programs

December Programs

 

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.

 

 

Sick Plant Clinic 

Saturday | December 3 | 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 cover plants and disease samples in containers or bags before entering the Garden.

No reservation required: free

  

Back to the Roots   

Saturday | December 3 | 2 - 3 pm
Urban mushroom farmers Alejandro Velez & Nikhil Arora of Oakland's Back to the Roots use spent coffee grounds from local cafes as the soil for delicious mushrooms. Come find out how these Cal students turned a quirky experiment in a fraternity kitchen into a grant from the UC Berkeley Chancellor for social innovation and collaborations with Whole Foods & Chez Panisse. Alejandro & Nikhi will be on hand to share their inspired idea of turning waste into wages and fresh, local food. They'll also teach you how to create a Grow-Your-Own Mushroom Garden that produces up to 1 lb of gourmet mushrooms in as little as 10 days. Kits will be available for purchase!   

Registration required; $10, $7 members, UCB students, staff & faculty

 

evergreen wreathEvergreen Wreaths and Garlands
Wednesday | December 7 | 6 - 9 pm
Create a beautiful and festive wreath or garland to add to your holiday decorations. Greens from the Garden and other materials are included, but be sure to bring your own hand pruners.   

Registration required; $30, $25 members

 

Gorgeous Gifts from the Garden Holiday Soiree
Friday | December 9 | 4 - 8 pm
You're invited to join the Garden for a special after-hours holiday affair. From the sublimely simple to the ultra-chic there is sure to be a plant or Garden-inspired gift item to delight everyone on your holiday gift-giving list. Add tasty seasonal refreshments and extra discounts and the evening is complete! While you're here, don't forget to pick up a plant for yourself or a gift membership for someone special.   

The event is free and fabulous!

 

olive oil soapHandmade Olive Oil Soaps
Sunday December 11 | 1-3 pm
Kathleen Elliot of the Hillcrest Olive Ranch will instruct students on how to make one-of-a-kind olive oil soaps from freshly harvested olives.   

 Registration required; $25, $20 members

 

From Conifers to Caryota: Member's Walk
Thursday | December 15 | 1 - 2:30 pm
Associate Director of Collections and Horticulture Chris Carmichael will lead a walking tour of the Garden's collection. He will focus on conifers, and also highlight some of his favorite plants, including the glorious fishtail palm (Caryota).
Registration required; members only; free


Handmade for the Holidays Family Workshop
Saturday | December 17 | 11 am -1 pm
Join the Garden for this family program as we create gifts and festive decorations inspired by the Garden's diverse collection of plants. Materials & snacks provided!   

Children must be accompanied by an adult; $10 per person, $8 members 


olive curingMaking Local, Traditional Brine-fermented Olives
Sunday | December 18 | 1 - 5 pm
Discover the joy of brining your own olives! Join the Garden as we learn the process from harvest to milling from brining to cooking. Participants pack and bring home a jar of olives in an organic brine.

Led by Kathleen Elliot, owner of the Hillcrest Olive Ranch in Sunol, CA.   

Registration required; $40, $35 members

 

Makin' Mead
Saturday January 7 | 2 - 4 pm
Join the Garden and Robert MacKimmie of City Bees as we turn honey into wine! Participants will mix their gallon of mead under Robert's ever-watchful eye, ensuring delicious results. The class will also present more advanced recipes for cyser (apple and honey wine) and melomel (fruit and honey). There will be plenty of samples to try, and everyone will go home with recipes, as well as a gallon jug of mead to ferment at home.   

Registration required; $50, $45 members. Space is limited!

 

 

 

We'll Be Closed

Holiday Closings
Tuesday | December 6 | regular first closed Tuesday
Saturday | December 24 | Christmas Eve
Sunday | December 25 | Christmas Day
Thursday | December 29 | University Holiday
Friday | December 30 | University Holiday
Saturday | December 31 | New Year's Eve
Sunday | January 1 | New Year's Day
Tuesday | January 3 | regular first closed Tuesday

The Garden will be OPEN December 26 - 28.

Check the Garden Calendar for scheduled programs and tours.


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