From the Santa Cruz Sentinel
August 4, 2005
Taking in the ambiance of
a local garden could cure summer doldrums
Our region is home to a veritable smorgasbord of gardens. Each one is unique, loaded with native gardening ideas. Spend some time this summer wandering through beautiful landscapes to re-energize your gardening imagination. A short stroll can reveal planting combinations even Mother Nature didn’t think of or discover a species just perfect for your yard. For specific questions try tracking down the tenders of the gardens to garner their best native gardening advice.
You are thinking summer native gardens are boring? Ah, contraire! This is the time for summer blooms including wooly blue curls (Trichostema lanatum), St. Catherine’s Lace (Eriogonum giganteum) and California fuchsia (Ebilobium californica) just to name a few. This is the only time of year to enjoy the fragrance of common tarweed (Hemizonia congesta), the perfume of dry California valleys.
It takes a hot day to find the true enjoyment of leaving the summer sun and plunging into the deep cool of a wooded area. And don’t forget the wildlife. With plenty to forage on, the ranks of quail families have swollen to look like small herds, which are in need of crossing guards when navigating foot paths.
Gardens nearby
NATIVE REVIVAL NURSERY
APTOS
Ten demonstration beds are dotted throughout the nursery. These miniature specimen gardens contain a wide variety of plant material including perennials, groundcovers, shrubs, and grasses that are drought tolerant and grow well in our coastal climate. The garden is easily accessible for frequent visits. For the most part the plants are nonirrigated once established. The gardens were designed to help people "to see what plants can do once they get into the ground," says Denise Polk, Native Revival Nursery. "Seeing a plant at its full size gives a whole different perspective, a different ambience than seeing it in a can," adds Polk. An easily accessible garden with a wealth of information.
WATER WISE DEMONSTRATION GARDENCreated with water conservation in mind the garden was planted late this spring to show people water saving options for the home garden. The garden "shows the juxtaposition of one of the many permeable synthetic turfs bordered by native plants" says Ron Duncan Water Conservation Coordinator. "This was a gopher ridden area," comments Duncan. Both the turf and plants are gopher protected. Easily seen from Soquel Drive keep an eye on how natives mature day by day and how the gopher protection is holding up.
ROGERS GARDEN
ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE CENTER, CABRILLO COLLEGE
APTOS
This is a great opportunity to see a native landscape take shape over time. Massing of natives have been used at the entrance of the Center to give "a welcoming feeling," says Lisa McAndrews, Horticulture Instructor at Cabrillo since 1980. "At the moment we are working with the sun and shade qualities of the space," adds McAndrews. If deer find your garden a smorgasbord, then take note that the "most deer tolerant" plants available were selected, adds McAndrews. Keep your eye on the newly planted meadow area and see how it develops into a student sitting area.
CALIFORNIA NATIVE GARDEN
UCSC SANTA CRUZ
First planted in 1979 the garden is a blend of
mature and young plants. Part of the garden is divided by cultivars such as
Salvias, Ceanothus, and Sisyrinchiums. These groupings allow people to see the
diversity within a species. "Sometimes people don’t know that Ceanothus
or Arctostaphylos are ground covers" as well as shrubs, says Rick Flores,
Curator of the Native Plant Collection. Plantings are not confined to strictly
plant communities, but rather by growing condition. You will be able to see
natives for different regions of California cohabitating. The arboretum has a
long history of being involved with native plant gardening and has a long list
of plant introductions into the commercial trade including several Mimulus and
Zauschnerias.
Half-day garden trips
CHEESEMAN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY AREA
DEANZA COLLEGE
This 1½ -acre garden was created in 1971 as an outdoor classroom. It currently represents 12 plant communities including 400 species. The garden has "so much diversity packed into a very small space. It replicates different environments on a small scale," says Annie Presler, Coordinator of the study area. Through the use of landscape design the different communities including Redwood, sand dune and chaparral blend together in a pleasing way "People actually get lost in the garden," says Presler. "They are amazed how much is here." Once plants are established very little irrigation is utilized. Most plants are commercially available. Natural is the by-word for maintaining the garden. "Pruning is done to revitalize. No pesticides are used," reflects Presler.
A CALIFRONIA NATIVE PLANT GARDEN
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
PALO ALTO
Designed and installed by American Artist Meg Webster the garden in the University landscape is a truly unique marriage of art and natives. Created in the campus landscape is a wild area where four existing zones including sunny and moist, shady and moist, sunny and dry, and shady and dry were transformed into models of plant communities. Webster’s design using mounds and ground seating invites the visitor not only to view the plant material, but to become part of the landscape to experience it from the inside out. Not quite three years old Webster’s plan seems to be working. "As people become more familiar more people are using the seats and strolling through it. It is an intimate garden," reflects Herb Fong, Manager Grounds Service Department.
NATIVE HILL
FOOTHILL COLLEGE
LOS ALTOS
Originally planted in 1982 the garden has been undergoing a renaissance in the last few years. In just under an acre a variety of growing conditions have been created and planted with the natives that thrive in them including shade and moisture, dry hot hillsides, and shady moist. Most of the plants are labeled and available in local native specialty nurseries. There is a good "mix of mature conifers and other large plant material including manzanitas, mature salvias, spice bush along with younger material," says Peigi Duvall, Graduate of the Foothill Horticulture Program and State Horticulure Program Director for CNPS.
All-day garden trips
GERDA ISENBERG NATIVE PLANT GARDEN
YERBA BUENA NURSERY
WOODSIDE
Plants in this 2½ -acre garden range in age from new plantings to those that are 25 years old. The nursery credits itself with being the oldest plant nursery business in California. The garden takes the guesswork out of what mature plant can look, since "the garden has a mature specimen of just about every plant that we have for sale, which is between 500 and 600 throughout the year," says Matt Teel Nursery manager and propagator. "Natives from all over the state are grown, but the emphasis is on local natives," Teel said. Teel added the landscape has a strong emphasis on what combines well to give people ideas of what to plant such as foliages, textures that go together. If irrigation frequency is your perennial question, take note: To "keep the plants looking their best, the garden is watered every two weeks to once a month," adds Teel. Yerba Buena is tucked away in a rural setting, plan on packing a lunch and spending some time once you arrive.
REGIONAL PARKS BOTANIC GARDEN
BERKELEY
Planting began in 1940 to create a home for all of the plant communities in California within a 10-acre garden. The result is a well labeled "intensely planted garden that verges on being a collector’s garden," says Steve Edwards, garden director since 1983. The plantings are meticulously designed, planted and maintained creating a truly enchanted garden, adds Edwards. Plantings are arranged by regions creating lots of landscaping ideas to try at home. Although rare and endangered species are displayed, many species are commercially available. This is a fantastic combination of a garden that can amaze with the uncommon while providing tips and techniques to take home.
GARDEN: Native Revival Nursery
LOCATION: 2600 Mar Vista Dr., Aptos
SIZE: Less than an acre FEES: None PHONE:
684-1811
HOURS: Tuesday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
GARDEN: Water Wise Demonstration Garden
LOCATION: Soquel Creek Water District, 5180 Soquel Dr., Soquel
SIZE: 700 square feet FEES: None HOURS:
Open daily during daylight hours PHONE:
475-8500
GARDEN: Rogers Garden LOCATION:
Environmental Horticulture Center at Cabrillo Community College
SIZE: Less than an acre FEES: $2 parking fee HOURS:
Opens when classes are in session
PHONE: 477-5671
GARDEN: California Native Garden
LOCATION: UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz
SIZE: 1½ acres FEES: Donations welcome HOURS:
Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed major holidays
PHONE: 427-2998
GARDEN: Cheeseman Environmental Study Area
LOCATION: DeAnza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino
SIZE: 1½ acres FEES: None HOURS: By
appointment PHONE: 408-864-8346
GARDEN: A California Native Plant Garden
LOCATION: Stanford University, Palo Alto
SIZE: Less than an acre FEES: Parking meter fees during
weekdays
HOURS: Daily during daylight hours PHONE: 650-725-3175
GARDEN: Native Hill, Foothill College
LOCATION: Foothill College, 12345 Moody Road, Los Altos
SIZE: Less than an acre FEES: None HOURS:
Daily during daylight hours
E-MAIL: phidor@juno.com
GARDEN: Yerba Buena Nursery Gerda Isenberg
Native Plant Garden LOCATION: 19500 Skyline Blvd., Woodside
SIZE: 2½ acres FEES: None HOURS:
Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
PHONE: 477-5671
GARDEN: Regional Parks Botanic Gardens
LOCATION: Wildcat Canyon Road and South Park Drive in Tilden Regional
Park in Berkeley
SIZE: 10 acres Fees: None HOURS: 8:30
a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed on major holidays
PHONE: 510-841-7832