UC Garden Clippings

University of California Botanical Garden

May  2013 - Vol 4, Issue 10

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Free with Garden Admission

Docent Explainers
Native Bees
Sunday, May 19

2 pm - 3:30 pm

Butterfly Walk
Tuesday, May 28
3 pm - 4 pm

  

Spring Self-guided Tour 
The tour, which highlights plants from around the world, is a circuit and takes about one hour. It starts at the Garden Entrance. Look for the ORANGE numbered markers to guide you to the featured plants. Download the tour and map here. 

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Banner Photo | Melanie Hofmann  
 The Mediterranean Area
Our Bay Area climate takes its name from the Mediterranean basin, so it is no surprise that plants from this biogeographic region thrive in California.  With moderate temperatures year-round and long, dry summers, our local gardens are replete with plants that come from the original Mediterranean climate.  Located on the steep, eastern edge of the Garden, this area is reminiscent of the rocky slopes surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. 

Our collection houses plants from Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, Israel and northern Africa, to name a few locations.   The earliest bulbs have come and gone, and they serve as reminders that many familiar species such as tulips and narcissus have Mediterranean origins.   The area is rich in aromatic, herbal plants, including lavenders (Lavandula spp.), oreganos (Origanum spp.) and thymes (Thymus spp.).  Other familiar plants of the region include olive (Olea europaea), strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) and rock roses (Cistus spp.)

The collection goes beyond traditional Mediterranean boundaries to include plants from the islands of Macaronesia, which include the Canary Islands and the Azores.  Bay Area gardens would not be the same without plants from these islands, such as the many members of the genus of succulents, Aeonium, and the bold blue blossoms of Echium spp., sometimes known as 'pride of Madeira.'  Filled with blossoms and located across from the Garden of Old Roses, this is an excellent time to visit our own warm and rocky Mediterranean slope.
Propagator's Choice
 
Argyranthemum frutescens
(Marguerite Daisy)

This Canary Island perennial isn't rare or uncommon but it's a wonderful plant for Bay Area gardens. It will form a small shrub to 2-3' tall with gray-green, dissected foliage giving the plant a lacy appearance.  But the main charm of this plant is the profusion of daisy-like blooms from spring through fall. The marguerite daisy is great in patio containers, perennial borders, or part of Mediterranean planting. It is easy to grow, tolerates a variety of soil conditions, and prefers full sun. 
Offered in 4" pots for $4.00 each.

We also have a nice selection of Mediterranean, aromatic herbs for both the garden and the kitchen. Our oreganos, thymes, and rosemary are sure to please both the herb gardener and culinary connoisseur. Come take a look!
Thank You! 

. . .for supporting the Spring Plant Sale

 

I would like to extend our appreciation to all of you who participated in our  

Spring Plant Sale this past weekend and helped make it one of our most successful sales ever.  If you missed this one, please remember that we offer  

a wide selection of choice plants daily. Also, you will get another opportunity to shop at the Fall Plant Sale on the last Sunday of September. In the meantime,  

I urge you to visit and immerse yourself in the wonders of the Garden.

 

Paul Licht, Director, UC Botanical Garden

 

Visit our Spring Plant Sale website to see our wonderful sponsors.

 

Membership
This Mother's Day 

Give Mom 365 Days of Beauty and Exploration   

with a Garden Membership

Enchant your mom - and all the moms on your list this Mother's Day by indulging their passion for wonderment, beauty & horticulture! Our collections unveil a changing look season by season and members enjoy unlimited free admission all year-round. Members receive 10% off in the Garden Shop, discounts and free admission at over 270 participating Gardens around the nation, invitations to exclusive members-only events and more!

 

Explore our Membership Central website and discover FAQ's and a page devoted to our partner nurseries. Read about the benefits of membership and download a reciprocal admissions brochure.

 


Four Ways to Join or Renew
Online
On-Site: Stop by the Garden Kiosk
Phone: 510-643-1924 
Mail: 200 Centennial Dr � Berkeley � CA 94720-5045

 May Programs - Register Today 
 

Friday, May 10, 9 am - 5 pm  

Come celebrate National Public Gardens Day with UCBG! National Public Gardens Day is a celebration of America's public gardens and their important role in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation and education. Better Homes and Gardens magazine offers BHG readers a free admission coupon for two to visit participating public gardens on National Public Gardens Day (visit their website at bhg.com for coupon). To show our gratitude for your support we'll be featuring special tours and activities throughout the day. Get out there and enjoy your local green spaces - for free! There will be docent-led tours at 11 am and 1 pm leaving from the Garden shop.  

Free admission with BHG coupon.   

 

 
A Walk through the Garden of
Old Roses
  
Saturday, May 11, 10 am - 12 pm
Join horticulturist Peter Klement for a lovely morning stroll through the Garden of Old Roses at the peak of its bloom. Discover the rose's rich historical background and listen to amazing ethnobotanical tales.
$20/$15 members

 
Mother's Day Tea and Succulent Crafting
Sunday, May 12, 10 am - 12 pm
Start a new springtime tradition with mom! This succulent garden workshop is designed to nurture her creative spirit. Enjoy a traditional cream tea in our beautiful Garden setting in celebration of mom's special day. Following your splendid tea you'll get your hands dirty! With a few choice plants, a touch of inspiration and a cute container, you can create an elegant and easy-to-care-for garden. All materials included. $65/$55 members

 
Floral Design with
Chestnut and Vine

Wednesday, May 22, 6 pm - 9 pm
Come spend an evening with Svenja Brotz of Chestnut & Vine in the Botanical Garden. You will learn how to create a fabulous arrangement as well as some simple tricks that you can apply to your future designs. You'll have the unique opportunity to use some material from the Garden collection for your arrangement. This class will include all materials except for pruning shears, so don't forget to bring your favorite garden cutters and possibly a pair of gloves. Design beginners and flower enthusiasts welcome! Spaces are limited so sign up early. $90/$75 members

 
Jam Making with Seasonal Fruit
Tuesday, May 28, 6 pm - 8 pm

Join Rachel Saunders, founder of Blue Chair Fruit as she brings her expertise on fruit and fruit preserving techniques back to the Garden. In this two-hour demo-style class, students will cook two different jams, one single-fruit and one mixed-fruit. Our focus will be on the preparation of the raw fruit, the cooking process, and how to safely jar your jam. Participants will receive two take-home jars of jam and a set of class notes.

 

 

COMING SOON!

Tribute Bricks
The $25,000 brick  
Tribute Brick Challenge   
Help the Garden sell 30 bricks by
June 1 to receive the $25,000 brick
challenge gift.
 
Green Stuff Summer Camp
   
Summer Camp 2013 
Our very popular Green Stuff summer camp is open for registration and some weeks are already full!

Children spend one magical week at this special outdoor science day camp exploring our amazing collection of plants from around the world. Each day is unique and includes walks and creek discoveries, hands-on investigations, journaling, edible gardening, animal studies, storytelling, crafts, and lots more.


Camps are divided by week for 5 - 7, 7 - 10 (new!) or 8 - 10 year olds with 12 campers and 2 counselors, held June 17 - August 16.

 CLICK HERE for more information and to REGISTER!
The Garden Shop
In The Garden Shop...
Don't forget - Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12!  A gift that grows from the Plant Deck or a special, garden-inspired gift from The Garden Shop will make every mother's day and supports the Garden too!

  
- Just in time for Mother's Day -
Handmade potted succulent mini-gardens and a new shipment of
limited edition hand block print floral scarves has arrived from Anokhi 

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