Ironwood winter 2017

VOLUME 25, NUMBER 4

WINTER 2017

CALIFORNIA COLOR in your

GARDEN Also inside Winter Garden Maintenance Pritchett Trail Reopens Garden Calendar

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE 1212 Mission Canyon Road Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Tel (805) 682-4726 sbbg.org GARDEN HOURS Mar – Oct: Daily 9am – 6pm Nov – Feb: Daily 9am – 5pm REGISTRATION Ext. 102 Registrar is available: M – F / 9am – 4pm GARDEN SHOP Ext. 112 Hours: Mar – Oct, Daily 9am – 5:30pm Nov – Feb, Daily 9am – 4:30pm GARDEN GROWERS NURSERY Ext. 127 Selling California native plants to the public with no admission fee.

Hours: Mar – Oct, Daily 9am – 5:30pm Nov – Feb, Daily 9am – 4:30pm DEVELOPMENT Ext. 133 EDUCATION Ext. 160 FACILITY RENTAL Ext. 133 MEMBERSHIP Ext. 110 VOLUNTEER OFFICE Ext. 119 IRONWOOD | Volume 25, Number 4 | Winter 2017 ISSN 1068-4026 EDITOR Flannery Hill DESIGNER Paula Schaefer Ironwood is published quarterly by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, a private nonprofit institution founded in 1926.

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden fosters the conservation of California native plants through our gardens, education, and research, and serves as a role model of sustainable practices.

The Garden Offers Plants, Instruction, and Inspiration Thank you to everyone who purchased plants during our Fall Native Plant Sale.

This was a very successful plant sale! I want to extend a special thank you to our major co-sponsors for the Fall Native Plant Sale – S&S Seeds and the City of Santa Barbara’s Water Wise Program.

You probably already know that there are great reasons to incorporate California native plants into your Garden: • many are drought tolerant, saving water and money • they are adapted to regional climate and local soils • they are easy to grow and require less maintenance once established • they attract bees and other pollinators, including ones native to the area, creating critical habitat • they evoke a sense of place, and • they are beautiful!

The Garden is a member of the American Public Gardens Association, the American Alliance of Museums, the California Association of Museums, and the American Horticultural Society.

The Garden has California native plants available for purchase seven days a week year-round, thanks to our dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

If you need design ideas or any more information, visit our nursery and tour our Water Wise Home Garden surrounding the Volunteer Cottage, as well as other Garden displays. I hope you will find the Garden as inspiring as I do. It was from one of our displays that I discovered the 'Dana Point' selection of California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) that makes a beautiful, drought tolerant, and generally tough as nails groundcover that spills over walls and down hillsides. I hope you discover your new favorite plant on your next walk in the Garden!

©2017 Santa Barbara Botanic Garden All rights reserved.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR Peter Schuyler VICE-CHAIR Tom Craveiro SECRETARY Sue Adams TREASURER Edward Roach Sarah Berkus Gower Samantha L. Davis Lou Greer Frost John Gabbert Elaine Gibson Valerie Hoffman John Parke Jesse Smith Susan Spector Susan Van Atta

volunteers. And that continuing availability is a good thing as for most of our state, late fall and winter are the best times to plant California natives. We can help find the perfect plants to add to your garden. The resources we offer include: advice from our staff and volunteers, books in the Garden Shop, a range of gardening classes, and more information like Water Wise Native Plants for Santa Barbara County (sbbg.org/waterwisebooklet) on our website. For those who would prefer a hard copy, you can pick up a free copy at the Garden or from our partners, the City of Santa Barbara’s Water Conservation program.

See you in the Garden, Steve Windhager at the Garden to Table Dinner in the Redwoods

FOLLOW THE GARDEN! FACEBOOK.COM/SBGARDEN YOUTUBE.COM/SBBGORG @SANTABARBARABOTANICGARDEN

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While the October sale is over, there is still time to get more native plants for your own garden. The Garden has California native plants available for purchase seven days a week year-round, thanks to our dedicated team of staff and

Steve Windhager, Ph.D. Executive Director

Water Wise Natives

FOR SANTA BAR BARA COU NTY Imagine a beautiful garden, full of life, which saves you water, time, and money: a garden full of California native plants! The plants recommended in the Water Wise Natives for Santa Barbara County booklet are the most beautiful and reliable natives available for our local gardens.

Perfectly Suited Natives are perfectly suited to our summer-dry, winter-wet climate and are better than plants from other parts of the world at providing habitat for our pollinators and wildlife. And, unlike many exotic plants, natives will not become invasive in our wildlands.

Available for Free Pick up your FREE COPY in the Garden Shop today, or view online:

sbbg.org/waterwisebooklet

Sixth Annual Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

CONS ERVATION SYM POS I U M

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ore than 130 conservationists gathered at Santa Barbara City College’s Fé Bland Forum on Friday, October 13, 2017 for the Sixth Annual Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Conservation Symposium.

Established in 2012, the Garden’s Conservation Symposium addresses topics that are critical to environmental conservation in our region, as well as nationally and internationally. This year, six expert speakers delivered talks on the theme, “Innovative Ways of Exploring Biodiversity: Embracing Big Data, Technology, and Citizen Science.”

By Flannery Hill, Marketing & Membership Manager

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden; and Mary Ellen Hannibal, award-winning author of Citizen Scientist: Searching for Heroes and Hope in an Age of Extinction.

The day ended with an engaging panel discussion moderated by the Garden’s Director of Conservation and Research, Dr. Denise Knapp.

At the event, Dr. Susan Mazer, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) was presented with the 2017 Pritzlaff Conservation Award, which the Garden awards every year to a trailblazer in conservation.

In her keynote talk, S.O.S. – the Power of Seeds, Observations, and Specimens to Predict Ecological and Evolutionary Responses of Plants to Climatic Variation, Dr. Mazer stated that in order to combat “plant blindness,” the inability to see or notice the plants in one’s own environment, we need to engage the public in genuine scientific research. “If we don’t learn to observe, we won’t place a high priority on conservation,” said Dr. Mazer.

The event’s talks focused on how we can use modern technology to help solve the biodiversity crisis we have today. Additional speakers included: Ken-Ichi Ueda, co-founder and co-director of iNaturalist; Dr. Katja Seltmann, Director of the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration, University of California, Santa Barbara; Dr. Jon Rebman, Mary and Dallas Clark Endowed Chair/Curator of Botany, San Diego Natural History Museum; Dr. Matt Guilliams, Ken & Shirley Tucker Systematist,

Symposium speakers from left: Dr. Susan Mazer, Mary Ellen Hannibal, Dr. Jon Rebman, Dr. Matt Guilliams, Dr. Katja Seltmann, Ken-ichi Ueda, and Dr. Denise Knapp

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A California Winter in the Garden

By Nick Resler, Staff Gardener

Many of us are guilty of overlooking the subtle beauty of a native winter garden, instead focusing on the colorful explosion of spring. But winter is not dull and lifeless here in coastal California.

It is a time of growth and renewal and it offers its own elegant display of color. In Santa Barbara we are blessed with a wide array of native plants that bloom not just in spring, but year round, so why not add some winter vibrancy to your home garden? We’ve got the expertise to help you maintain and prepare for spring and we’ve got the plants you need to bring native life and color in winter!

WINTER GARDEN MAINTENANCE Planting Both fall and winter are excellent times of year to plant shrubs, trees and all perennials. Now is also the ideal time to sow your wildflower seeds. A few tips to keep in mind when planting at this time of year: try to avoid planting right after a storm when the soil is exceptionally wet and heavy. If you walk around your garden trying to get your plants in the ground and the soil is too heavy, it will quickly lead to compaction and your baby plantings will struggle to put out new roots. Soft, loamy soil is key to excellent plant growth.

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TIP After you are done planting be sure to thoroughly water the new ones in so that the roots are completely wet. Do not let new plantings dry out completely for their first winter, but do let them partially dry out in between waterings to avoid rot. Watering is often the hardest step in gardening and the trick to getting it right relies on checking the soil moisture and checking it often. Remember that you must check the moisture level not just at the surface, but a few inches down.

sowing wildflower seeds, be sure to loosen the soil before throwing down the seed. After tilling and sowing, you need to rake the seed in, but try to avoid burying them more than half an inch. Newly germinated wildflowers need to be kept constantly moist for about the first month, so be sure the soil never dries out completely.

Sowing

TIP Use Scare Tape (reflective ribbon available at most garden centers) to discourage birds, and Sluggo (safe, nontoxic snail bait) to deter snails, from eating seedlings.

Winter is the time of year to sow your wildflower seeds if you want a beautiful profusion of color come spring. When

When it comes to native wildflowers there are an overwhelming amount of choices; my absolute favorite combination includes

B. COLLINS

One of the most important things to do during a drought winterspring is to turn on your water and make up for missing rains.

manzanita in bloom

the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) and baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) whose oranges and blues create a wonderful color contrast. Tidy tips (Layia platyglossa) and lupines (Lupinus sp.) are also excellent performers. Also be sure to sow some Madia elegans and farewell-to-spring (Clarkia spp.) to continue your colorful display into late spring and early summer.

Pruning & Cutting Back Now is the best time to prune and cut back most of our native perennial shrubs, though there are a few noteworthy exceptions to the rule. Fall and winter is when you should be pruning and cutting-back your sages, bush sunflowers, and buckthorns. All three of these groups can be cut back hard. How much or how little you remove depends entirely on your preferences and how healthy or unhealthy the plant looks. Generally you want to cut them back regularly to the shape and size you prefer or else they will become woody and scraggly if you let them go for too many seasons. Pruning your perennial shrubs now will help to remove dead branches and also encourage new, fresh growth for a bushier, fuller

plant. Gardener Antonio Sanchez, points out that during winter, “Our rhizomatous plants like yarrow, hummingbird sage, and California fuchsias should be cut back fairly hard to reveal fresh growth,” adding that, “It is common to cut many of these to the ground.” After pruning or cutting back your natives, Antonio suggests that you add a dressing of compost to further encourage new growth and to help the plant recover from the pruning. Not all perennial shrubs however should be cut back during the winter.

Antonio notes that you should neither cut back manzanitas nor ceanothus because, “those plants are about to flower and we don’t want to miss those flowers.” Tip: If you are unsure whether a plant can be pruned at this time or not, don’t hesitate to do a little research, or contact us at the Garden before grabbing your loppers.

Supplemental Watering Ah, winter time, the rain has returned, time to give the irrigation system a rest and conserve our precious water, but not so fast! Don’t turn off your system just yet. If our winter rains don’t return in earnest (which all too often happens here in Southern California) then your native

plants will absolutely need some supplemental watering. As Antonio is quick to point out, “One of the most important things to do during a drought winterspring is to turn on your water and make up for missing rains.” True, our California natives are highly adept at surviving our long, brutal summers when the rain stops. During that time most species will halt any growth and go dormant. But during our wet season they must receive adequate amounts of water in order to put down strong root systems to endure the dry spell ahead. Slight mists and drizzles are not enough; our natives need water that will penetrate deep down. Even mature, established plants will need occasional deep watering if the rains don’t materialize. How often you need to provide supplemental water depends entirely on your soil type, slope and exposure. Check the soil moisture, and check it often! If the rains have not returned by the end of December then it is time to start watering. By rule of thumb Antonio says, “Deep drenches every two weeks is a good standard, making sure to stop if real rains begin.”

continued on page 14

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Become a

GARDEN VOLUNTEER

Training begins in January!

Register at sbbg.org/gardenvolunteers Share your passion for native plants, natural history, and foster the conservation of California’s native habitat. Come grow with us.

Prior knowledge of native plants not required.

Picture your next event at the Garden Corporate meetings • Conferences Lectures • Special events PLEASE CONTACT Stephanie Linder Director of Development & Communications slinder@sbbg.org (805) 682-4726, ext. 133

Saturday, March 24 1­—4:30pm

K. HENKE

General admission tickets on sale starting Friday, February 23 sbbg.org/beer

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CALENDAR

Class dates and times are subject to change and additional classes may be added. Please check the website for up-to-date information.

THE SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN

Free Public Docent Tours every Saturday and Sunday at 11am & 2pm and Mondays at 2pm Pricing: member / non-member / volunteer | Register at sbbg.org/classes-events or call (805) 682-4726, ext. 102

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Wreaths, Swags, and Garlands Make your own beautiful holiday decorations with California native plants. Drop in or stay the entire time creating fabulous, professional looking arrangements. Family friendly.

Greens, ribbons, pine cones, and other décor provided. Pay by the piece; hours and number of festive items is optional.

Family friendly. 11am-3pm. Wreaths: small $15/Medium $25/ large $40; swags: small $5/medium $10/large $20; Garlands: $5/foot. Other items individually priced (e.g. tabletop arrangements)

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HERBAL MEDICINE OF CA NATIVE PLANTS SERIES Explore the Garden in a new light with experienced herbalist Emily Sanders, as she reveals the different medicinal properties of California native plants. Classes are offered on the first Saturday of alternate month and cover different plant communities. Members only series of six classes: $115

Teahouse Open Visitors and members are invited to experience our ShinKanAn Teahouse and Garden and witness the rich traditions of the Japanese tea ceremony. 11am-1pm. Free with paid Garden admission.

Kevin Gleason & Chris Potter Opening Reception Local plein air artists, Kevin Gleason and Chris Potter will showcase the beauty of Santa Barbara’s natural landscapes in their show opening in the Pritzlaff Conservation Center Gallery. In addition to iconic local views, the artists will feature paintings of the Garden from their own unique perspectives. 2-4pm. Free

Garden Volunteer Training Share your passion for native plants, natural history, and foster the conservation of California’s flora by serving as a Garden volunteer. No prior experience required. Additional training required to become a Docent or Nursery volunteer.

Volunteers have access to continuing education opportunities throughout the year. 10am-1pm. $15 material fee

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HERBAL MEDICINE OF MOUNTAIN & CHAPARRAL Join Emily Sanders and learn about some of the medicinal uses of native plants in mountain and chaparral plant communities. 10am-12pm. $25/$35/$15

Insect Hotels: Build Your Own! Take home a “hotel” for pollinators and other beneficial insects, and learn more about its future occupants, in this hands-on workshop using natural materials. A fun gift for the gardener in your life or install it in your own garden!

Co-taught by Frederique Lavoipierre and Stephanie Ranes.

Family friendly. 10am-noon. $30/$45 Native Birds & Blooms in Vibrant Watercolor Inks Create a lyrical watercolor of flowers and birds in the garden, from life and photos, using vibrant India inks with instructor Carissa Luminess. All materials supplied.

9am-4:30pm. $85/$100

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Free Seniors Day Welch-Ryce Haider Funeral Chapels invites visitors 60 and better to come to the Garden as their guests. Seniors pay no admission today and can enjoy wreath making in the Library.

For groups of 10 and larger, please make a reservation by calling (805) 682-4726, ext. 161.

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Coal Oil Point Geology Explore the cliffs of Isla Vista to see how seismic activity creates a marine terrace. Examine an extensive marine invertebrate fossil layer offering hints of the prehistoric environment. Explore tide pools during a minus tide. Led by California Naturalist Alan Pritchard. 11am-3pm. $50/$65/$40

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Grow Your Own: Native Plants from Cuttings Many California native plants are easy to propagate once you know a few simple techniques. Join the Garden’s expert propagator Heather Wehnau for a workshop packed with tips – and take home some cuttings ready to grow in your own garden! 1:30-4:30pm. $30/$45 Teahouse Open See December 9. Free with paid Garden admission.

California Native Plant Society Meeting The Garden hosts the California Native Plant Society, Channel Islands Chapter for their monthly meeting. See the CNPSCI webpage for information. 7pm-8:30pm. Free

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CALENDAR

THE SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN

Free Public Docent Tours every Saturday and Sunday at 11am & 2pm and Mondays at 2pm

JAN

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Morning Bird Walk Expert naturalist and birder Rebecca Coulter leads this morning group in watching and listening for the diverse and beautiful birds that make the meadow, woodlands, and creek side their home. Bring your own binoculars, or borrow the Garden’s. 8:30am-10am. $10/$15/$5

SBBGPHOTOS.ORG

SBBGPHOTOS.ORG

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ENTOMOLOGY FOR GARDENERS AND BOTANISTS SERIES What are all those insects up to? Meet the insects and other small critters that share our habitat. Classes include a short introductory lecture, hands-on labs, and Garden exploration.

Taught by Frederique Lavoipierre, Director of Education.

Members only series of four classes: $60

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MEET THE INSECT KIN Learn to recognize millipedes, centipedes, and other arthropods such as spiders, harvestmen, and the difference between sowbugs and pillbugs. What are they all doing in your Garden? Native plants for creating habitat for beneficial Garden Allies are discussed. 1-3pm. $20/$35/$15

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Trails Less Traveled: Rattlesnake Canyon Join naturalist Alan Prichard on an exploration of lower Rattlesnake Canyon and discover some of the side trails that reveal the geology (and archeology!) of one of Santa Barbara’s most popular hiking spots. 9am-1pm. $50/$65/$40

Wildlife Tracks at the Garden Join expert tracker and co-author of Field Guide to Animal Tracks and Scat of California Michael Kresky on a quest for animal track and sign in the Garden. An inspiring introduction that emphasizes a holistic perspective in the study of natural history. 9am-1pm. $30/$45/$20

FEB

HERBS FOR WINTER WELLNESS SERIES Join local herbalist, Emily Sanders, for this 2-part course on making herbal therapies for winter wellness & create your own cold care kit using California native plants. Members only series of two classes: $80

FEB

HERBS FOR WINTER WELLNESS – LECTURE Join us for a presentation on easy to use herbal allies for winter wellness & cold care. This introductory course covers 10 useful native California herbs for colds, flus, coughs, fevers & sinus congestion. 10am-1pm. $30/$45/$20 HERBS FOR WINTER WELLNESS – MEDICINE MAKING Assemble and create your own winter wellness kit to take home. Create herbal remedies using California native plants, including sinus steams, herbal chest rubs, cold & flu baths & bronchial remedies. 2-5pm. $65/$85

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Create Your Own Valentine’s Day Cards Learn how to make a variety of different card designs and how to incorporate natural plant materials into your festive Valentine’s Day Cards! Deborah Dal Zuffo leads this workshop, techniques can be applied to gift cards suitable for any season. 10am-12pm. $25/$35 Volunteer Orientation Explore our diverse volunteer opportunities and how to get started as part of the Garden team. Bring a friend and get a behind the scenes tour. 5-6:30pm in the Volunteer Cottage Teahouse Open See December 9. Free with paid Garden admission MEET THE INSECTS OF MISSION CREEK: PART 1 Explore Mission Creek, and learn about the insects that live there. What do they tell us about water quality? How do they rely on native plants? We will bring living specimens back to the Plant Lab for a closer look through the microscope.1-3pm. $20/$35/$15

Class dates and times are subject to change and additional classes may be added. Please check the website for up-to-date information.

Pricing: member / non-member / volunteer | Register at sbbg.org/classes-events or call (805) 682-4726, ext. 102

K. HEHNKE

deeply, find out how to talk to customers about planting and learn the most important dos and don’ts of gardening with our native plants. 3:30-5:30pm. $25 class materials fee

FEB

Bring the Wild Inside Create a beautiful seasonal arrangement to take home, using California native plants. Perfect for beginner to advanced floral designers. All materials are supplied. Heather Wehnau will guide you in the art of assembling creative arrangements using flowers, stems, berries and other natural materials.

2-4pm. $25/$40

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Introduction to Mosses & Relatives Gain an appreciation of the miniature world of byrophytes – the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. Beginning with a short introductory presentation. Discover previously unnoticed forest treasures on a Garden exploration, and then get a closer look peering through the top-quality microscopes in the Plant Lab. Led by expert Amanda Heinrich.

10am-12:30pm. $30/$45/$25 Morning Bird Walk See January 17. $10/$15/$5

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HERBAL MEDICINE OF FLOWERING PLANTS Take a walk around the Garden with experienced herbalist Emily Sanders, as she covers the medicinal and edible effects of many of our amazing native spring flowers.

10am-12pm. $25/$35/$15

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The Buzz about Native Bees Join Rich Hatfield, Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist for the Xerces Society, in this special opportunity to learn about California’s native bees. Learn about threatened species, how to support them with the native plants and thoughtful garden design, and how to recognize some commonly seen bees. University students may register at volunteer price. 9am-5pm. $140/$165/$100 Volunteer Orientation Explore our diverse volunteer opportunities and how to get started as part of the Garden team. Bring a friend and get a behind the scenes tour. 5-6:30pm in the Volunteer Cottage.

Garden Growers Learn what it takes to become a Garden Growers volunteer and work in the Nursery. Come join the horticulture staff to become a volunteer and get to know the Garden more

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CALENDAR

THE SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN

Free Public Docent Tours every Saturday and Sunday at 11am & 2pm and Mondays at 2pm Pricing: member / non-member / volunteer | Register at sbbg.org/classes-events or call (805) 682-4726, ext. 102 HERBAL SPA KIT SERIES Learn herbal therapies for natural skin care in this 2-part workshop. Start the day with a presentation on California native herbs used to relieve acne, oily skin, dry skin, exfoliation, rejuvenation, brightening smiles, and soothing rough hands & feet. Join us for the second part of the series to make your own herbal face wash, face steam, foot scrub, tooth powder, & rejuvenating herbal oil to create your very own native herbal spa kit to take home. Members only: $80

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HERBAL SPA KIT – LECTURE Come for a presentation on 10 native herbs used for natural skin care. 10am-1pm. $30/$45/$20

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HERBAL SPA KIT – MEDICINE MAKING Join us for this hands-on workshop on creating your own herbal spa kit using California native plants. 2-5pm. $65/$80

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Teahouse Open See December 9. Free with paid Garden admission

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Investigating Native Salvias Join us for this unique Garden walk focused on California’s native Salvias. Instructor Stephanie Ranes will discuss the cultural care of Salvias in the home landscape, including how to choose the best varieties for your garden, the role these plants play in our chaparral and sage scrub ecosystems, and more! 10am-12pm. $20/$35/$15 MEET THE INSECTS OF MISSION CREEK: PART II Explore Mission Creek, and learn about the insects that live there. What do they tell us about water quality? How do they rely on native plants? We will bring living specimens back to the Plant Lab for a closer look through the microscope. 1-3pm. $20/$35/$15

MAR

California Native Plant Society Meeting See January 16. Free

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Morning Bird Walk See January 17. $10/$15/$5

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Native Trees and Shrubs Design 101 Join Nursery Technician Patrick Wiley, in a tutorial on native tree and shrub care. Practical demonstrations will cover how to choose healthy plants, site preparation, plant care, and pruning techniques. 10am-12pm. $20/$35

Santa Barbara Beer Garden Enjoy one-of-a-kind, craft beers from local breweries while exploring the Garden. Indulge in snacks and treats as well as live music all while experiencing California native plants.

Find details at sbbg.org/beer

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Good Fungi, Healthy Roots, Happy Natives Join author Robert Kourik, as he discusses the amazing beneficial fungi that promote the healthiest roots of native and ornamental plants. Discover the relationships between beneficial fungi and plants, where in the roots it happens, and how to promote it. 2pm-3:30pm. $30/$45/$20

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Botanical Toolkit Professional development course for professional, training, and amateur botanists. Subjects include, documenting plant species, research and monitoring techniques, and seed collection. Individual classes can be taken as a series for a discount. 9am-5pm. $140/$165 Series (Members only): $350 Domecar Botanical Day Trip A rare glimpse of some of the last original native coastal landscape in southern California. Ride in style for a narrated scenic adventure. Catered buffet lunch including beer and wine included. 11:30am-7pm. $175/$195

S E R I ES C O NTI N U I N G I N TH E S P R I N G MEET THE INSECTS HERBAL MEDICINE

Please sign up for Garden Gazette for announcements of additional Channel Island trips. No Specialty Tours November through February.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Ann and John Brinker Our daughters grew up exploring the Garden and we hope it will be here for future generations.

As long-time members and volunteers, we decided to support the Garden’s Seed the Future Campaign with an irrevocable bequest pledge a few years ago. There are a variety of options for planned giving but this one was the right one for us and the campaign. We encourage other Garden supporters to consider how a planned gift to the Garden might fit into their estate plans. We’re glad we did!

J. WARDLAW

~John and Ann Brinker

PLANT A SEED FOR THE FUTURE You can ensure a vibrant future for the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden by including us in your estate plans.Individuals who provide for the Garden in their estate plans, either through a bequest, life income gift, life insurance policy, or other

means, are invited to join our Blaksley Bliss Society. For more information, please contact our Director of Development & Communications, Stephanie Linder at slinder@sbbg.org or (805) 682-4726, ext. 133.

GRAND REOPENING

Pritchett Trail

By Flannery Hill, Marketing & Membership Manager

O R. WRIGHT

n October 4, 2017 more than 40 Garden volunteers and staff gathered in the Blaksley Library for volunteer Don Jack’s presentation of the completed trail work and historical findings of the Pritchett Trail.

From left, Dave Kershaw, Susan Spector, Susan Van Atta, Tom Craveiro, Don Jack, and Steve Windhager

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE GARDEN VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF WHO MADE THIS PROJECT HAPPEN! Volunteers: Sam Babcock, Ray Ochs, Steve Petersen, Rob Romzick, and Jeff Saley Garden Staff: Kathy Castaneda, Manny Gonzalez, Dave Kershaw, Tony Lee, Jason Nelson, and Randy Wright

The Pritchett Trail was constructed between December 1940 and July 1941, and ascends the steep canyon wall west of the creek, winding through stands of indigenous southern oak woodland.

Don’s research findings informed the renovation objectives to not only improve the safety of the trail, but respect the historical aspects.

Don realized that a portion of the Pritchett Trail was built over top of the aqueduct and he took extensive measures to protect and preserve this historic structure from inadvertent damage. Safety improvements

included covering the exposed pipes with soil (the original pipe was laid in 1945), widening the trail under a leaning tree, and anchoring the wall structure. A small spur trail leading to a scenic overlook, that had been abandoned, was restored.

Garden staff and volunteers, under Don’s lead, used materials that were as true as possible to the original aesthetics of the trail design.

“I really liked bringing back the historic look and signage of the Garden,” said Don. “I’m thrilled that the trail has the same look and feel of the original trail.”

After the presentation, the group walked from the Blaksley Library to the Prichett Trail trailhead for a ribbon cutting and group walk of the trail.

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1/ Linda Mathews, Chair of the Teahouse Improvements Fundraising Committee, gives Steve Windhager donations from the Teahouse volunteers to launch the fundraising for the repairs and improvements

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of the Teahouse and Tea Garden. Shown with Alice Esbenshade Burke and volunteer Tom Craveiro 2/ Susan Burke, Garden Shop Assistant meets a new friend at Fall Family Day

NEW staff

C O N S E RVATI O N G E N ETI C I ST Joins the Conservation and Research Team The Garden is pleased to welcome Kristen Lehman, Ph.D. as our new Conservation Geneticist and Lab Manager. We are thrilled to have her here!

Kristen comes to the Garden most recently from the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., where she managed an internationally-known conservation genetics lab. Originally from California, Kristen received her bachelor’s degree from the University of San Diego, master’s from San Diego State University, and Ph.D. from Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden/Claremont Graduate University. In addition to being stellar in the lab, she’s a world-expert on Cryptantha and closely-related plant genera in the borage family, as well as Varronia, a group of woody, tropical borage relatives.

3/ Garden Docent Emily Myers leads a school tour 4/ Lisa Stratton and Jean Schuyler at the Garden to Table Dinner in the Redwoods 5/ Garden volunteers Mary Sadeghian and Deedy King enjoy the Fall Native Plant Sale preview party 6/ Stephanie Calloway, Garden Conservation Technician, gives a tour of the Seed Bank to Montecito Bank & Trust women investors 7/ Gardener Geege Ostroff & Garden volunteer Sam Babcock at the Fall Native Plant Sale

TH E GAR D E N I S P LEAS E D to WE LC O M E

SAMANTHA L. DAVI S to the B OAR D O F TR U STE ES

Samantha (Sammy) currently serves as the Undergraduate Research Programs Coordinator at the Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships, at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), as Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Moorea Coral Reef Long Term Ecological Research Program at UCSB, and as a Lecturer for the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology at UCSB. Originally from San Diego, Sammy attended UCSB to earn her bachelor’s in Aquatic Biology and French, followed by a Ph.D. in Ecology. Evolution, and Marine Biology.

Sammy’s interests include conservation, sustainable resource management and preservation of ecosystems.

As an educator, Sammy strives to get students involved in hands on activities, to help fuel a connection to their environment. Sammy looks forward to supporting the Garden’s conservation research and education endeavors and helping the Garden become a dynamic member of the community.

“Everything is connected,” said Sammy. “I want to people to feel connected to their environment, and want to be involved with thinking about how we as humans can be better stewards for the planet as a whole. The Garden provides the platform to become an environmental steward.”

In her free time, Sammy enjoys cooking, reading, traveling and being outdoors.

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WINTER IN THE GARDEN continued from page 3

The Strange

There are literally hundreds of native species that bloom during the winter months in California and more that, given the right conditions, will flower at this time of year as well. Bruce Reed, Garden Horticulturist says, “If rains are early and plentiful, a surprising amount of species may begin to bloom as early as November-December, such as hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea), chaparral nightshade (Solanum xanti), bush sunflower (Encelia californica), and canyon sunflower (Venegasia carpesioides).” That’s a huge number of plants, a winter display unlike any other in the whole country.

Here is a list to a few of the most remarkable, and most showy of winter bloomers.

Dutchman’s Pipe Aristolochia californica

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The Bold

This native, sprawling vine is one of the most unusual of winter bloomers and quite uncommon in landscape settings. Dutchman’s pipe does best in shady, moist areas and its green, heart shaped leaves go deciduous in winter, but just as the leaves disappear the most bizarre flowers take their place. Now it is true, the flowers are not the most colorful, but as the name implies, they have a very curious and fun shape almost exactly like a corncob pipe, reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes mixed with a carnivorous pitcher plant. The flowers appear in January and last until April.

Coast Silk-Tassel Garrya elliptica Another unique winter bloomer is the coast silk-tassel, native to coastal ranges all along California. This handsome, evergreen shrub does excellent in landscape settings and is prized for its naturally neat growing habit. Though in appearance it is quite similar to an oak hedge, what sets it apart is its flowers which begin blooming in January and only last for a month or two. The flowers burst forth in clusters that cascade

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downward and appear, just as the name suggests, as long greyish-green tassels.

Giant Coreopsis Leptosyne gigantea The giant coreopsis is one of my personal favorites and during the winter months it practically coats the hillsides around Pt. Mugu. If you haven’t ventured there to see them bloom then I urge you to do yourself a favor and go! During the dry summer this plant is nothing more than a bare, somewhat peculiar looking stump, just a large wooden club sticking straight out of the ground. When the rains return, however, it undergoes a wondrous transformation and big bunches of bright green, succulent leaves erupt from the stump’s top like an emerald pom-pom.

Following shortly after there appears clusters of large, yellow daisy flowers. It is truly a spectacular plant and you can’t help but be cheered by its joyous glow.

Brittlebush Encelia farinosa This adorable, small, mounding shrub is striking all on its own, even when it’s not in bloom. Its fragrant leaves are a beautiful silvery-grey with a hint of green and can add exceptional contrast

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Fuchsia-flowered Gooseberry Ribes speciosum Truly bold, the fuchsia-flowered gooseberry is another of my personal favorites and widely considered to be one of the most stunning blooming native shrubs in all of California; although be cautioned, this beauty comes armed with a horde of thorns. This gooseberry desires full to part shade and needs no summer water. In fact, too much water during the summer will swiftly kill it. During the dry season it is an unassuming bramble of leafless twigs and thorns but come winter delightful waxy green leaves return as does an absolute profusion of gorgeous fuchsiared flowers that dangle from every branch. Its bright crimson blooms stand in such stark contrast to the deep rich green of its leaves that it is impossible to not stop and gawk at this showy shrub. On top of it all, hummingbirds adore the flowers just as much as we do, and all sorts of birds eat its tiny berries.

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The Superstar Manzanitas Arctostaphylos The real showstopper and usually the first to come to mind as far as winter bloomers go is the mighty manzanita. There are hundreds of varieties in a range of shapes, sizes and colors – it is little wonder this versatile native is often the centerpiece of many California gardens. Its leaves can be deep emerald to a bright lime green, or even a silvery blue to sometimes even a rustic yellow-red. They come in every size imaginable, from a spreading carpet, to a mounding shrub, even to a towering sub-tree. They are perhaps most renowned for their peeling cinnamon, russet red bark which contrasts brilliantly with their foliage. Come winter time, clusters of delicate white to pinkish-white urn-shaped flowers burst forth in great numbers. Indeed, Bruce describes, “At peak bloom a shrub can be nearly covered in clusters of small flowers,” and adds that, “often the show is about how available resources were over the previous nine months.” All those spent flowers coat the ground beneath the manzanita and look almost like a light dusting of snow.

Hummingbirds and bees love the blooms and the flowers even have a gentle, very pleasing fragrance. Manzanitas truly are the superstars of a winter garden.

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in landscape settings. Brittlebush is native to the desert southwest and so it prefers sandy, well-draining soil. They bloom January through May. Its golden daisy flowers appear on long stalks and, with the help of deadheading, can positively enshroud the whole bush on a good year. Brittlebush can be pruned in fall to retain its compact, bushy shape.

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1 giant coreopsis 2 Dutchman’s pipe 3 coast silk tassel 4 manzanita 5 brittlebush 6 fuchsia-flowered gooseberry

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ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID SANTA BARBARA, CA PERMIT NO. 451

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 1212 Mission Canyon Road Santa Barbara, CA 93105-2126 sbbg.org • (805)682-4726

Japanese Teahouse Experience the compelling artistry of a centuries-old practice, presented in an intimate, natural setting.

D. MATSUMOTO

Treat yourself and your guests to the beauty and serenity of a traditional Japanese tea gathering. Our authentic Japanese teahouse, presented in a uniquely Californian tea garden, is nestled among magnificent coast live oaks and natural rock outcroppings in a secluded section of the Garden. Your hosts will be Mme. Sokyo Kasai, Urasenke Certified First-Degree Instructor, and her students.

Available for private ceremonies (up to 8 people) Price upon request

Interested in supporting the Teahouse renovation? Contact Stephanie Linder at slinder@sbbg.org or (805) 682-4726, ext.133

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‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE GIVING! Gifts abound in...

the

GARDEN SHOP

GAR DEN S HOP HOU RS: MAR – OCT: 10 a m – 5 : 3 0 p m N OV – F E B: 10 a m – 4 : 3 0 p m (805) 682-4726,

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