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Dear Garden Friends,
For all intents and purposes, spring is here! It means that it's time to get off of the sofa and back into my garden. The temps are still cool and the soil moist so it's still
a great time to plant some of the goodies I had bought over the winter. This year I am putting in a small California native rock garden. I am still working on the design and rockwork but here are a few of the plants I am using. We have these and many more on the Plant Deck. Get off of the couch and start your spring now.
Happy gardening,
 Bryan Gim Coordinator of Volunteer Propagation Program & Horticulturist
PS: Save the date for our Spring Plant Sale! Join us next month for our annual Spring Plant sale: Friday, April 26 from 5 pm - 7:30 pm (Members Sale - Must be a member to attend this free event - join online!) and Saturday, April 27 from 10 am - 2 pm (Public Sale - free!).
Our California Native, Trees & Shrubs and Landscape Cacti and Succulent nurseries are open to the public most Thursdays, weather permitting from 10:30 am until
1:30 pm.
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MARCH PLANT PICKS
Members Receive a 10% Discount
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Sarah Lyman California Polypody Fern,
Polypodium californicum
'Sarah Lyman'
This very old (discovered over 100 years ago) but delightful selection of the California polypody fern features finely divided fronds. It is excellent for the native shade garden; it thrives in our Mediterranean climate. 'Sarah Lyman' is a vigorous selection with its bright green foliage; it thrives all winter and into spring. In late spring or early summer this fern goes dormant and requires no water. Fall brings emergent, lush growth. Grows to 12 inches tall.
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Blue-eyed Grass,
Sisyrinchium bellum
'Arroyo de la Cruz'
This iris relative makes a compact clump of grass-like leaves. In the spring and summer, it is usually filled with blue-violet blooms. For such a small plant, its flowers provide quite a visual pop. Blue-eyed grass grows to 12 inches tall, and is drought resistant. Try it in a rock garden, as a border or accent plant. It prefers full sun and light summer water.
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Cape Blanco Pacific Stonecrop, Sedum spathulifolia
'Cape Blanco'
This is a delightful, mat-forming native succulent. It has dense rosettes of small turgid leaves covered with a beautiful white coating with green and purple tints; it gives a striking contrast to the mainly green palate of the other plants. It is very drought resistant which makes it a great plant for dry locations. It is also deer resistant. It grows to 3 inches tall and 15 inches wide. Try it in containers or tucked between rocks.
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Members' Sale: Friday, April 26 | 5 - 7:30 pm
Public Sale: Saturday, April 27 | 10 am - 2 pm
Members Sale and Silent Auction.
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MARCH PROGRAMS Join now and get the Members' Rate for Programs |
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 Docent Explainers: Newts
Come visit the Japanese Pool at the Garden where the newts are having all kinds of fun. A docent will be available to explain the newt activity and maybe even net a newt or two for a close-up look, while explaining the newt's life-cycle and habitat. Drop-in program. Free with Garden admission.
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Naturally Dyed Eggs
2 - 3:30 pm & 3 - 3:45 pm
This hands-on workshop will introduce children to the joy of natural dyes while they make their own patterns on eggs with brilliant plant-based colors. Price includes 4 eggs per participant.
Two session times available:
2 - 2:45 pm or 3 - 3:45 pm.
Registration required: Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. $15, $12 members. (Price includes admission to the Garden.)
REGISTER ONLINE
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Introduction to Plant Dyes
Sunday, March 31, 10 am - 1 pm
Come learn the basics of creating brilliant colors from nature in this introductory workshop on natural dyes. You'll leave with an understanding of fibers, color selection, mordanting, resist techniques and fabric and yarn samples. Participants may bring a garment or textile from home to dye.
$60, $50 members
REGISTER ONLINE
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EXHIBITION
March 31 - April 14
10 am - 4 pm daily
The biodiversity of plant-based fibers and dyes is vast. The University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley invites you to learn more about the world of natural fibers and dyes. From traditional uses to inspired future innovation in eco-fashion and textiles, a walk through our exhibit illuminates the connection of culture with nature.
Free with Garden admission
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  Illustrated Guide to Common Animals of the East Bay Hills (left)
A Map of Berkeley's Pathways (right)
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Follow the Garden
Stay in touch with us with Twitter, Facebook and our website.    
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Reservations are accepted daily, including weekends from 9 am - 4:30 pm.
Call 510-643-2755 for event registration or to purchase/renew a membership.
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