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UC Garden Clippings

University of California Botanical Garden

June 2012 - Vol 4, Issue 12

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Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden
25th Anniversary

Professor Xu Hong-hua
Professor Xu Hong-hua with the 2,600 pound engraved marble tablet, shipped to Berkeley from Guangzhou to commemorate the dedication of the Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden.

The Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden is a special collection of over 100 plants used in traditional Chinese Medicine. This collection was initiated in 1986 when administrators of the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco asked if we would be willing to devote a place for this display so that their students would be able to see the whole plant growing instead of just the dried part used in medicine. In 1987 Professor Xu Hong-hua of the Guangzhou College spent six months in Berkeley designing the garden and supervising its installation.

 

Medicinal herb gardens are common at medical colleges in China, but this collection was the first U.S. medicinal garden arranged by function group. Many of these function groups have equivalent descriptions in Western terms: for example, herbs for promoting the flow of water are primarily diuretics and clearing heat herbs are good for fever conditions. Visitors are invited to wander the paths of this charming garden installation adjacent to the lawn and view the labels identifying the plants and their functions in Chinese Medicine. Enhance your visit by visiting our new webpage for details or viewing the Chinese medicinal Herb Garden brochure printed in English or Chinese.

 

Click HERE for more information about the Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden and to view our slideshow. 

 


Members' Horticultural Walk:
Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden
Thursday | June 28 | 1 - 2:30 pm
Celebrate the launch of the Garden's new Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden brochure by taking a tour of this special collection with Horticulturist Elaine Sedlack. This collection features over 100 herbs used in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Medicinal herb gardens are common at medical colleges in China, but this collection is the only medicinal garden arranged by function group in the U.S. Free. Members only. Registration required. Call 510-643-2755

Iris domestica
Iris domestica | Photo by Tom Murphy VII

Propagator's Choice

Blackberry Lily | Iris domestica  

(Syn.: Belamcanda chinensis)

 

The blackberry lily is in the Iris family. It has rhizomatous roots and iris-like fans of foliage. The red-spotted, orange flowers are followed by clusters of glossy black seeds which resemble blackberry fruit. Native to China and Japan, it has long been used medicinally to treat a variety of ailments related to inflammations of the throat and upper respiratory tract such as laryngitis, tonsillitis, cough and asthma. It is hardy in the Bay Area, grows to 3' tall,  

and requires moderate water. We have 1 gallon  pots for $8.00.

 

 


Free Admission for a year
Become a member and enjoy free admission year round!  

Onion flower
Allium fistulosum  
Photo by Melanie Hofmann
Garden membership - which comes with many benefits-including free admission, discounts, member-only invitations and much more-is a brilliant way to show your support for the Garden. With an exciting, constantly changing collection of seasonal treasures, the Garden is a great place to bring the whole family throughout the year. Summer at the Garden offers many extra delights! Members will enjoy exclusive members-only horticulture walks, discounted Redwood Grove concert tickets, and special evening tours. For a limited time when you join at any level you will also receive a free subscription to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. We offer many different levels of membership - there's sure to be one that suits your ability to give!

Join or renew today and enjoy a serene and sunny summer in the Garden!


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

Membership questions: Suzanne Field, 510.643.1924 or [email protected].


The Garden Shop
The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm by Peg Schafer

Since its release in November of 2011, The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm by Peg Schafer has been

chinese medicinal farm

critically acclaimed. This book not only offers detailed information about Chinese herbs, it also addresses sustainability, organic cultivation and gardening practices. The author is from Sonoma County. Elaine Sedlack, the UCBG horticulturist who maintains Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden, recommends this book.

 

Note: UCBG and Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm are not responsible for the misuse of herbs.  

Please consult your healthcare practitioner before taking any medicinal herb.

 

The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm (paperback): $34.95

 

Proceeds from The Garden Shop sales benefit the Garden.

 

Concert banner
ALL SHOWSRVSQ 
Thursdays 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Redwood Grove door opens: 5:00 pm
 

Ticket includes admission to the Garden before 4:30 pm.
 

Space is limited an
d we expect some shows to sell out early.

BYO picnic, drinks, and warm clothing (it may get chilly).

 

Enjoy the entire concert season for just $120.

Register online in advance for best pricing.

Real Vocal String Quartet and Nice Guy Trio

Thursday | June 14 | 5:30 pm

Our summer concert series kicks off with a night of innovative, virtuosic, world, roots and  

chamber music!  Register online! 

Doors at 5:00; show at 5:30. Tickets required: $15, $12 members; Youth $5; Under 5 free

 

Earl Brothers and Walking in Sunlight

Thursday | June 21 | 5:30 pm

Outlaw vs. lyrical: Two takes on Bluegrass. Register online! 

Doors at 5:00; show at 5:30. Tickets required: $12, $10 members; Youth $5; Under 5 free

 

Shake Your Peace! + LoCura

Thursday | June 28 | 5:30 pm

Exuberant multicultural dance music. Register online! 

Doors at 5:00; show at 5:30. Tickets required: $12, $10 members; Youth $5; Under 5 free  

 

Ticket prices range between $5 - $20/concert
Enjoy the entire concert season for just $120
Purchase your tickets in advance (online) and save!
Check HERE for concert details & updates  


In the Garden
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. Email [email protected] for reservations or program questions.

Bees Explained at the Observation Hive

Sunday | June 10 | 2-3:30 pm

Join the Garden and one of our experts as we reveal what's going on behind the door to our observation hive located inside the Tropical House. Find the queen and her court. Identify larvae, eggs and honey in the comb and understand the roles of bees.  

Free with Garden admission. Registration not required.

 

Introduction to Urban Beekeeping with Her Majesty's Secret Beekeeper

Sunday | June 10 | 11am - 1 pm

Interested in keeping bees but don't know where to start? Join local urban beekeeper Bryon Waibel of San Francisco's Her Majesty's Secret Beekeeper for an informative beekeeping basics workshop. In this introductory beekeeping course topics will include: bees and the law, basic bee biology, choosing and siting a hive, and maintaining a hive. Honey tasting included!  

Advance registration required; $50, $45 members, $40 students. Register online! 

 

Honey Tasting

Sunday | June 10 | 1 - 2 pm

Join the Garden and local urban beekeeper Bryon Waibel of San Francisco's Her Majesty's Secret Beekeeper for an informal honey-tasting. Don't miss this sweet opportunity!  

Advance registration required; $8, $5 members. Register online! 

 

Life After Lawn: Toward a New American Front Yard

Friday | June 15 | 10 am - noon Learn about exciting and regionally appropriate lawn alternatives. Join Anthony Garza, Supervisor of Horticulture & Grounds, for this presentation and discussion about how to get started, planning for success, using great grasses and grass-like plants in different settings, and tackling maintenance.
Advance registration required; $12, $8 members. Register online!

 

Butterfly Walk

Tuesday | June 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.  

Space is limited. Children welcome. Free with Garden admission. Register online! 

 

Members' Walk: Crops of the World Garden

Tuesday | June 26 | 1 - 2:30 pm

Join Horticulturist Colin Baxter on an exploration of the Crops of the World Garden. Colin will discuss the origins of most common "homegrown" vegetables, soil, composting, watering, seed sowing, seed saving and insect management.
Advance registration required; members only; free. Register online!

 

Members' Walk: Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden

Thursday | June 28 | 1 - 2:30 pm

Celebrate the launch of the Garden's new Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden brochure by taking a tour of this special collection with Horticulturist Elaine Sedlack. This collection features over 100 herbs used in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Medicinal herb gardens are common at medical colleges in China, but this collection is the only medicinal garden arranged by function group in the U.S.  

Advance registration required; members only; free. Register online! 

 

 


Save the Date!
Natural Discourse Exhibition
Starting July 14, 2012
A collaboration between the Garden and a distinguished group of artists, writers and researchers. Curated by Mary Anne Friel and Shirley Watts.
Participating artists include: Mary Anne Friel, Todd Gilens, Nadia Hironaka, Andrew Kudless, Denise Newman, Deborah O'Grady, Ronald Rael, Virginia San Fratello, Matt Suib, Shirley Alexander Watts, Hazel White, Gail Wight, Nami Yamamoto. 
Click HERE for more information 

 

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