Ironwood - Summer 2012

Beach layia, Lompoc yerba santa, and California jewel flower - what do they have in common? Each of them are endangered species and all 3 are found in Santa Barbara County. They differ, however, in their ―life style‖ and habitat preferences. Efforts to develop scientifically-based recovery plans for suitable reintroduction sites are underway. Implementation, however, will depend on understanding their individual biology and developing a highly genetically diverse seed bank.

Beach layia (Layia carnosa) is known from only a few places along the California coast at elevations less than 20 feet, from near Humboldt Bay in northwestern California, to the sand dunes near the mouth of the Santa Ynez River, the southernmost location in the world. Threatened in the future by sea level rise and loss of sand dune stability, the immediate threat to this diminutive sunflower is encroachment by veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina), a highly invasive competitor, which replaces native vegetation wherever it becomes established. Although probably visited by small insects, most of the beach layia‘s seeds are produced by self-pollination.

Lompoc yerba santa (Eriodictyon capitatum) is a clonal shrub found only at a few isolated sites in Santa Barbara County. The Garden‘s living collection, along the

Campbell Trail, is derived from one in the hills near Orcutt. At least 2 other large clones of 50 - 100 plants occur on Burton Mesa, on lands managed by Vandenberg Air Force Base. Although Lompoc yerba santa responds favorably to fire by stump-sprouting, recruitment from seedlings is a rare event, simply because seed production is a rare event. Previous studies have shown that only 1 in 10,000 flowers produce a viable seed! However, these seeds are of high quality, because they often represent different gene combinations than the parent plant. Such seeds are at a premium in planning reintroduction.

The California jewel flower (Caulanthus californicus) represents a plant with a seemingly odd combination of flowers, of which a few are

completely sterile and a few others are functionally female and only produce seeds when pollinated by an insect.

However, most flowers on any plant are bisexual, producing both pollen and seeds. The sterile flowers are nothing more than undeveloped, sterile, bright reddish

purple buds found at the tips of the inflorescences. They probably serve as a flag to attract insect

visitors, which include small bees and bumblebees. They first attract and then direct insect attention downward to the fertile, cream-colored flowers below. Bisexual and female flowers below the buds are capable of self-pollination but studies underway at the Garden indicate that flowers pollinated with pollen from different plants often produce more seeds. Seeds produced by insect pollination are often more genetically variable than those produced by self-pollination. Continued on Page 9

Treasure Unearthed:

Conservation of Endangered Jewel Flower Breeds Success

By Dieter H. Wilken Ph.D.

2 Summer 2012

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IRONWOOD

Volume 20, Number 2 - Summer 2012

ISSN 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.

©2012 Santa Barbara Botanic Garden All rights reserved.

Board of Trustees

Chair Vice-Chair Secretary Treasurer

John M. Wiemann, Ph.D. John Brinker Carolyn Kincaid Henderson James O. Koopmans, CPA Sue Adams Patrick Connelly Leslie Deardorff John Gabbert Elizabeth Keate Charles J. Rennie, III, MD Gary Robinson Peter Schuyler Ann Symington

Be Green! Go Paperless!

In line with our mission, the Garden has been working towards providing this newsletter to you electronically. While we will continue to produce a printed piece, we encourage you to support our conservation efforts by signing up to receive Ironwood via e-mail. We never sell or share any of your information – ever.

Please support us in this effort by providing us with your e-mail address by calling (805) 682-4726 ext. 133 or emailing [email protected].

Director’s Message

The Luxury of Living in a ―Garden City‖

On May 11, the Garden participated in a celebration of National Public Gardens Day. This day calls attention to an often overlooked resource in our midst, and I am proud to say that Santa Barbara‘s citywide partnership in promoting this celebration was the first in the nation. This is not surprising; Santa Barbara is a community which truly appreciates what gardens have to offer. The Garden worked with Lotusland, Casa del Herrero, Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara Zoo, and City and County parks

to celebrate our public gardens, featuring spokesperson Billy Goodnick, landscape architect, with the additional support from the Santa Barbara Foundation, Santa Barbara Beautiful, Master Gardeners, and national sponsors Rain Bird and the American Public Gardens Association. This year‘s partnership is only the beginning. We have created a joint website at www.sbpublicgardens.org to promote all the public gardens in our community and the gardening resources each has to offer year round, with specific targeted activities for next year‘s National Public Gardens Day. We hope this effort will remind all of us how important these cultural institutions are to our community. Public gardens are an important part of creating communities where we all would like to live. Not only are they great spaces for recreation and for picking up ideas for home gardening (which remains one of the nation‘s top hobbies), public gardens are often used to educate, display art, steward historic and cultural resources, and increasingly, they are examples of conservation and sustainability. I hope you took the opportunity to visit one of Santa Barbara‘s many great public gardens on May 11th, but if you didn‘t, don‘t worry! Every day can be Public Gardens Day in Santa Barbara. Enjoy!

And on your next visit to the Garden, make sure you cross to the east side of Mission Canyon Road and go up on the Porter Trail. Our newest full time gardener, Tony Lee, has been hard at work on what has become a sun-filled garden since the Jesusita Fire, and it is looking wonderful!

Sincerely,

Steve Windhager, Ph.D. Executive Director

http://www.sbpublicgardens.org

Ironwood—Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 3

4 Summer 2012

By Betsy Lape

Meadow View, rising to the northeast of the Meadow, is a garden gem - a series of terraces that boldly celebrates the beauty and diversity of California flora. At its crest, a premier viewpoint offers a sweeping view across the Channel to Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands.

Meadow View is a florid overture of chromatic splendor, redolent with sages and mellifluous birdsong. Meandering pathways converge at a bench site with the perspective for which the site is named. To the west, the shade of stately oaks transitions to the cool Redwood Section and Canyon.

Historically, the area was part of the Foothill Section, then became the home of the Garden‘s first Home Demonstration Garden. Devastated in the Jesusita Fire in 2009, the section was lovingly renewed by our horticulture team this spring. One hundred individual plants, grown in the nursery, were added to the garden beds. The brightest blue penstemon and cheerful monkeyflower joined the existing redbud trees, goldenrod, and sculptural yucca in an exuberant landscape display. Overabundant plants were cut back, and compost manufactured on site was added to improve soil fertility. Finally, the trails were re-shaled to complete the finished look.

Also this year, a new work of art was added to the Meadow View bench. Created by longtime Santa Barbara artist and Garden member, Patti Jacquemain, the vivid mosaic depicts iconic meadow flora and fauna. ―When the Garden decided to add art to a bench, we were looking for something that would really fit the Garden and add to our visitors‘ appreciation of the Garden as a living work of art,‖ said Steve Windhager, Executive Director. ―Patti‘s work, drawing from the native wildlife and plants that you see in the Garden, really shows how the Garden can both inspire and contain art.‖

―It is such a beautiful spot,‖ said Jacquemain, who was inspired by her love of wildflowers and familiarity with the Garden in the work. ―I hoped the mosaic would blend in with the Garden and be a part of the whole.‖

Another addition to the section is a grouping of troughs, highlighting unique specimens which would be easily overlooked in the ground. These container gardens are artful compositions that ignite the imagination with their distinctive shape and texture combinations. An Arctostaphylos ‗White Lanterns‘ calls to mind a miniature apple tree, and the silver foliage of a rare phacelia argentea drapes luxuriantly over the side, like a creature crawling out of a box. Other troughs contain diminutive eriogonum and small succulents.

The bench beckons. Sit and lean against the native sandstone boulders; be encouraged and filled by the beauty of art and nature; look to the surpassing infinitude of sky.

On Friday, March 23, 2012 at 10:30am, Salud Carbajal, 1st District Supervisor of Santa Barbara County cut the ribbon on the first public electric vehicle (EV) charging station in southern Santa Barbara County at the Garden The charging station was provided by Ecotality through the EV Project program. Early-adopters of electric vehicles are encouraged to ―charge-up at the Garden.‖ Those who will use the service should sign-up for their own charging card at www.blinknetwork.com.

The County of Santa Barbara will greatly expand the EV Charging network, installing 18 charging spots at nine County-owned sites in Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Carpinteria. Santa Barbara County is considered an early adopter market by utilities and car companies.

Electric vehicles achieve up to 100 miles per charge, produce zero tailpipe emissions, and reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 75% on California‘s green electricity grid.

Garden Spotlight: Garden Spotlight: Meadow ViewMeadow View

http://www.blinknetwork.com

Leaves of Learning

Calendar of classes, events and volunteer opportunities at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden To register for classes, visit www.sbbg.org under ―classes," call 682-4726 x 102 or email [email protected].


Special Lecture: The Fascinating Ecosystem of Wetlands with Biologist Larry Jon Friesen, Ph.D. Friday, June 1, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Join us in the Blaksley Library for this lively look at the amazing, and often overlooked, wetlands habitats. Not only are they a vital home for birds, but the ecosystem in general is teeming with life histories of protozoa/protophyta, insects, crustacea, and amphibians. Dr. Friesen is a professor of Biology at SBCC and is widely known for his beautiful photos. (See July for his Nature Photo Workshop)

Fee: $20 members / $35 non-members

JUNE

Docent-led June Specialty Tour: The Discovery Garden—Exploring Biodiversity Saturday, June 2, 2:00pm Free with admission

Garden Concert: Rose & the Nightingale “Spirit of the Garden” Friday, June 15, 5:30pm

Rose & the Nightingale is a critically acclaimed New York City-based quartet of world-class improvising vocalists and instrumentalists, creating beautiful and unique genre-defying music. Don‘t miss the opportunity to experience the beauty of their music against the backdrop of the spectacular meadow during this exclusive acoustic concert & special opening reception for Kathleen Crocetti‘s stunning art installation, paired with local wines and delicious hors d‘oeuvres.

Fee: $135 per person

Special Benefit Concert Series: Rose & the Nightingale performs at the Center Stage Theater in Paseo Nuevo Saturday June 16, 8:00pm Sunday, June 17, 2:00pm

Enjoy Rose & the Nightingale in these concerts to benefit Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. The Theater is located upstairs at 751 Paseo Nuevo, at the mid-way point in the complex. What a great way to spend some quality family time and support the Garden!

Tickets are only through their box office at www.centerstagetheater.org or call 805-963-0408.

Fee: $40 per person

SBBG Book Discussion Group Monday, June 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 [email protected].

Fee: free to members / non-members

Camp Wildflower Counselor Training Wednesday, June 27, 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 to work this summer, July 16-20. May count toward high school community service requirements.

Meet the Summer Plant Families! 2 Fridays, June 22 & 29, 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Join Mary Carroll for her popular seasonal series of plant identification classes focusing on native plants and flowers of the summer. Bring a 10x hand lens if you have one.


Spirit House Workshop Saturday, June 23, 10:00am - 4:00pm (one-hour lunch break)

In Southeast Asia, every home and garden has a ―spirit house‖ that attracts good spirits. this creative one-day workshop is taught by artist, teacher, and author Sukey Hughes, and will give you the opportunity to construct your own miniature dwelling that will call in your garden‘s protective spirits. Come join the fun! A materials list will be provided.


The Amazing Geology of Santa Barbara County: East Arroyo Burro Beach Saturday, June 30, 10:00am – Noon

Explore folds, faults, rock types, landslides, and fossils. An easy walk on flat sand. About 2.25 miles round trip.


http://www.centerstagetheater.org

mailto:[email protected]

6 Summer 2012

Design Ideas for Your Native Garden: Start with a Plan! Sunday, July 29, 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Arborist and Nursery Manager, Bruce Reed, presents some guiding principles for conceiving and establishing home gardens with native plants. Slides of intriguing examples from local installations will show both good planning and common mistakes. Ample time will be left to discuss specific issues from class participants. Fall is installation time! Use this class to think through the possibilities and get inspired!


JULY

Harvesting Color: One-Day Workshop with Rebecca Burgess Saturday, July 28, 9:00am – 4:00pm

Back by popular demand, ecological artist and Fibershed founder, Rebecca Burgess leads a day-long exploration in native plant dyes. Rebecca works as an ecological restoration educator, curricula developer, author, and textile artist (www.rebeccarburgess.com). Her newly released book, Harvesting Color, explains where to find plants in the wild and the best way to harvest them. Learn everything from harvesting to preparing local fibers to producing beautiful textiles with natural color from the California chaparral ecosystem. Rebecca currently resides in Northern California, and is offering this workshop exclusively for the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Limited to 22 participants.


Docent-led July Specialty Tour: Summer Wildflowers Saturday, July 7, 2:00pm

Free with Admission

Native Trees of Figueroa Mountain with Bob Muller Saturday, July 14, 8:30am - 4:00pm

Join Bob Muller, Director of Research and author of Trees of Santa Barbara for this exploration of one of our Santa Barbara County treasures! From the valley bottom to its highest point, over 50 trees and shrubs grow on the slopes of Figueroa Mountain. The distribution of these tells much about the range of environmental conditions the mountain provides. Spend the day exploring Figueroa's landscapes and the vegetation along its slopes. Leave from Mattei's Tavern 8:30am. Bring lunch, water, sturdy shoes, and a hat.


A Grand Botanical Adventure across California with Bob Haller and Nancy Vivrette Saturday, July 7, through Sunday, July 15.

Venture from the wave-tossed Pacific Ocean, over the Coast Ranges, across the snow-capped Sierra Nevada, up to the lofty White Mountains and down to the oven-like, but beautiful Death Valley; including the best examples of the state‘s diverse landscapes, flora and scenery. Don‘t miss this rare opportunity!

Maximum of 5 cars and/or 15 participants.

Food, lodging and transportation are the responsibility of the participants. Hotel listings will be provided.

Fees: 1-4 days $250 members / $300 non-members; 5+ days $400 members / $450 non-members

SBBG Book Discussion Group Monday, July 16, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

We will discuss a non-fiction book on an environmental topic. To reserve a spot or get more information, please contact Betsy Green at [email protected].

Fees: free to members / non-members

The Amazing Geology of Santa Barbara County: Stevens Park Saturday, July 21, 10:00am - Noon

Join Susie Bartz for this interesting look at Stevens Park in the San Roque neighborhood. Susie will point out some of the unique geology of the area. The route follows an incised, uplifted alluvial fan, evidence of the turbulent tectonic past of our region. An easy walk, about 2 miles round trip. Bring a hat, water, study shoes, and curiosity.


CAMP WILDFLOWER (summer day camp for children ages 7-11) Monday, July 16 through Friday, July 20 9:00am – 3:00pm

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


SAVE THE DATE:

California Botanical Summer Adventure: The Oldest Trees in the World! Tuesday, July 31, through Friday, August 3

Visit the incredible Bristlecone Pines National Monument outside of Bishop, California, with trip leader Steve Junak. Also includes the rich history of the area with a side trip to Bodie—an original ghost town. See website for more information

http://www.rebeccarburgess.com/



Pruning Natives De-Mystified: A Demonstration Workshop Saturday, September 22, 11:00am - 1:30pm

Take some of the mystery out of pruning and maintaining your natives with this informative workshop led by Nursery Manager Bruce Reed. Participants will learn the techniques for trimming natives such as sages as well as pruning shrubs such as Manzanita and Ceanothus without killing them. Join Bruce for this walking demonstration of pruning do‘s and don‘ts. Bring a hat!


Docent-led Specialty Tour: Streamside Plants of Mission Canyon Saturday, August 4, 2:00pm

Free with Admission

Mission Creek Critters: Family Exploration and Discovery! Saturday, August 11, 10:00am - Noon

Join Diana Kennett, stream biologist, for this morning adventure into the riparian creek corridor at the Garden. We‘ll collect some critters to look at in the microscope lab and discover the amazing unseen world of water insects and plants! Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy the Garden after class. Registration required.

Fee: free to members / $5 per person non-members

Create a Personal Nature Journal 5 Fridays, August 24, 31 & September 7, 14, 21, 11:00am – 2:00pm

Nature Journals are wonderful places in which to create freely, without hesitation, doubt, or fear. In them, you can experiment and just have fun. In this class, JoAnn McGeever Metzger will demonstrate basic techniques and discuss a variety of special effects. Beginners and advanced students are welcome. Bring your enthusiasm, a blank journal of your choice, and favorite pen or pencil. All other materials for the first class will be provided.


Breakfast with a Naturalist: Fred Emerson Saturday, August 4, 10:00am - Noon

Join the Education staff over coffee, juice and muffins and take a walk through the Garden‘s many diverse habitats to sharpen your observation skills with naturalist and bird expert Fred Emerson. Bring binoculars, a hat, and curiosity. For adults and children over age 10.

Fee: $15 member adults / $5 children ages 10-18 $25 non-member adults / $7 children ages 10-18

Trail Blazers Botanical Hike: Rattlesnake Canyon Saturday, August 18, 10:00am - Noon

Join a Docent for a hike up Rattlesnake Canyon to learn about some of our local flora and fauna. For adults and children over age 8. Parking information will be sent to participants.

Fee: $5 per person

Time Travelers: Private Domecar Botanical Day Trip Saturday, September 29, 10:00am – 5:00pm

(Save-the Date for the final trip of the year: Saturday, November 10, 10:00am – 5:00pm)

Join SBBG‘s Steve Junak for a rare glimpse of some of the last 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!

Reservations are limited and must be made by September 7. Over 21 only. Trip will go rain or shine.


AUGUST

SBBG Book Discussion Group Monday, August 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 [email protected].


California Naturalist Program Open House Wednesday, August 22, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Join the Education Department for this informational meeting to learn more about the new UCCE California Naturalist Training class which begins in October. Prospective SBBG Docents, local natural history organization volunteers, and interested community members are encouraged to attend.


SEPTEMBER

8 Summer 2012

TEQUILA SUNSET

UPPER LEVEL MEMBERS EVENT

Dust off your sombreros!

The Board of Trustees and Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden cordially invite you to a

Festive evening with Tequila Tastings and Mexican Munchies.

Friday, August 10, 2012 5:00pm - 7:30pm

Your Hosts

Senora Susan Van Atta and Senor Kenneth Radtkey

Address disclosed upon registration

Spr ing Appeal

Thank you to everyone who made a gift to the Garden‘s Spring Appeal. The generosity of our community is critical to the success of our important conservation, education, and research programs, to the Garden itself – the planning, designing, propagating, and tending of the exquisite exhibits of California native plants.

Your gift today will demonstrate your continued commitment to the Garden‘s tradition of powerfully evocative garden design coupled with rigorous science all in the service of California‘s wonderful flora. Together we can inspire the conservation of California‘s native ecosystems now and among generations to come.

Send your fully tax-deductible donation to:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (SBBG) 1212 Mission Canyon Road Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Attention: Development Department

Membership Upgrades

We wish to thank all of our members who have increased their membership support to the Garden during the first quarter of the year.

Dr. Paul Abramson and Ms. Laraine Mestman

Mr. Doug M. Allan & Mrs. Gloria Orozco Allan

Mr. Michael Arnold & Mr. C. Matthew Arnold

Ms. Jill K. Barnitz

Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Byrne

Mr. and Mrs. Kellam De Forest

Ms. Vanessa DeLuca

Ms. Deby De Weese & Ms. Karen Moyes

Mr. and Mrs. Ron Eldridge

Mr. and Mrs. John Engel

Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Donnelley Erdman

Ms. Ellen Easton

Ms. Diane I. Wilson Flynn & Ms. Sara Flynn

Mrs. Kimberly Garden

Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Hanrahan

Mr. Richard Hayden and Mr. Bosen

Mr. Monti Hind and Ms. Suzanne Fritch

Mr. Randy N. Jaffe

Mr. and Mrs. Rich Janssen

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Jacobson

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lawson

Mr. Russ Salzgeber

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sanders

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick U. Schroeder

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Simon

Ms. Jessica Fox-Tenney

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Tobey

Mr. and Mrs. David Torfeh

Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Wyatt

Building Bridges Recap

We are so grateful for all the support of the Garden‘s ―Building Bridges‖ fundraiser to replace the Campbell Bridge. We are pleased to report over 400 individuals donated a total of $80,465 towards our $80,000 community goal.

The redesign of the new bridge seeks to emulate the appearance of the historic bridge originally constructed in 1941, and we are nearly through the permitting process. Construction will commence this summer with a ground-breaking ceremony once bird-nesting season has passed. We will plan the Campbell Bridge ribbon-cutting ceremony for October or November as soon as we are able to ascertain a completion date.

We remain overwhelmed by the love our community has for the Garden, evidenced through generosity & support of the project.

On Friday, May 18th Garden members attented a country western themed

picnic in the Meadow. Members enjoyed a burger and hot dogs bar catered

by Jack‘s Bistro. The evening included a best dressed contest, face

painting for the kids and a real live cowboy demonstration.

2012 Members Picnic2012 Members Picnic


_____________________________________________________________________

Ask The Expert

Q: Can I plant in summer?

A: Native plant enthusiasts are responsible and

practiced at telling all who will listen that planting is most successful in fall and winter. Plants use this long period of bright light and available water to extend their roots, searching for more dependable sources of moisture than our hit-or-miss rainfall. This extensive root zone helps the plant survive our blazing summers.

Does this mean no planting can be successful at any other time of the year? The fussiest of the drought tolerant natives, like bush poppy (Dendromecon), flannelbush (Fremontodendron), white sage (Salvia apiana), or Matilija poppy (Romneya), are challenged by with spring or summer planting and are more surely successful in fall. But many plants can be started at other times with success. The key is they will take more time and attention from the gardener than they otherwise would.

The easy choices are riparian plants. Trees like alder (Alnus) and sycamore (Platanus) and flowering plants like scarlet and streamside monkeyflower (Mimulus cardinalis and M. guttatus, respectively) need moist soils to flourish. Keeping the soil moist through summer for these plants is best, whether or not they are newly planted.

For more drought-tolerant plants, the key to succeeding with late planting is keeping them periodically moist through the heat of summer. While watering too often is a real worry (especially in clay soils), the relative under-development of the new plants‘ roots is their major handicap in surviving the summer. This is why late plantings need more attention – you have to notice when they are dry and needing more water. Look away for two weeks and you may look back to find dry leaves and no germ of life.

How long it will take for the soil to become dry will vary with every locale and the ever-changing weather. While many of our drought tough plants can handle a day or two of truly dry soil when they are young, much longer is too much. The best practice is to allow the first 3-4 inches of soil to become dry (however long that takes) before you water again. The better the soil drains, the more leeway you have to water more frequently.

With the life-support of a willing, attentive gardener, planting can be successful at almost any time of year.

Bruce Reed, Nursery Manager

Jewel Flower: Continued from Page 1

Although the California jewel flower once occurred widely in the Cuyama and San Joaquin valleys, it is now restricted to only 3 very small areas, including one near the mouth of Santa Barbara Canyon. Many historic populations were lost to agriculture or oil exploration during the 20th Century. Most of the remaining populations are protected by the Bureau of Land Management, but they remain particularly susceptible to inadvertent grazing and competition, especially from annual grasses like wall barley (Hordeum murinum) and red brome (Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens). Once suitable habitat can be found, recovery efforts will require a seed source with sufficient genetic diversity to adapt to their new home.

The Garden‘s efforts, funded through cooperative agreements between the Center for Plant Conservation and the Department of Defense and Bureau of Land Management, are focused on securing seed collections that represent as much genetic variability as possible. Although seed collection efforts are restricted to minimize the impact on wild populations, the Garden‘s efforts include sampling many different plants. Seeds collected under this protocol are often segregated in different packets by parent plant to track potential genetic differences. Following a rigorous protocol of preparation for seed storage, duplicate seeds are deposited in the USDA‘s National Center for Genetic Preservation, where they can be held for recovery purposes by future conservationists. Wild-collected seeds have enabled current studies of germination, growth, and the reproductive biology of California jewel flower, funded through the Center for Plant Conservation. The results of these studies contribute to our understanding of these and other rare plants. One added benefit of growing plants for research at the Garden also provides extra seed. These provide an enhanced reservoir for future recovery under natural conditions.

New Volunteer Orientations

Join us on every other Thursday at 2:00pm in the Blaksley Library to catch a behind-the-scenes tour of the Garden, hear from current volunteers and their supervisors, and discover an area in which to serve that matches your interests and talents.

June 7

June 21

July 5

July 19

August 2

August 16

Call our Volunteer Coordinator at (805) 682-4726 ext. 1a9 or

e-mail [email protected] for more information.


10 Summer 2012

A Library in the Garden

By Tricia Wardlaw

A small outdoor library, originally built in 1927, supplied nature books and magazines to visitors of the Blaksley Botanic Garden. Since that time, the library at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has branched out and blossomed. A generous gift by Mrs. Charles Francis Saunders of her husband‘s reference library (including a complete set of his works, autographs of early botanists, manuscripts, and paintings by Elizabeth M. Saunders) prompted the construction of the new library building. In 1942, Mildred donated the Blaksley Library in memory of her mother, Anna Dorinda Blaksley Bliss, founder of the Garden.

In that same year, Mrs. A.W. Hood spoke of her plan to collect a kodachrome library of trees and flowers which would belong to the Garden and could be loaned to speakers and schools. For 85 years, the Garden and its collections have flourished. This summer, the Garden‘s new web-based digital image library, SBBGPhotos (with more than 35,000 digital images from the Garden‘s archive collection of photographs and slides) will become available to the public with the launch of the Garden‘s new website.

Over the years, steadfast curation and loving care by Garden librarians and valued volunteers (most notably, Ada Wood, a 30-year volunteer who generously established the Amy Wood Nyholm Fund for Excellence in Library Collections) truly made the Blaksley Library the treasured botanical and horticultural resource it is today.

The Library currently houses over 15,000 books, digital media, and journals on all aspects of plant science with an emphasis on the flora of California and the Channel Islands. Collection strengths also include floras

of other Mediterranean regions of the world, botanical exploration of North Amer ica, p lant conservat ion, ornamental uses of native plants and low-water use landscaping, landscape architecture and garden design, and history of gardens in Santa Barbara. Special collections contain personal collections donated to the Garden archives, photographs, artworks, and various documents relating to the Garden and its history. The Garden‘s Library catalog is available to the public on the Central Coast Museum C o n s o r t i u m w e b s i t e a t www.centralcoastmuseums.org.

Keep your eye out for the Garden‘s new ―Little Free Library‖, coming soon. (If you are not already aware of this ‗take a book, share a book‘ sensation popping up in communities across the nation, check out the www.littlefreelibrary.org website.) The design of the Garden‘s new ―Little Free Library‖ will be inspired by and celebrate the Garden‘s original outdoor library established in 1927.

The Blaksley Library and special collections access are available to members and to the public by appointment. Please contact the Collections Manager by phone at 805.682.4726 ext 107 or by email at [email protected].

Corporate Membership

Corporate Members help the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden continue its diverse programs, while providing your company, and its employees with exclusive benefits and privileges. We work closely with corporations to create sponsorship strategies tailored to meet their needs.

Benefits of Corporate Membership:

At the $5,000 level:

One company event on the grounds of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden each year

Donor recognition on outdoor displays at the Garden

Signed copies of Alice's Garden & Trees of Santa Barbara

A minimum of 25 free one-time passes for employees

Acknowledgement in our newsletter the Ironwood and in our Annual Report

Opportunities to reward your best customers or clients with special ―perks‖

Exclusive invitation to Director-hosted events – these small events, such as private dinners held at the home of our Board Chair recognize high-level members of the Garden

At the $10,000 - $25,000 level Corporate Membership—includes all the above benefits, plus:

One catered company event on the Garden‘s grounds per year or use of our library and its state-of-the-art audio visual system free of charge

A signed and framed botanical illustration by Patrick O‘Hara. This watercolor print is drawn from a limited collection of drawings commissioned by the Garden from an internationally-acclaimed biological illustrator

A minimum of 150 free single-use guest passes

The Garden‘s First Library, c. 1927

http://www.centralcoastmuseums.org/

http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/



Be a Sponsor!

The Fall Plant Sale is right around the corner. We are looking for a company to partner with us in promoting our Fall Sale in 2012. We will have five large ads in local print media, radio spots on KDB and KLITE, and a PSA on KEYT-TV in which we will highlight our partner. Our messaging will be ―innovative and interesting‖ ways to engage the public on sustainability and native plant conservation.

Sponsorships of $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 enable the nursery to provide a large quantity of exceptional California native plants for the fall planting season, and will help promote the sale to the public. To sponsor the event, please call (805) 690-1697.

Special thanks to those businesses which so generously sponsored the sale in 2010 and 2011:

S&S Seeds, Cox Communications, Marborg Industries, Santa Barbara News Press, Corbu Construction, DocuProducts, El Nativo Growers, Kellogg Garden Products, Lanspeed, Native Sons Wholesale Nursery, Nopalito Nursery, Santa Barbara Independent, Suncrest Nursery, Acuity-VCT, Annies Annuals & Perennials, Eye of the Day, Knapp Nursery, Nojoqui Falls Tours, San Marcos Growers, Susan Van Atta & Associates, Whole Food Market-Santa Barbara

2012 Botanic Garden Volunteer Awards

This year‘s

Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Corinne Gallagher, a long-standing Garden Grower, Digital Image Library Assistant, and Instructional Aide for Garden classes. Besides her regular activities with the Garden Growers, Corinne has been responsible for the complex task of creating and assembling care cards for all the new plants that come in for the plant sales. Bridging computer and research skills, this huge task has to be done in the last few days before the sale opens. It‘s a stressful job that Corinne handles with an easy grace. Corinne is a data-entry specialist For the Digital Image Library whose immense contribution to cataloging images in the SBBG Photos database has been critical to its success. Corinne Gallagher has been an incredibly dedicated, essential volunteer at the Garden for years, and we celebrate this honor with her!

From time to time the Garden sees an incredible volunteer rise to meet serious challenges and make a significant change at the Garden. This year, we have awarded this special, distinguished award to Carolyn Kincaid Henderson, currently a Board Trustee and long-time Docent. From her earliest days as a docent trainee, Carolyn has promoted camaraderie within the docent group. She has filled many docent positions during the years, and has been a terrific team leader. She has taken on countless jobs, always with a contagious enthusiasm. Though serving on numerous committees as a trustee, she still finds time to take a very active part in the docent group. Her contributions to the Garden have been significant indeed and we acknowledge and appreciate her years of service.

This honor is a small way of saying thanks to Carolyn for her timely & indispensable work on behalf of the Garden.

New in the Garden Shop

Bring the kids to delight in the Garden, and then take some of the fun home! The newly arrived flower press kits are bound to encourage discovery and creativity. We have great gardening kits, colorful books, and much more.

Wine & Cheese Lecture Series

Each month, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Garden Courtyard & Blaksley Library

This series features a variety of botanical-themed lectures while enjoying wine & cheese pairings from local vintners.

June 23

Conservation Biology at the Garden Lecturer: Dr. Dieter Wilken, SBBG Winery: Lone Madrone Winery

July 28

Channel Islands Restoration Lecturer: Ken Owen, Executive Director of Channel Islands Restoration Winery: Oreana Winery

August 25

Reproduction of Elizabeth De Forest’s Lecture for Gardens of America Lecturer: Sydney Baumgartner, Landscape Architect Winery: Tercero Wines

Members: $20 per event Non-Members: $35 per event

Limited to just 40 people per lecture.

To register go to: www.sbbg.org and click on ―classes‖

or call: (805) 682-4726 ext. 102

Volunteer of th

e Year

Anna Dorinda Blaksley Bliss Award

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

Nonprofit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid Santa Barbara, CA

Permit No. 451

Address Service Requested

Summer 2012 12

Open House on Wednesday, August 22 in the Blaksley Library

Ten-week class beginning Wednesday, October 3

Limited to 32 participants

Join the Education Department for an informational Open House on Wednesday, August 22 in the Blaksley Library. The California Naturalist training is an innovative new program developed by the University of California Cooperative Extension to foster a committed corps of volunteer naturalists and citizen scientists trained and ready to take an active role in natural resource conservation, education, and restoration. This program provides an overview of California‘s diverse ecology through a well-written and accessible workbook, as well as a more in-depth study of the ecology of the Central Coast through lectures and field trips. We anticipate this ten week course – wiath supplementary training specific to our Garden – will form the foundation of future docent training here at the Garden.

There are Master Naturalist programs in 26 other states, but this is the first such program for California. Currently being piloted at four other sites around the state, SBBG will pilot the first

class for 10 weeks beginning Wednesday, October 3rd in the Library and in our ―outdoor classroom.‖ Trainees who would like to become certified SBBG Docents may complete their required 40 hours of volunteer service at the Garden, and will attend the class for a discounted fee. Limited to 32 participants, the course will be conducted in collaboration with a number of local partners including Sedgwick Reserve, Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, Arroyo Hondo, Lake Cachuma, and the Channels Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Together, we are creating a platform for learning about natural history and ecology which serves as a shared experience for docents and volunteers for all of our organizations.

In addition to trainees from our partners and the community, an enthusiastic group from our Docent Training Committee will also be participating in the pilot class. This group will develop a training component detailing the Garden‘s history and tour information, and the revised Docent Handbook. This program is program geared to developing an appreciation and understanding of the natural world. Aside from being a valuable background for future docents, the course is an excellent introduction to becoming a ―citizen scientist,‖ an amateur naturalist, or just an informed and enthusiastic hiker. Additional online components such as iNaturalist will support Santa Barbara Master Naturalists as they become connected with other graduates from around the state.

We look forward to implementing this exciting new program and having it evolve into the cornerstone of our Education Department and Docent Training Program. For more information, or to register, please contact Judy Sanregret, Director of Education, [email protected] and visit the California Naturalist website at www.ucanr.org/sites/UCCNP .

Innovative Citizen Science Training Program Launches This Fall at the Garden


http://www.ucanr.org/sites/UCCNP

Documents

Ironwood - Summer 2012