IronwoodQuarterly Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Volume 21, Number 1 Spring 2013

Volume 21, Number 1 Spring 2013Ironwood

Quarterly Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Become enraptured by the sights and soundsIn intrigue of nature’s beauty

Come along with meAnd take it all in”

~Van Morrison, excerpted from ‘Come Here My Love’

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Experience Nature as Art! Visit the Huntingtun Library for When They Were Wild which includes art from the Garden’s special collections.

Try a Change of Scenery! The Garden offers botanical train trips, aerial flights to the Channel Islands, and week-long bus vacations to gorgeous locations.

Explore Our Backyard!The Porter Trail features stunning views of the Channel Islands and Santa Ynez Mountains, rampant wildflowers, and a gorgeous hiking trail.

Get Inspired! Cultivating the Wild: Native Gardens of Montecito—join the Garden for this exclusive tour.

Bring Home Beauty!Purchase native plants during the Garden’s Spring Plant Sale.

5 Ways to Celebrate the Beauty of Natives

Photo: John Wardlaw, Gabbert residence

2 Spring 2013Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

tel (805) 682-4726 – fax (805) 563-0352www.sbbg.org

Garden Hours:

March — OctoberDaily 9:00am - 6:00pmNovember — FebruaryDaily 9:00am - 5:00pm

Garden Shop Hours: (Ext. 112)

March — OctoberDaily 10:00am - 5:30pmNovember — February

Daily 10:00am - 4:30pm

Garden Growers Nursery: (Ext. 127)Open on a self-serve basis during

Garden Shop hours.Staffed by volunteers 10:00am - 3:00pm daily

Class and Event Information: (Ext. 102)Registrar is available Tuesday — Friday

9:00am - 4:00pm

Volunteer Office: (Ext. 119)Call for information on volunteer opportunities.

Master Gardener Helpline: (805) 893-3485

IRONWOOD

Volume 21, Number 1 - Spring 2013ISSN 1068-4026

The Ironwood is published four times a year 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 is a Member of the American Public Gardens Association, the American Association of Museums, and the California Association of Museums.

©2013 Santa Barbara Botanic GardenAll rights reserved.

Board of TrusteesChair John Brinker

Vice-Chair Gary RobinsonSecretary Carolyn Kincaid HendersonTreasurer James Koopmans, CPA

Sue AdamsMargaret BakerPatrick ConnellyLeslie DeardorffJohn GabbertElizabeth KeateAmy MillerCharles J. Rennie, III, MDPeter SchuylerThe Rev. Ann SymingtonJohn M. Wiemann, Ph.D.

Follow the Garden

Director’s MessageSubtitle Here

Sincerely,

Steve Windhager, Ph.D.Executive Director

www.facebook.com/sbgardenwww.youtube.com/sbbotanicgarden

on web the

Director’s MessageEnjoy the Natural Beauty of CaliforniaThe theme of this month’s Ironwood is beauty—a perfect topic when discussing California’s native flora. Spring is the time of year when many of these plants really show off—timing their blooms and floral displays after our plentiful winter rains. Manzanita and ceanothus bloom in early spring, followed by Iris, sage, and of course, the seemingly ever-present California Poppy.

Spring is a very busy time for the Garden. In addition to the recent reopening of the Campbell Bridge (HURRAY!), adding more photos and information to our redesigned

website, final planning stages of our new landscape master plan, and construction plans for the new Pritzlaff Conservation Building nearing completion (WHEW!), the warming weather brings us more visitors. Staff and volunteers work all winter to make sure we are ready with great opportunities for everyone to experience California’s native plants in the spring.

Beginning in March, we have our tenth annual Orchid Show Gala—a wonderful opportunity to experience the beautiful orchids, up close and personal, without having to elbow your way through the crowds. Throughout the spring, Steve Junak will again lead trips up the Central Coast via train—not only the best way to see private ranches and Vandenberg Air Force Base, but also the most civilized, as the food, wine and other refreshments aboard the historic dome car are second to none. For the more adventurous, we have several day trips to Anacapa Island, offering the chance to see the giant coreopsis and other wildflowers in bloom.

April brings our Spring Plant Sale and, on April 14, Cultivating the Wild, our third annual native garden tour. This year’s tour features the native plant gardens of Montecito. Five exclusive gardens highlight the use of native plants in their landscapes in a variety of ways, but all with a huge amount of “Wow Factor.” You will not want to miss it. As always, sprinkled throughout the spring, we have fantastic classes, walks, and wine & cheese lectures. And if you make it down to LA on June 1st, don’t miss the Huntington’s exhibition, When They Were Wild, featuring botanical illustrations by Elisabeth Hallowell Saunders, Mary Hood, and Henry Mockel from SBBG’s special collections. I look forward to seeing you in the Garden or on our trips, enjoying all the beauty California has to offer.

Sincerely,

Steve Windhager, Ph.D.Executive Director

Ironwood by Email Count: 272 and CountingThank you for your choice to go paperless by receiving this newsletter electronically. In doing so, you save the costs, both financial and environmental, of converting trees into paper and ultimately keeping them out of the landfill.

Haven’t made the choice yet? Try receiving the Ironwood by mail AND email until you are ready to ditch the print version. And remember, we never sell or share any of your information—ever. Call (805) 682-4726 ext 110 or email lmuasher@sbbg.org to give it a try.

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Many thanks to our lead sponsor:

Even if you can’t make the Gala, be sure to purchase raffle tickets for your chance to win our first Beach and Botanic Vacation Package. The seed for this venture was planted many months ago when the Garden’s Executive Director, Dr. Steve Windhager began having conversations with Neil Gerlowski, Executive Director of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens in Mexico about both gardens’ shared research and focus on natives. With Puerto Vallarta being Santa Barbara’s Sister City, an across-the-border collaboration seemed natural. Soon a new benefit was created, allowing members from each garden to have reciprocal membership privileges. To jump start this new development, the gardens created matching vacation packages.

Once a year, we invite friends of the Garden to party for our cause and that time is almost here. If you have not already made your reservations for the 10th Annual Orchid Show Gala, head to

the phone right now! As gala veterans know, this fundraiser is uniquely staged amidst the spectacular, award-wining displays of the International Orchid Show. This year, we are celebrating with the theme Natives in Bloom in honor of the extraordinary beauty present in our own California landscapes this time of year.

Dress colorfully and join us as we celebrate past accomplishments of the Garden and raise funds for its bright future. Individual tickets are $85 or $160 per couple. Form your own group and of six and become a Coral Root Orchid/Table Host Sponsor for $600. Need a bigger table? Participate as a Lady Slipper Orchid/Benefactor and bring a party of 8 for $1,000.

Photo: courtesy of Vallarta Botanic Gardens, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Saturday, March 9, 6:30pM - 9:30pM; Earl WarrEn ShoWgroundS

It’s not too late!

To purchase Orchid Show Gala tickets or become a sponsor call 805-682-4726, ext. 102 or visit www.sbbg.org. Our reservation deadline is March 6.

Make your reservation today.

our BEach and Botanic Vacation rafflE includES:

• Roundtrip air for two between LAX and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

• Three nights: at the Presidente InterContinental Puerto Vallarta Resort

• A private, after-hours tour of the famous Mexican native plant collections of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens (www.vbgardens.org)

…and EScapE to puErto Vallarta

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Buy your raffle tickets todayTickets are $20 each or three for $50. All proceeds benefit the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 805-682-4726, ext. 102.

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Nature’s beauty surrounds us. Breathe in the wonders of spring and celebrate nature’s bounty. Whether heading off on an adventure—by plane, bus, or train,

the Garden has something for everyone. Visit the world-renowned Huntington Library to view the Garden’s botanical

art exhibition, glean inspiration from our exclusive native plant garden tour, purchase your own beauties at our Plant Sale, or

stroll in an oft-overlooked area of the beloved Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. We encourage you to come along and become enraptured.

Photo: Tricia Wardlaw, Gabbert Residence

Cultivating the Wild: Native Gardens of MontecitoBy Judy Sanregret, Director of Education

Coordinated by Garden Trustee Sue Adams, the tour includes five spectacular Montecito estates featuring California native plants in their landscapes. This inspirational and educational event elevates the appreciation and use of natives in sustainable landscape design, and allows guests to visit exclusive gardens showcasing their beautiful and unique features and seamless integration of outside and inside living spaces. Several of the gardens will have homeowners or landscape designers present to share stories and answer questions.

Guests will be greeted by knowledgeable SBBG Docents and UCCE Master Gardeners at each garden for personalized tours. Participants will be driven in shuttles with guides sharing background information about each site. Beverages and treats will grace the outdoor living areas. Each home reflects sustainable building designs, and provides a wonderful backdrop to their beautiful native plant gardens. The architectural styles of the homes range from contemporary to an original adobe. Please see Leaves of Learning on page 9 for reservations and details.

Porter TrailBy Barbara Backlund, Visitor Service Manager

No truer words were spoken, especially in relation to the Garden’s Porter Trail. Just a quarter mile in length, this trail offers the finest view of the Channel Islands in the Garden. The Porter Trail was the home of the Ceanothus Section before it was heavily

damaged in the 2009 Jesusita Fire, and is still a great place to view seasonal wildflowers

and a variety of flowering shrubs. Established in 1958, the Porter Trail was named after William Stratton

Porter. Mr. Porter, a Trustee from 1957-1963, also served as President of the Garden from 1961 through 1963. His gift of stock, and the proceeds from its sale, were used to establish the Porter Trail Fund. The beautiful Porter Trail will always be a favored spot in the Garden and a tribute to his memory. Please see Leaves of Learning page 7 for docent-led tour information.

Spring Plant Sale Starts with a Roar in March!By Bruce Reed, Nursery Manager

With thousands of plants from the many habitats of California, the Garden’s annual sales dwarf all other native plant events. Come for easy shopping as the Garden’s courtyard is filled with a huge selection of manzanita, ceanothus, sage, and coral bells, to name just a few. A small number of Matilija poppy and flannel bush will also be available. Iris will be in bud or bloom, allowing you a sneak peek at their beautiful colors before you buy!

The first day of the Spring Plant Sale is Friday, March 29 and is exclusively for Garden members. On this day, members receive an extra 5% off on plant purchases (pottery, feeders and other hard goods are not included), giving members a 15% total discount! Please show your membership card at the register and mention this special. The Sale opens to the public on Saturday, March 30 and continues through April 30. Get these little lambs into your garden and established before the heat of summer arrives!Photo: Bruce Reed, Iris

5 Ways to Celebrate the Beauty of Natives

“The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast and you miss all you are traveling for”.

~ Louis L’Amour

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Photo: Jennifer Foster, Z’s the Day Photography

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Photos: Steve Junak, Silver Splendor dome car

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4The Education Department will once again offer an enticing assortment of car, bus, boat, and train trips to satisfy the interests of every kind of garden traveler. Discovering the forgotten landscapes of the Central Coast has never been easier or more relaxing than in the Silver Splendor’s private dome car, restored to its original 1956 style and comfort. Garden botanist Steve Junak and staff lead this entertaining train ride from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo and back, with an on-board lunch including wine, beer, or soft drinks. Passengers get a unique glimpse at the scenic coastal landscapes not seen from the highway. Trips are scheduled for March, April, and May.

The Garden will also have two Plant Hunter Adventure day trips to see the most spectacular wildflower displays within a few hours’ drive of Santa Barbara. Steve Junak will lead the first trip to the Burton Mesa area near Lompoc on April 2nd, and the location of the second trip on April 30 is yet to be determined. The twelve-person vans will have Garden staff aboard to narrate and teach participants about our local wildflowers.

The Channel Islands are just a short boat ride away. Anacapa Island is famous for its glorious displays of giant coreopsis in the spring, as well as nesting sea birds by the thousands. Join Steve Junak as he leads a day trip to Anacapa. Upcoming expeditions in 2013 include a bus trip to the White Mountains, car trips to the desert, and to the redwood and conifer forests of Northern California. If you haven’t taken a Garden trip lately, this is the year to do it! Please see Leaves of Learning for details about all Garden trips.

Garden Artworks On Exhibit Near and Far: Spring Exhibits Not to be MissedBy Nina Dunbar, Associate Director of Development & Tricia Wardlaw, Collections Manager

Did you know the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden owns hundreds of rare and historically-significant works of botanic art? Since the Garden’s founding in 1926, paintings, drawings, prints, and even sculptures have been added to our collection along with rare books, manuscripts, and periodicals. Our long-range goal is to create a permanent exhibition room to display revolving shows of the collection. For now, art fans will be able to see some of these works in two shows this spring. Opening March 9 and continuing through June 10, 2013, the Huntington in Pasadena will feature works from the Garden’s collection by Elisabeth Hallowell Saunders (1861-1910), Mary Hood (1882-1967), and Henry Mockel (1905-1981) in an exhibit titled When They Were Wild: Recapturing California’s Wildflower Heritage.

Garden Executive Director, Steve Windhager is particularly excited to see these works on display. “Having our artwork shown in high-profile exhibitions helps promote the historical and scientific importance of our botanic art to broader audiences. I am looking forward to our staff forging new collaborations with both the Huntington and other venues with the goal of hosting shows of their artworks here at the Garden in the future.”

When They Were Wild is a new partnership between the Huntington, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, and the Theodore Payne Foundation. Curated by Kitty Connolly of the

Huntington, the exhibit showcases California’s diverse native flora from its origins to the present, using more than 200 artworks, illustrations, plant specimens, publications, and ephemera.

To experience some of the Garden’s works closer to home, SBBG will display A Celebration of California Wildflowers: Art from the Blaksley Library for the month of April which coincides with California Native Plant Week and our peak wildflower season. Check out these seldom seen drawings, watercolors, and prints on display in the Library during your next visit to the Garden.

(Please check www.sbbg.org for specific dates and times, and see Leaves of Learning page 10 for our bus trip to the Huntington Library.)

When They Were Wild: Recapturing California’s Wildflower HeritageMarch 9 – June 10, 2013Marylou and George Boone GalleryThe Huntington Library Art Collections & Botanic Garden1151 Oxford RoadSan Marino, CA 91108www.huntington.org

A Celebration of California Wildflowers: Art from the Blaksley LibraryApril 2-26, 201310:00am - 2:00pmTuesday - FridayThe Blaksley LibrarySanta Barbara Botanic Garden1212 Mission Canyon RoadSanta Barbara, CA, 93105www.sbbg.org

Henry Mockel, Desert MariposaMary Hood, Lilium humboldtii

Botanical Adventures: Exploring California’s BiodiversityBy Judy Sanregret

6 Spring 2013

Bonsai Exhibition & SaleBy Tom Post, Bonsai Club of Santa Barbara

The skillfully trained miniature trees of the Bonsai Club of Santa Barbara will be on display in the Blaksley

Library in May. Visitors will view bonsai, a tokonoma (the Japanese term for a formal display of bonsai), accessory plant, and Japanese scroll in an alcove. In the Courtyard, guests may engage with Bonsai Club members, view native California plants in bonsai form, and purchase a bonsai of their own.Bonsai demonstrations will take place at 1:00pm both Saturday and Sunday.

Bonsai loosely translates to “tree in tray,” which, if you ask any bonsai grower, is too simple a definition. The amount of attention needed to care for the trees while manipulating their growth makes them an art form. The tree is never in a finished state, only in the best state for the moment. The age is hard to tell, but all bonsai leaves are in proportion to the small trunk and branches. Bonsai is also known for intricate ceramic tree containers.

The roots of bonsai trace back to Indian and Chinese Buddhists who called bonsai Penjing. As many Japanese immigrated westward so did the art form. Slowly, intrigued westerners drew bonsai teachers outside of exclusive Japanese circles. Teacher John Yoshio Naka lent his skills to Santa Barbara’s Bonsai Club. His popularity growing, Mr. Naka trained his students to oversee the group. The Bonsai Club, started in 1971, cultivates a learning environment where students of all levels grow. Today, the club’s oldest tree is one hundred years old and on its third owner. Some members have just begun and others have forty years of experience. The club is open to everyone.

The club meets on Tuesday evenings and beginners are welcome. To become a bonsai artist, contact Tom Post (805) 964-2717 and check out the Bonsai Club website www.santabarbarabonsai.org.

Photos top to bottom: Don Matsumoto & SBBG Library Collection

Photo of John Yoshio Naka courtesy of Bonsai Club of Santa Barbara

ShinKanAn Teahouse 10th Anniversary CelebrationSaturday, May 4, 11:30am - 3:00pmSunday, May 5, 10:00am - 2:00pm

In June, 2003 the Garden’s Teahouse was officially inaugurated as an Urasenke Teahouse in a special ceremony and was named ShinKanAn, or “Look Through the Heart,” in honor of Heartie Anne Look for all of her contributions to Japanese

culture for the people of Santa Barbara. This year, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden celebrates the 10-year anniversary of ShinKanAn with special activities on May 4 and 5. On Saturday, May 4, guests may join us for a tea offering with tours of the Teahouse before and after the ceremony at Noon or 2:00pm (assigned). Matcha (finely ground green tea) and traditional sweets will be served on the Arbor Terrace. This event is limited to 100 guests. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 non-members. On Sunday, May 5, the Teahouse will host an “open house” with ongoing tea ceremony demonstrations by tea school students from 10:00am to 2:00pm. In addition, the Santa Barbara Bonsai Club will exhibit California native plant bonsai (see adjacent story on this page). Every second saturday of the month from Noon - 2:00pm visitors and members are welcome to experience our ShinKanAn Teahouse and Garden. Trained Teahouse volunteers are available to answer questions about the rich traditions of the Japanese tea ceremony.

Free with Santa Barbara Botanic Garden admissionSaturday, May 18, 11am - 4pm Sunday, May 19, 9am - 4pm

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CALENDAR OF CLASSES, EVENTS, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT THE GARDENRegister for classes at www.sbbg.org, call 682-4726 x 102, or email registrations@sbbg.org.

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Leaves of LearningMARCH

Docent-led Specialty Tour: Exploring the Porter TrailSaturday, March 2 at 2:00pmNo reservations needed. Free with paid Garden admission.

Citizen Science Workshop: The California Phenology Project Saturday, March 2, 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Join Dr. Susan Mazer and Dr. Liz Matthews from UCSB for this fun and informative workshop designed to introduce participants to the science of phenology—the study of seasonal cycles in plants and animals—and how it’s used to track the effects of climate change on our diverse landscapes. Come and learn how you can participate in the Santa Barbara region and contribute to an important scientific effort to collect phenological data across the state and nation. Open to California Naturalists, citizen scientists, educators, and nature enthusiasts with no experience needed. More information at www.usanpn.orgReservations required.

Fee: Free to members / non-members

Wild for Watercolors!6 Fridays, March 8 – April 12, 11:00am – 2:00pm

Capture the structure and beauty of native wildflowers in vibrant watercolors! JoAnn McGeever Metzger teaches differing techniques to add texture and depth to paintings. Learn how to mix colors to capture each plant’s unique character. Beginning and advanced students are welcome; materials for the first class are provided.

Fee: $95 members / $110 non-members

Anacapa Island: Celebrate the Spring WildflowersTuesday, March 12, 9:30am – 4:00pm

Each spring the Anacapa Island flora blooms in rainbows, ranging from the bright red of Indian paintbrush to the vibrant yellow of giant coreopsis. Join SBBG botanist and Island expert Steve Junak for this memorable land and sea adventure with dolphins, whales, sea lions, and a variety of shore birds often observed during the channel crossing from Ventura.

Note: Participants must be in good physical condition—able to climb 150 steep stairs to the island plateau. Bring lunch, water, and hiking shoes. Participants will be given meeting instructions with reservations.

Fee: $85 members / $100 non-members

Living Desert: Book Signing and LectureFriday, March 15, 5:00pm – 7:00pm

The Garden welcomes Dana Buckley, an award-winning New York photographer, to celebrate the release of her second fine art photography book, Dana Buckley: Living Desert. For over 27 years, Dana traveled to some of the nation’s most undiscovered terrain and captured plant life thriving in highly rugged conditions, including cactuses, agaves, aloes, and other shrubs. A great deal of the plant life in Dana’s book was captured in California, including Santa Barbara, Palm Desert and Yucca Valley. Books will be available for purchase in the Shop, and wine and cheese will be served.

Fee: $15 members / $25 non-members

Lady Bug Launch PartySaturday, March 16, 10:00am – Noon

Many people are fond of ladybugs because of their colorful, spotted appearance, but farmers and gardeners love them for their appetite. Most ladybugs voraciously consume plant-eating insects, such as aphids, and in doing so they help to protect our plants. Bring the family for this fun morning in the Garden to learn more about ladybugs, and watch them fly into their new wildflower meadow homes as we launch them into the sky!

Fee: $5 member adults or children / $10 non-member adults or children

SBBG Book Discussion GroupMonday, March 18, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

We will discuss a non-fiction book on an environmental topic. To reserve a spot or get more information, contact Betsy Green at bjgreen07@gmail.com.

Fee: Free for members / non-members

Spring Morning Bird Walk Wednesday, March 20, 8:30am – 10:00am

Be the first morning visitors in the Garden and enjoy watching the diverse and beautiful bird species who make the Meadow, wood-lands, and creekside their home! Join our experienced naturalist leader, Rebecca Coulter, as she looks and listens for woodpeckers and quail, wrens and raptors, and many more.

Fee: $5 members / $10 non-members

California Native Plant Society Thursday, March 21, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Please join us in welcoming the local Channel Islands chapter of the California Native Plant Society to the Garden as we host their Santa Barbara area meetings in the Blaksley Library. 6:30pm - 7:00pm is a social time and a chance to bring plants to ID, or exchange native plants from your garden. Lecture begins promptly at 7:00pm, and covers a variety of local and state issues and topics.

Fee: Free to members / non-members

The Amazing Geology of Santa Barbara County: Haskell’s Beach West Sunday, March 24, 12:30pm – 4:00pm

Join local expert Susie Bartz for a walk at low-tide from Haskell’s Beach to the west, going up the coast toward Naples. The walk is about 3.5 miles, mostly on sand but over some beautiful bedrock areas. We’ll explore geology and some tidepools, including the seacliffs’ volcanic ash beds, estuaries, an ancient submarine landslide exposed in the cliff, sandcastle worm and limpet colonies, and the oil industry presence. And maybe a whale fossil with any luck! Bring water, hat, sturdy shoes, a walking stick for bedrock areas, and curiosity.

Fee: $30 members / $45 non-members

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Early Spring Time Travelers: Private Dome Car Botanical Day Trip 3 Saturdays, April 6; May 4, 18 10:00am – 5:00pm

Join SBBG’s Steve Junak for a rare glimpse of some of the original native coastal landscapes in southern California. The trip begins at the Santa Barbara train depot where you will ride in style aboard a beautifully restored Vista Dome Lounge-Dining Car (built in 1956) for a narrated scenic adventure along a beautiful coastline and through several historic ranchos (which cannot be seen from Highway 101). We will travel through Gaviota, the Hollister Ranch, the Cojo Ranch (including Point Conception), and Vandenberg Air Force Base (including the Sudden Ranch), and the Guadalupe/Oceano Dunes region. Learn about the area’s rich human and natural history before stopping in San Luis Obispo. We will have a catered buffet lunch onboard (including beer, wine, and soft drinks), and change levels and sides for a new and different view on the way back home. What an extraordinary way to spend the day with your SBBG friends and staff.

Trip will go rain or shine. Children 12 and over only.

Fee: $140 members / $165 non-members

Book Launch Celebration: Yards: Turn Any Outdoor Space into the Garden of Your Dreams by Billy GoodnickSunday, April 7, 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Do you dream of outdoor living spaces that really work? Wish you had a best buddy who was also a design pro? Award-winning landscape architect Billy Goodnick, (aka Garden Wise Guy) is here to help you plan the perfect outdoor environment, unique to your family’s lifestyle. Yards is brimming with design secrets and money-saving tips, with an emphasis on low maintenance, enjoyability, and just plain beauty. Kick back with Billy and discover how easy it can be to design like a pro. Join us in the Library and Courtyard to learn how Billy’s new book will inspire you. Listen to Billy share his entertaining stories, while enjoying his favorite local microbrews and sassy salsas, guacamole, and chips.

Fee: $15 members / $25 non-members

What’s all the Buzz About? A Bee Celebration!Seminar: Saturday, April 13, 10:00am – Noon

Join Dr. Gordon Frankie, a professor and research entomologist in the Division of Insect Biology, College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, for this fun and informative seminar about bees and bee-loving plants. A powerpoint presentation on the ecology and behavior of native bees in urban CA gardens will be shown and an overview of nesting requirements will lead to a discussion of habitat gardening for bee pollinators and other flower visitors. Learn key characteristics for identifying the common bee groups with demonstration material. Participants will use the Meadow for field observation of some of the items discussed in the classroom. Gordon’s specialty is behavioral ecology of solitary bees in wildland and urban environments of California and Costa Rica.

Students will also meet the Santa Barbara Beekeepers Association to learn more about our local bees. The Master Gardeners will discuss how to plant native habitat gardens and participants can purchase bee-loving plants during the Garden’s Spring Plant Sale in the Courtyard, or delicious honey, and creative beeswax products in the Garden Shop!

Fee: $ 30 members / $ 45 non-members

Under Desert Skies: Exploring Natural History Near Old Palm Springs Monday, March 25 – Thursday, March 28

Join the Garden’s Docent and Naturalist Cathy Rose and Director of Conservation, Dr. Dieter Wilken for a 4 day / 3 night botanical adventure to Palm Springs. Late March is the perfect time to experience the beauty and wonder of desert plants and wildflowers. Day hikes may include Tahquitz Canyon, 1000 Palms, and the forest at the top of the Aerial Tramway. Guests will travel by personal car to the historic Casa Cody Inn, with its 27 charming single-story accommodations ranging from single or double rooms, to studios and suites with kitchens, including a continental breakfast. Hotel reservations will be the responsibility of each participant and can be made at casacody. com. Day trips and hikes will be followed by relaxing around the pool or sharing a potluck meal. More information sent with reservation confirmation.

Fee: $225 members / $275 non-members

Citizen Science Field Opportunity: Mapping Rare Plants and Invasive Weeds in Northern Santa Barbara CountyTuesday, March 26, and/or Wednesday, April 3, 10:00am – 4:00pm

Participants in this class will be exploring natural areas near Lompoc, focusing on some of the trails in the Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve. The reserve comprises about 5,200 acres and supports a diverse native flora of at least 326 taxa, including 14 regional endemics. This is an opportunity to explore Burton Mesa’s maritime chaparral, identify the local plants, learn more about the distribution and habitat requirements of some of the County’s rare plants, and document populations of rapidly-spreading weeds like Saharan mustard (Brassica tournefortii) which are threatening rare species. Information gathered during the field trips will aid wildland managers in their plant conservation efforts. Participants may attend one or both trips. Limit: 15Fees: $25 members for one trip or $40 for both $30 non-members for one trip or $45 for both

Anacapa Island: Celebrate the Spring WildflowersFriday, March 29, 9:30am – 4:00pm See description of March trip on page 7.

Plant Hunters: In Search of the Wildest Spring Wildflowers2 Tuesdays: April 2 and/or 30, 9:00am – 4:00pm

Join us for two Garden forays to see the best displays within a day’s drive of Santa Barbara, in the comfort of a 12-passenger van. Leave the driving to us, and join leader Steve Junak as we choose the finest areas in terms of species diversity and sheer beauty for these adventures. Our first visit on April 2 will be to Burton Mesa near Lompoc, and the location for the 30th will be announced two weeks before the trip. Bring a sack lunch. Participants may also drive their own cars and follow the van.

Fee: $30 members / $45 non-members per trip driving own car $60 members / $75 non-members per trip in van

Docent-led Specialty Tour: California WildflowersSaturday, April 6, 2:00pmNo reservations needed. Free with paid Garden admission.

APRIL

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CALENDAR OF CLASSES, EVENTS, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT THE GARDENRegister for classes at www.sbbg.org, call 682-4726 x 102, or email registrations@sbbg.org.

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FEBRUARy

Leaves of LearningIronwood – Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 99 Spring 2013

CALENDAR OF CLASSES, EVENTS, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT THE GARDENRegister for classes at www.sbbg.org, call 682-4726 x 102, or email registrations@sbbg.org.

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FEBRUARy

Leaves of LearningIronwood – Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 9

Elbowing Out the Competition: A Lecture & DiscussionFriday, May 3, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Join the always entertaining Bruce Tiffney, Professor of Earth Sciences at UCSB and expert in the field of evolutionary botany, for a look at how land plants stretch on a rack between the soil-bound resources of water and nutrients, and the siren call of photons to create tall plants. There are, however, more ways of achieving height. Come learn a little plant anatomy and some interesting factoids about how plants have evolved to capture light and address gravity, both in the present day and through the past. Wine and cheese included.

Fee: $ 15 members / $25 non-members

Docent-led Specialty Tour: The Japanese Teahouse and Garden Exhibit Saturday, May 4, 2:00pm

You’re invited to the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Teahouse! See article on page 6.

Early Spring Time Travelers: Private Dome Car Botanical Day Trip Saturday, May 4 & 18 10:00am – 5:00pmSee description on page 8 for details.

Springtime on Santa Cruz Island Monday, May 6 through Thursday, May 9

Celebrate spring on the largest and most diverse of the California Channel Islands. The island’s rich flora includes almost 50 endemics not found on the mainland, and participants will encounter most of them! Along with the island’s endemic foxes and scrub jays, explore pine forests, wooded canyons, coastal headlands, deserted beaches, and isolated coves. Participants will stay in the island’s Central Valley, at the University of California’s rustic field station, which offers dorm-style accommodations, hot showers, and a full kitchen. Our group will explore the island on foot and in 4WD vehicles. Limited to 11 participants, who must be in good physical condition.

Fee: $425 members / $500 non-members

Building Backyard Wildlife Habitat GardensSaturday, May 11, 3:00pm – 5:00pm

The Garden is pleased to announce a lecture and book signing by California writer Nancy Bauer, author of the popular guide The California Wildlife Habitat Garden: How to Attract Bees, Butterflies, Birds and Other Animals. This practical guide explains how to transform backyard gardens into living ecosystems that are not only enjoyable retreats for homeowners, but also thriving sanctuaries for wildlife. Nancy will discuss simple practices for success, present beautiful examples of wildlife gardens, and tell participants how to create their own environmentally-friendly garden. Guests are invited to share wine and cheese, and Nancy will be signing her books, available for purchase in the Shop. Fee: $15 members / $25 non-members

California Native Plant Society Thursday, May 16, 6:30pm – 8:00pmSee description on page 8 for details.

MAy3rd Annual Santa Barbara Native Garden TourCultivating the Wild: Native Gardens of Montecito

Sunday, April 14, 9:00am – 5:00pmThis year’s tour will feature five spectacular private estates in Montecito, and highlights a variety of architectural styles, with unique outdoor rooms, sustainable garden design, and native plant landscapes. Guests will be driven by shuttles from the Westmont College parking lot. Knowledgeable Docents will guide guests through these exclusive gardens as well as the Gabbert’s remarkable contemporary home to experience its beauty and spectacular views. This annual fundraiser supports the conservation and education programs which help to bring Santa Barbara school children to the Garden. Reservations are limited. Directions and information will be sent upon reservation confirmation.

Fee: $55 members / $65 non-members

SBBG Book Discussion GroupMonday, April 15, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

We will discuss a non-fiction book on an environmental topic. To reserve a spot or get more information, contact Betsy Green at bjgreen07@gmail.com

Fee: free to members / non-members

The Wild Side of Santa Catalina IslandTuesday, April 16 through Friday, April 19

Celebrate spring on Santa Catalina Island, which is among the largest and most diverse of the California Channel Islands. Come explore the island’s interior valleys, wooded canyons, coastal headlands, and isolated beaches. Most of Catalina’s visitors only see the Avalon area and are unaware of the island’s vast interior and coastline. This unique trip will focus on the wild areas of the island. Participants will travel to Catalina by boat from the Los Angeles area and will stay at the Philip K. Wrigley Marine Science Center near Two Harbors and venture out daily on foot or in a van. Trip price includes ten meals and lodging in shared rooms. Participants must be in good physical condition and enjoy walking and exploring! Limit: 7 participants

Fee: $650 members / $800 non-members

Amazing Geology of Santa Barbara County: Figueroa MountainSaturday, April 20, 10:00am - 2:00pm

Join local expert Susie Bartz for a day on the mountain! Hike the Birabent Creek trail, as it winds its way up Figueroa’s northwestern shoulder toward Zaca Ridge. We’ll start with a view of the Little Pine Fault, then actually walk across it, passing 100 million years of Earth history! See how young valley sediments are thrust up vertically against exotic rocks from an ancient subduction zone. The creek offers samples of blueschist —a relatively rare metamorphic rock that isn’t seen on the road. Explore a Chumash village site of regional significance, and the flora that records past landslides and fires. The hike is about 3 miles roundtrip on mostly gentle slopes, with one steep descent to the creek and a couple of stream crossings. Bring water, hat, boots, snack lunch, and lots of curiosity. Hiking poles are recommended.

Fee: $ 30 members / $45 non-members

10 Spring 2013 10 Spring 2013

JULy

SBBG Book Discussion GroupMonday, May 20, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

We will discuss a non-fiction book on an environmental topic. To reserve a spot or get more information, contact Betsy Green at bjgreen07@gmail.com

Fee: free to members / non-members

Pine-Needle Baskets: A One-Day WorkshopSaturday, May 25, 9:00am – 2:30pm

The Garden will offer this unique opportunity to learn the basic techniques of designing a basket using local pine needles and raffia from professional artist Elizabeth Bear. Ms. Bear will discuss important points about gathering and preparing needles, different pine varieties, and how to preserve them. This exclusive workshop is limited to just 12 people so Elizabeth can provide individual attention to each participant. Participants should bring sharp scissors and a brown-bag lunch.

Fee: $95 members / $125 non-members

Pasadena’s Huntington Gardens & Library Day Trip When They Were Wild: Recapturing California’s Wildflower Heritage

Saturday, June 1, 9:00am -5:00pmThe Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is honored to provide several artworks of Elizabeth Hallowell Saunders, Mary Hood and Henry Mockel from the Blaksley Library Special Collections for this unique exhibition. A collaborative project of The Huntington, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, and the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants, When They Were Wild interprets the unique diversity of California flora from its origins to its current popularity. We will travel by Airbus to the Huntington and will have time to visit the newly-reopened Japanese Teahouse and Gardens, and other self-guided exhibits. Fees include transportation, snacks, and entry to the Huntington. Bring a sack lunch (cooler on board) or purchase at the Café.

Fee: $50 members / $65 non-members

The Amazing Conifers of Klamath: Botanical Adventures with the Hallers Saturday, June 15 through Sunday, June 23

Join Bob Haller and Nancy Vivrette on a tree-mendous trip to the Northwest corner of California. Visit this conifer-rich region of California and walk among the Giants. Travel from Santa Barbara to the North Coast to the summit of the Klamath Range and explore this botanical wonderland. Steve Junak will join the group for the species-rich Klamath and Siskiyou Ranges. See rare conifers, serpentine endemics, insectivorous plants, giant banana slugs, and possibly Bigfoot. Participants will travel by personal car and may take the first leg of the trip to the Coast Redwoods and Klamath from June 15-19, or the second leg of the trip from June 19-23, which travels through the Siskiyou Ranges, Lassen and Yosemite, or make the entire 9 day trip. A list of hotels and campgrounds will be sent with registration. Pre-Trip meeting Monday, June 10 at 6:00pm, Arroyo Room

Cost: ½ Trip (5 days) $250 members / $300 non-members Full trip (9 days) $350 members / $400 non members

JUNE

Spring WildflowersLocal Viewing Map & Guide

Find it at www.sbbg.org

Camp Wildflower Counselor OrientationWednesday, June 26, 4:00pm– 5:00pm

If you are a nature-loving teenager (age 14 or above) who enjoys working with children, apply to become a volunteer counselor at the Garden’s Camp Wildflower summer day camp. To request an application, please call the Education Program Coordinator at (805) 682-4726 ext. 102. Plan to attend the training and be available this summer, July 15-19. This volunteer position may count toward high school community service requirements.

CAMP WILDFLOWER: where the wild things grow(summer day camp for children ages 7-11)

Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19, 9:00am – 3:00pm

Come and visit our wild and wonderful Garden for a week of fun and learning. Hike, play games, and enjoy hands-on science, arts and crafts, and more. Explore our oak woodland, ponds, and creek; learn about birds, lizards, butterflies, and flowers. Space is limited and a limited number of scholarships are available.

Fee: $235 members / $285 non-members

The World’s Oldest Trees: Journey to California’s White Mountains

Tuesday, July 23 through Friday, July 26

Sit back and enjoy the ride! Please join us for a visit to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in California’s White Mountains. Explore the picturesque Owens Valley and learn about the human and natural history of the area with stops in Mono Lake and Bodie. Participants will travel from Santa Barbara in a 32-passenger bus and stay at the elegant and comfortable Creekside Inn in Bishop, California for 3 nights. The trip cost includes the bus charter, 3 nights at the Creekside Inn (double occupancy), 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and entry fees to Bodie and the museums. Led by Steve Junak, SBBG Educational Botanist.

Fee: $725 members (double occupancy) / $850 non-members (double occupancy)

Registration Deadline: June 25th

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• Keep track of important dates while learning about our beautiful native bees and the plants they pollinate. Our perpetual calendar features gorgeous photos and plenty of room for making notes!

• Learn more about our fascinating variety of native pollinators and all their benefits to your garden in the books Attracting Native Pollinators—Protecting North America’s Bees and Butterflies and The California Naturalist Handbook.

• Choose a pair of delightful bee earrings, or a whimsical bee watering can. And for a sweet treat, try our delicious, local wildflower honey.

May you “bee” happy!

Come see what’s abuzz in the Garden Shop!

Wine & Cheese Botanic Lecture Series 2013For its third year, the Wine and Cheese Botanic Lecture Series is bringing together some new and familiar friends for talks about our local ecology and building environment. This year’s topics include everything from bears to fennel, sustainable building to artful landscaping, vanishing wildlands to a pictorial history of the Garden. Each lecture begins with delicious appetizers, a wine tasting, and conversation with a local sponsoring vintner on the Garden’s Arbor Terrace. Lecture attendance is limited, so please reserve early. Consider introducing a friend to the Garden and inviting them to join you at one or more of these fascinating talks.

Lectures are Saturdays, each month from 3:00pm - 5:00pmThe Garden’s Arbor Terrace and Blaksley Library

Individual Lectures: Members $20 / Non-members $35Passport for entire series: Members $90/ Non-Members $160 (includes an individual membership).To register, visit www.sbbg.org or call (805) 682-4726, ext. 102.

Black Bears in the Neighborhood: Sightings and Behaviors of Ursus americanus in SoCalMarch 23Kate McCurdy, Manager Sedgwick Reserve Sponsor: Jaffurs Wine Cellars

Green Building in Santa BarbaraApril 27 Bryan Henson, President, Allen & Associates Construction and Advisor and Core Lecturer for UCSB Extension, Green Building and Sustainable Design Certificate program Sponsor: Kenneth Volk Vineyards

Bracken, Fennel, & Calochortus: What Santa Cruz Island Taught Me About How Nature WorksMay 25Steve Gliessman, Professor (retired), Ruth and Alfred E. Heller Agroecology, UC Santa CruzSponsor: Condor’s Hope Vineyard

A Big Dose of Isabelle GreenJune 29 Isabelle Greene, FASLA, Principal, Isabelle Greene and Associates, Inc.Sponsor: Telegraph Brewing Company

A Pictorial History of the Santa Barbara Botanic GardenJuly 27Betsy Collins, Director of Horticulture, SBBGSponsor: Pali Wine Co.

Not in My Backyard: Risks to Wildlands When Using Invasive Plants in LandscapingAugust 17John Knapp, Director of Native Ranch, Inc. and Board President, CA Invasive Plant CouncilSponsor: Riverbench Vineyard and Winery

Photo: Stacy Bloodworth

12 Spring 2013

Generously sponsored by

Annual Members PicnicVernal Equinox al fresco

Wednesday, March 20, 5:00pm – 7:00pmEnjoy the Garden after hours for community, dinner, and live music by Glendessary Jam. Dinner menu includes a variety of freshly prepared wraps, salads, assorted cheeses with crostini, a seasonal fruit display, and much more!

$14 for adults, $5 for children under 12Space is limited. Please RSVP by March 15 at www.sbbg.org or call(805) 682.4726 ext.102

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’”

~Robin Williams

National Public Gardens Day: My Life as a “Spokesmodel”By Billy Goodnick, photos courtesy Santa Barbara Public Gardens collaboration

Can you imagine Santa Barbara without its wealth of public gardens and open spaces? Sure, we’d still have the charming red tile roofs, glowing golden sandstone, and brooding blue

ocean—but it’s the green that speaks to me.

For more than half of my professional career the word “parks” appeared on my business card as I served as the Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department’s landscape architect. That’s why public gardens hold such a special place in my heart.

Imagine my delight last year when the collaborators of Santa Barbara’s first citywide partnership for National Public Gardens Day (NPGD) asked me to be their lovely “spokesmodel.” Here was an opportunity to introduce newbies and long-time fans alike to the charms—and abundance—of Santa Barbara’s public gardens

and parks. The event included participation from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Casa Del Herrero, Lotusland, Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, the Courthouse Gardens, Mission Santa Barbara’s Huerta Garden, AC Postel Rose Garden, Chase Palm Park, and more, with offers ranging from free or discounted admission to special docent tours to book signings to carousel rides to multi-garden bus excursions.

What was especially rewarding about the intense effort in the weeks leading up to last year’s event was working with so

many sincere, excited, imaginative professionals who were the epitome of enthusiasm and dedication. When the day was over, hundreds of people had enjoyed the richness of our local gardens. Our team discovered we’d done something no other city in the U.S. had attempted previously. We united non-profits and public agencies under one umbrella and created a unique gift for the community. In doing so, we turned the national spotlight on the

botanical bounty that is Santa Barbara, reminding everyone (and ourselves) of the rewards of living in this horticultural paradise.

American Public Gardens Association (APGA) and Rain Bird (national sponsors of the event) took notice of this unique collaboration and members from the Santa Barbara team will be speaking at two national conferences to discuss ways other cities can do the same in their town.

Photos, clockwise from left: A.C. Postel Rose Garden, Casa del Herrero, and Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens

Billy Goodnick is a Santa Barbara-based landscape architect, educator, columnist, blogger, and author of the recently released book, Yards: Turn Any Outdoor Space into the Garden of Your Dreams. Join us for Billy’s book signing and lauch party—find details on page 8 of Leaves of Learning.

Photos, clockwise from top left: Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, Lotusland, and Mission Santa Barbara

National Public Gardens Day

YOU SHOULD KNOW

This year National Public Gardens Day is on Friday, May 10, but Santa Barbara is celebrating our horticultural heritage for the entire month of May with lectures, events, special offers, and activities. Visit sbpublicgardens.org for details.

Ironwood – Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 13

Ask the Expert

Give bees diversity using appropriate native plants which flower throughout the yearAccording to UC Berkeley’s Gordon Frankie,

native plants are four times more likely to attract native bees than nonnative plants. Support the greatest variety and abundance of bees by planting species with overlapping blooming times to provide resources throughout the year. Choose at least three different pollinator plants each for spring, summer, and fall, and group a single species so that it forms a clump at least three feet in diameter. Bees like showy flowers with a strong scent, particularly those in blues and yellows. Bee-pollinated flowers also typically have landing platforms for their bumbly visitors—picture the complex shape of a lupine or the flat open head of a sunflower. Lastly, nectar guides (markings on the inside of the flower which indicate where the nectar and pollen are) are helpful. Penstemons and monkeyflowers are good examples.

Protect Bees from PesticidesOveruse of pesticides may be an even bigger problem in urban areas than agricultural lands, as folks may not follow the label directions closely, or might be inclined to think “more is better.” Indeed, studies have found higher pesticide concentrations in urban streams than in agricultural areas. Our native bees are even more sensitive to pesticides than European honey bees, as they tend to be smaller. Landscaping with a diversity of native plants which require fewer pesticides, is a great way to encourage not only pollinators, but beneficial predators and parasites who will provide natural pest control.

Give Bees a Habitat: Open, Undisturbed Groundor Nest SitesInsects are just like humans as they need both food and shelter. Most native North American bees are solitary, and provision their own nests. Most nest in the ground, where they dig their own tunnels. The rest either use existing tunnels in dead trees, or chew out the central pith of stems and twigs. You can help by leaving bare, well-drained soil and dead material, or by constructing an alternative—a wooden bumble bee box, nest block, or stem bundle.

To learn more, read Attracting Native Pollinators and The California Wildlife Habitat Garden, available at the Garden Shop, or register for Gordon Frankie’s April bee seminar and Nancy Bauer’s May habitat lecture (see Leaves of Learning, for details).

I’ve heard bees are important pollinators, and that many of them

are declining. How do I attract them to my garden?

Q:

A:Denise Knapp, Conservation Program Manager

conservation corner

This graceful shrub can grow up to six feet tall and is covered in cupped lilac-colored blossoms. Following over a century of impacts

by non-native animals, it was reduced to only two known locations on Santa Cruz Island, and listed as both state and federally endangered. An even further threat, these populations have very low genetic variation, which results in low seed set. Fortunately, it spreads readily from rhizomes (horizontal, underground stems).

Since 1995, the Garden has been working with U.S. Geological Survey biologists to protect this rare mallow through monitoring, research, and restoration, including life history studies, development of propagation protocols, and experimental recovery efforts which led to the discovery of two new populations on the island. While greenhouse studies revealed this plant can self-pollinate, it has much better seed set with insect pollination. In 2005, the team established four additional recovery populations, with plants cloned from three of the natural populations and fenced to exclude feral pigs. Today, these populations are flowering and three of the four total populations are expanding.

You can see this beautiful plant on the Channel Islands and at the Garden.

Photo: Dieter Wilken, Santa Cruz Island bush mallow (Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus)

santa cruz island bush mallowBy Denise Knapp

14 Spring 2013

Legacies are a Tradition at the Gardenn 1926, Anna Dorinda Blaksley Bliss used a planned gift to establish the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and sustain it long after she was gone. Today, over 85 years later, the Anna Blaksley Bliss Trust continues to contribute to the Garden’s annual budget.

In keeping with this tradition, the Garden established the Blaksley Bliss Society. Membership is open to those who have remembered the Garden in their will or estate plan, thereby making a uniquely personal and long-lasting commitment to its future.

This year, we will honor our society members with a luncheon on June 26. Please save the date.

If you are planning a gift to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden or would like additional information or assistance, please contact our development office at (805) 690-1697.

Thank you to all our wonderful supporters for helping the Garden achieve our ambitious year-end fundraising goal of $80,000—a 10% increase over the prior year. Your gifts support programs in horticulture, conservation, research, and education.

Ms. Sylvia AbualyMs. Michaela AckermanMr. & Mrs. Henry M. AdamsAecom Technology CorpMrs. Julia AllenMrs. Mary M. AnkenyArgonaut Charitable FoundationMr. & Mrs. Christopher AronsonMs. Linda L. AtchisonMaria Avila & Salvador de la MoraMrs. Cherie BaroniMr. & Mrs. Jerry W. BeaverMr. & Mrs. Ken BeneshMr. & Mrs. Ted BergstromMr. & Mrs. Geoff BloomingdaleMs. Rochelle BookspanMrs. Barbara BonadeoMr. & Mrs. John A. BrinkerMs. Nancy BullMr. & Mrs. Brian BurkeMr. & Mrs. Steve CarnetyMr. & Mrs. G. Donald ChandlerMr. & Mrs. Yvon ChouinardMr. & Mrs. John CohenMr. & Mrs. Peter R. ConnMr. & Mrs. A. Crawford CooleyMr. & Mrs. Frederic CoppinMr. Thomas CraveiroMr. & Mrs. Patrick CrotteauMr. Daniel L. CrottyRoy E. Crummer FoundationAnonymousDamitz, Brooks, NightingaleMr. Tom Dudley & Dr. Carla D’AntonioMr. & Mrs. Robert DaveyMr. & Mrs. Scott T. DeardorffMr. & Mrs. Bruce DefnetNaomi Donnelley & Joseph ButlerMr. & Mrs. Don ErdmanMr. & Mrs. Randall EvansMr. & Mrs. Lendon EversonMr. Kevin W. Farrell & Mr. CartierMr. Walt FidlerMr. & Mrs. Richard FortuneMr. & Mrs. George E. FrakesMrs. Susan FreundMrs. L.W. C. Frost IIIMr. & Mrs. Stanley FungMr. & Mrs. Edward FunstenMr. & Mrs. John GabbertMr. & Mrs. J. Thomas GerigMr. William J. Gibbons

Dr. & Mrs. Jerry D. GibsonMr. Jeb Gist & Ms. Jane MertensMr. & Mrs. Larry HammettMs. Pat Hardy & Ms. JoAnn BellMrs. Constance HarvieMs. Sue HawesMr. Kenneth R. HimesMs. Frances HolmesMichael Honer & Katherine MillerMrs. Loretta W. HubbardMr. & Mrs. Sean HutchinsonMr. & Mrs. S. R. JammalamadakaMr. & Mrs. Josiah JenkinsMs. Dorothy A. JerneycicDr. Ronald Rice & Mrs. Claire JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Peter C. JordanoMr. & Mrs. Jim KennettMs. Jill D. KentMr. Mike J. KilbrideMr. & Mrs. William H. KistlerDr. & Mrs. Walter KohnMr. & Mrs. Stephen H. KompDr. William KoonceMs. Ellen KraghMr. & Mrs. Edward J. KramerPeter Lapidus Construction, Inc.Charles Lawrance & Kenneth LawranceMr. George LeisMs. Lisa LewisMr. & Mrs. Trevor LindseyMr. John D. MacomberMrs. Marilyn MagidDr. & Mrs. James W. MarkhamMr. James T. MartinDr. & Mrs. Richard MartinMr. Duke McPhersonMs. Charleen F. MeeMr. & Mrs. Joel MendelsohnMr. & Mrs. Stephen MetschMrs. Janet MillarMr. & Mrs. Jeffrey MillmanMr. & Mrs. Darrell P. MorseMrs. Katherine J. MuckleMr. & Mrs. Ed NahaMr. & Mrs. Nathan NahmiasMr. & Mrs. Albert NassiMrs. Virginia J. OrtegaMr. Vince Doerfler & Ms. Beatrice OshikaMr. & Mrs. Gerald B. ParentMr. & Mrs. William C. PaulsenMr. & Mrs. Michael PerryMr & Mrs. Alvin Plack

Mrs. Susan B. PlumerDr. & Mrs. Arthur PoschMr. & Mrs. Christian RamillerMr. & Mrs. Tom ReadMs. Elizabeth RossMr. & Mrs. Michael RodrigueDr. & Mrs. Ian RossDr. & Mrs. Chris RoyceMr. & Mrs. Sam SchaeferMrs. Jean K. SchuylerMr. & Mrs. Christian StepienMr. Peter Schuyler & Dr. Lisa StrattonMr. & Mrs. Daniel SemegenMr. Gary Evan SmithSteele Family FoundationMr. & Mrs. Eric SternDr. & Mrs. Bruce C. StraitsMr. & Mrs. William ThomasMr. & Mrs. Robert G. ThompsonMr. & Dr. John J. ThompsonDr. & Mrs. Bruce TiffneyDr. & Dr. Kenneth W. TuckerMs. Susan VivellMrs. Mary H. WalshMr. & Mrs. Louis WellerThe Whimsie FundMr. & Mrs. Donovan WhiteMr. & Mrs. Wini WhiteDr. & Mrs. John M. WiemannMr. John S. WillisMr. & Mrs. Rupert WindhagerLaurel Woodley & Dr. Shirley SchwanzaraThe Woodward FundMr. & Mrs. Brian S. Woolford

Gifts made in honor of:Cheryl FletcherMs. Stephanie Wilson

Ed & Carolyn HendersonMs. Nadine Henderson

Evene BotkinDr. & Ms. Daniel B. Botkin

John Brinker for his community serviceMr. & Mrs. John Kinnear III The Rotary Club of Montecito

Mrs. Nancy Norma RoeMr. Jeffrey Roe

The Garden DocentsMrs. Melanie Lansing & Mr. Richard Baum

The TeahouseMr. Craig McCaw for Carlos Tirado Mr. & Mrs. Hisashi Wakita

Gifts made in memory of: Bettine WallinMr. Lawrence Wallin

Beverly Taylor GodwinJanet ComstockMs. Mariann H. HahnHathaway SchoolMr. & Mrs. Gary MillikenRobert & Guenevere StillwellMs. Elisa Taylor-GodwinMs. Elizabeth Wolfe

Daniel Frost, M.D.Mr. & Mrs. George Chelini

Elizabeth de ForestMs. Sydney Baumgartner

Isabel WelliszMr. Peter Gajewski & Ms. Suzanne Siskel

John CushingMr. John Cotton & Mrs. Anne Cushing

John MagnusonMs. Catherine Rose

Michael H.C. SeegerMs. Erlaine H. Seeger

Nancy ByrneMs. Jill K. Barnitz

Our dedicated volunteer & dear friend, Charlotte SchmidtMs. Carol McCormickMr. Ed Temple

Phoenix SmithMr. Benjamin F. Smith

Stephen BoyleMrs. Stephen R. Boyle

Vaughn KeiferDr. John Mooring

Loving husband, Darwin SainzMrs. Jeanette Sainz

Loving husband, Jerry HomanMrs. Alice Homan

I

Photo: SBBG Image Library, Anna Dorinda Blaksley Bliss

Ironwood – Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 15Ironwood – Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 15

The Garden Announces the Restoration of the Meadow OaksBy Joni Kelly, Communications Manager

On December 11, 2012 the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden welcomed two large, boxed coast live oak

trees (Quercus agrifolia), each greater than 20 feet tall. This important project is the first step towards restoring the beloved Meadow Oaks area that was once a significant component of the Garden’s historic landscape. This area had been used by the Garden for member picnics and other large gatherings since its founding in 1926. In the last 20 years, however, two magnificent oaks and the cover they provided were lost, drastically changing the character and use of the site.

The History of the Meadow OaksA grove of mature coast live oaks in all their gnarled beauty has always graced the Garden along the west side of the Meadow. The two trees which formed the canopy for the Meadow Oaks area were lost to old age and disease in 1991 and 2005 respectively. Their removal precipitated the installation of the controversial Meadow Terrace project. In 2011, after considerable community input, the uncompleted Meadow Terrace (deemed to be an inappropriate design for this County Landmark) was removed to comply with the Garden’s new Conditional Use Permit. The Garden recently completed a draft Cultural Landscape Master Plan to guide the Garden in the management of its important landscapes.

With generous support from the Santa Barbara Foundation, the Garden hired

landscape architects Susan Van Atta and Sydney Baumgartner to develop a plan for the Meadow Oaks area. Their plan closely follows the recommendations in the Cultural Landscape Master Plan, which specifically calls for the replacement of oaks in the exact location of the originals. The Garden planted the largest specimens that could be feasibly moved to the site without damaging any existing trees.

About the Trees“Normally we would not recommend planting such large trees due to the expense, and often shorter life span, of trees of this size,” said Steve Windhager, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. “We took great care in selecting to work with Rolla Wilhite of Berylwood Tree Farm in Somis, CA and are confident we have taken all the precautions needed to ensure that these trees have a long, healthy life. This is such a special place in the Garden, we did not feel we could do any less.”

Much attention was given to choosing the specific trees for the site by Director of Horticulture, Betsy Collins and Head Gardener, Dave Kershaw, who toured a wide range of tree suppliers before selecting Berylwood Tree Farm. The Garden’s new trees were grown from acorns at Berylwood, first in the ground, then in a large box. They are now approximately 28 years old. Rolla Wilhite, with over 40 years of experience, is one of the nation’s most respected growers of large boxed

trees. Berylwood is widely acknowledged as having one of the best track records in the country for successfully transporting and installing large trees in difficult-to-maneuver locations.

Please join in the celebration of Native Plants and Wildflowers at the Garden by sharing your color photographs. Wildflower or other native plant images should fit one or more of the following categories:

California Native Plants in your GardenCalifornia Native Plants in the WildCalifornia Native Plants at SBBG

Within each of the above categories, themes are:

Macro (Close-up)Panorama (Extra-wide)LandscapeWith Person/People/Animal(s)/Insect(s)

Photo: Tricia Wardlaw, Newly Planted Meadow Oaks, December 2012

Photo: SBBG Image Library, Meadow Oaks circa 1960

Winning photographers from 2012, clockwise from left, Leonard Porzio, John Wardlaw, Robin Oaks, and Spencer Sky

Winning photos will be featured in an upcoming issue of Ironwood, on the Garden’s website, and on the SBBGPhotos website. Entries must be received between March 1 and May 31, 2013. Visit www.sbbg.org for details.

Call for EntriEsThe Garden’s 3rd Annual Photo Contest By Tricia Wardlaw

16 Ironwood – Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Spring 2013

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden1212 Mission Canyon RoadSanta Barbara, CA 93105-2126(805) 682-4726www.sbbg.org

Address Service Requested

NonprofitOrganization

U.S. Postage PaidSanta Barbara, CA

Permit No. 451

Where I’ve Been: A First Person TravelogueBy Joan Evans, Education Coordinator

Last summer I was fortunate enough to join the Garden for its tour to the little known region of the White Mountains on the east side of the Sierras. Early on a Tuesday morning, we

set out from Santa Barbara in the capable charge of Steve Junak, Herbarium Curator and Botanist for the Garden, accompanied by our Geology expert, Dr. Tanya Atwater, Emeritus Professor of Tectonics at UCSB. Many stops were made to view the varied and interesting flora and rock formations of the area as we wound our way to Bishop, California.

On Wednesday, we headed out, first to see the interesting geology found in a road cut, then up the White Mountains and over to the remarkable Bristlecone Pines. We spent a

wonderful afternoon exploring the area’s flora and learning more about some of the world’s oldest living trees.

Thursday was spent at beautiful Mono Lake, guided by Santiago Escruceria, Outdoor Education Coordinator for the Mono Lake Committee, around the South Tufa Area, where unusual rock formations grace Mono Lake’s shores. We spotted migratory birds and learned about the history and significance of Mono Lake. After a great lunch at the Whoa Nellie Deli, and a quick stop at the Mono Lake Committee Headquarters, we traveled back in time to

Bodie, the best-preserved ghost town in California. A delightful afternoon was spent exploring the old buildings and cemetery, as well as listening to stories about the fascinating history of the town.

Friday’s itinerary included stops at the Eastern California Museum in Independence, and the Eastern Sierra Inter-agency Visitor Center, just south of Lone Pine, with a break for a picnic lunch on the way home.

It truly was one of the best Garden tours I have been on. I would encourage you to take the road less traveled too, for the memories you create will make all the difference.

Please join us for this year’s trip to the White Mountains. See Leaves of Learning for details.

Photos: Joan Evans, Botanizing in the White Mountains and Patriarch Tree

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference.”

~ Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken”