Woods to Wildflowers

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1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2013 Press Contact: Nina Sazevich, (415) ; Woods to Wildflowers A spectacular seasonal flowering of California native plants right in the heart of the city at San Francisco Botanical Garden April 1 May 15, 2013 SAN FRANCISCO -- California boasts close to 6000 native plants more than all other states combined and in the spring, its mountains and valleys come alive with color as these plants burst into flower. But you don t have to head to the hills to see them. This vibrant seasonal show takes place without fail right in the heart of the city as the awardwinning four-acre Arthur L. Menzies Garden of California Native Plants blazes into bloom from April through mid-may at San Francisco Botanical Garden (SFBG) in Golden Gate Park. With hundreds of species on view, the Garden s central native wildflower meadow becomes a carpet of bright blue wild lilac, gleaming golden poppies, delicate white and yellow meadowfoam, purple irises, and more. Visitors can also stroll into SFBG s famed, century-old Redwood Grove to appreciate another remarkable and unique California plant community. Free native plant maps, docent-led tours, special signage, and more, as well as unique classes and activities for families and adults, offer an array of ways to appreciate and learn about California s one-of-a-kind plant life. A special garden to feature California native plants was stipulated in the original 1926 bequest of Helene Strybing to establish a botanical garden in Golden Gate Park. The native plant garden dates back to 1960 and was subsequently named for Arthur Menzies, who expanded and oversaw the collection during his tenure as Director of Accessions ( ). But it was San Francisco landscape architect Ron Lutsko, Jr. s redesign in 1988 that truly transformed the Garden of California Native Plants into a showstopper. After it won a National Award of Merit from the American Society of Landscape Architects, author Ken Druse enthused in his book The Natural Habitat Garden, Beyond

2 a collection, it is perhaps the most beautifully planned and maintained public garden in the country dedicated to habitat-style planting. The Garden of California Native Plants features arroyos, ponds, and woodlands, but it is the wildflower meadow that draws crowds of admirers every spring. Densely flowered to rival any natural setting, the meadow brings together a diverse variety of plant communities found throughout the state into one stunning display. Growing among native bunch grasses like needlegrass and fescue, the wildflowers have room to flourish. Here visitors can take in the contented buzzing of bees and other pollinators as they wander amongst the flowers. Highlights of the Arthur L. Menzies Garden of California Native Plants collection include: Eschscholzia californica (California poppy): The state flower of California, this annual is often seen sporting orange flowers, but flower color can actually vary from pale yellow to deep orange/red. Poppies are named for the popping sound that the seedpods make when they split. Limnanthes douglasii (meadow foam): An abundant annual in wet areas, it grows in grassy habitat, such as vernal pools and spring meadows. The white and yellow flowers attract bees to the garden, and in abundance, give the appearance of a garden awash in bright yellow foam. Iris douglasiana (Douglas iris): Often growing in woodlands and grasslands, the Douglas iris displays a wide variety of colors from white to deep purple with spectacular flowers and rich green foliage. Fremontodendron californicum (flannel bush): Large, three-inch yellow flowers cover these large shrubs (up to 20 feet) in such abundance that it can be challenging to see the foliage from a distance. Many cultivars can be found but the most spectacular is California Glory with bright yellow flowers and a prolific bloom. Rhododendron occidentale (western azalea): One of the west coast s showiest shrubs is the only deciduous rhododendron species native to western North America. The flowers are the true stars here. White to deep rosy pink with yellow-orange markings, they are funnel shaped, grow in clusters, and are wonderfully fragrant. Aesculus californica (California buckeye): Considered the most resplendent of California flowering trees, the four- to twelve-inch bottlebrush-like flower clusters burst out in spring, erect on the branches. The name refers to the large, hard, shiny buckeye seeds that ripen in the fall after all the leaves have dropped.

3 Arctostaphylos hookeri ssp. franciscana (Franciscan manzanita): Although this SF native has been conserved in botanical gardens for many years, it was considered to be extinct in the wild for 70 years until spotted during Doyle Drive construction in That plant was moved to a secret location. However, hundreds of cuttings were taken, and dozens of starts have now taken root in the Garden. The small urn-shaped white flowers appear in winter followed by small, apple-like, edible fruits. (Manzanita is Spanish for little apple. ) In addition to the highlights above, towards the end of the spring blooming season, the meadow takes on a pink palette as the summer flowers of Clarkia begin. While at SFBG, visitors should not miss the opportunity to stroll into the Garden s famed Redwood Grove to appreciate one of the most remarkable and unique plant communities in the world. This century-old grove, full of towering coast redwoods, is an otherworldly sanctuary filled with lush shade-loving ferns, flowering currant, western azalea, huckleberry, and more than 100 species of plants that make their home in the redwood forest. This very special plant community can only thrive near the Pacific Coast where near constant cool and foggy weather protects tall trees from frost and drying winds. Highlights of the Redwood Grove collection include: Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwood): These tallest of living trees have thick, reddishbrown bark that gets its color from tannins, bitter chemicals that help the tree resist burning and insect damage. These trees are native to protected coastal valleys of northern California and Oregon, and the tallest trees in the Garden are over 100 years old. Oxalis oregana (redwood sorrel): This evergreen groundcover has light-sensitive leaves that fold in the sun. Pink flowers grow on slender stalks in the spring and summer. Asarum caudatum (wild ginger): This groundcover has distinctive heart-shaped leaves that cover the forest floor. In the summer, small cup-shaped maroon flowers have thin tails extending away from the blossom-like rays, and appear under the leaves in complete shade. A ginger odor is released through rubbing or crushing the leaves. Vaccinium ovatum (huckleberry): This evergreen shrub is one of the most common understory plants in the redwood forest. Small white bell-shaped flowers adorn it in spring, followed by deep blue berries in the fall. Lysichiton americanus (skunk cabbage): Growing along forest streams, the deep green leaves and bright yellow leaf-like flower of this plant become apparent in the summer along with the skunk-like odor that gives this plant its name.

4 Polystichum munitum (western sword fern): Thriving on the rich, moist forest floor, this fern usually grows to a height of two to four feet. It has a projection at the base of each leaflet, which resembles the hilt of a sword. RELATED PROGRAMMING Free native plant maps, highlighting key species and their location within the Garden, are available to the public. In addition, the Garden offers free native plant docent tours every Saturday, April 6 through May 18, at 2 PM, and visitors of all ages can ask questions and explore native plants in more depth at Garden Interpretation Stations on Sundays, April 7 through May 19, from 1:30-3:30 PM. Visitors can also find hundreds of native plant related items in The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture, Northern California's most comprehensive horticultural library. Free bibliographies for children and adults will be available on a variety of native plantrelated themes. A special exhibition Ernest Clayton California Wildflower Images will be on display and for sale in the Library through April. Presented in a style reminiscent of the arts and crafts tradition of the early 20th century, the paintings go beyond the usual stylized images of that era and present vivid and naturalistic pictures, combining the observations of a botanist with the aesthetics of a skilled artist. The fifty giclée prints in the exhibit include images of many well known and valued native plants including California buckeye, Matilija poppy, trillium, and shooting star. In the Bookstore, visitors enjoy special discounts on native plant items including books, greeting cards, and more. In addition, the Garden offers these special programs for adults and families in April and May: Family Funday on Sunday! Sundays, April 7 & 21, May 5 & 19; 10:30 AM 1:30 PM FREE (admission required for docent walks and craft activities following story readings free for San Francisco residents with proof of residency) Enjoy a special story in the library at 10:30 AM, then take a guided walk at 11 AM through the Garden of California Native Plants, connecting the morning s story to living plants. Drop by the Garden activity station between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to create a garden craft project to take home. For families with children ages Native Garden Tour Saturday, April 13; 10 AM 12 PM $15 general

5 Curator Dr. Don Mahoney will lead a tour through the Arthur L. Menzies California Native Garden and speak about the history of this truly magical garden. Wildflower Craft Cocktails and Twilight Tour Thursday, April 18; 7 9 PM $35 general; 21+ only Celebrate spring in the Garden of California Native Plants, sip on signature cocktails crafted with ingredients gathered from the garden, and go on a twilight guided tour of our spectacular garden to marvel at the riot of color. Native Garden Tour Saturday, April 20; 10 AM 12 PM $15 general Curator Dr. Don Mahoney will lead a tour through the Arthur L. Menzies California Native Garden and speak about the history of this truly magical garden. Native Plant Basket Weaving I: Overview of Basketry Plants and Techniques of Central California Indians Saturday, April 20; 10 AM 12 PM $30 general ($90 for both Part I and Part II) Come learn about a wide range of woody shoots, roots, and perennial plants used in basketry and cordage, each gathered and processed in time-honored ways. With sample plants and a collection of his own baskets at hand, Instructor Charlie Kennard will discuss a variety of weaving techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to practice splitting willow shoots. This is Part I of a two-part series, combining basket weaving techniques and construction. It is not necessary to sign up for both. Natives by Moonlight Thursday, April 25; 7-8:30 PM $15 general Gaze upon a kaleidoscope of colors under the silvery moonlight on a tour of the Garden of California Native Plants in the peak of the wildflower bloom. Native Plant Basket Weaving II: Tule Twined Basket Saturday, May 11; 9:30 AM 3:30 PM $70 general ($90 for both Part I and Part II) Well-known local basket weaver Charlie Kennard will help each participant to make a lightweight tule basket using several different weaves, suitable for gathering berries or holding small fruits, which may then be finished with a cordage handle.

6 This is Part II of a two-part series, combining basket weaving techniques and construction. It is not necessary to sign up for both. San Francisco Botanical Garden, located in Golden Gate Park with entrances on 9 th Ave at Lincoln Way and on Martin Luther King Drive off the Music Concourse, is open 365 days a year. The Garden opens at 9 AM. Last entry changes with the seasons as follows: 4 PM 1 st Sunday in November January; 5 PM February early March; 6 PM 2 nd Sunday in March September; 5 PM October early November. Admission for San Francisco residents (with proof of residence i.e. CA ID with SF address, or photo ID and utility bill) is FREE. Admission for non-residents is $7 general, $5 youth 12-17, seniors and students with ID; $2 children 5-11; children 4 and under FREE. Families of 2 adults and one or more child pay just $15. SFBG members receive free admission and discounts on fee-based programs. The public should call (415) or visit for more information. About San Francisco Botanical Garden San Francisco Botanical Garden is a living museum within Golden Gate Park, offering 55 acres of beautiful gardens displaying over 8,000 different kinds of plants from around the world. Highlights include the California Native Garden and the century old Redwood Grove; the unique Mesoamerican, Andean and Southeast Asian Cloud Forest collections; and the magnificent Magnolia collection, the most significant for conservation purposes outside China. Established in 1940 originally as Strybing Arboretum, San Francisco Botanical Garden is a partnership of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and the non-profit San Francisco Botanical Garden Society. ###