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Subject:     
Sent:        2/22/96 1:01 PM
To:          Medit- Plants, medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
             Ernie's files, sluggo@sirius.com

Have people mentioned their favorite public gardens with Mediterranean 
plants? In Northern California we are blessed with several unique and 
impressive public gardens. Within two hours of the inner Bay Area I would 
nominate the following locations as required places to visit.

Blake Gardens: high in the eastbay hills with great views of San 
Francisco Bay and city, lies a classic Mediterranean residential garden. 
Given to the University of California, it is now open to the public on 
weekdays. The residence on the property is the home of the President of 
the University. Its 11 acres host a variety of landscapes from green 
formal gardens to more naturalistic Mediterranean gardens. A great place 
for an quiet walk among mature specimens of plants from all around the 
world.   

Eastbay Regional Parks Botanic Garden (Tilden Botanic Garden, to locals): 
just over the hills from the busy San Francisco Bay Area in an old rock 
quarry site of seven acres lies Tilden Botanic Garden with impressive 
collections of California native plants arranged by floristic geographic 
regions ie., Sea Bluffs, Redwood forest,Channel Islands, Franciscan, 
Sierran, Pacific Rain Forest, Santa Lucia, Shasta-Cascade, Valley, 
Southern California. As you walk through each section you can really get 
a sense of the flora of each portrayed region of the state. During the 
winter they offer a great series of talks on western wildflowers, geology 
and geograhpy. If your into Calif. natives don't miss the plant sale. The 
Journal "Four Seasons" is a must for Calif. native plant enthusiasts.

Strybing Arboretum: Amongst the planted sand dunes of Golden Gate Park, 
San Francisco, a great collection of plants has developed. Because of the 
super mild & foggy climate of San Francisco many plants can be grown in 
the forty acres of this cool Mediterranean site. Many cloud rainforest 
plants from Central and South America feel right at home here. Among the 
significan collections are Calif. natives, fragrance garden, Magnolias, a 
primitve plant walk, Cape Province plants, Australian plants, Asian 
plants, South American plants, redwood forest, New World Cloudforest and 
some newly redone demo gardens. The Helen Crocker Russell Library which 
is located just inside the main entrance is the most complete 
horticultural library in northern California. Lots of classes, talks and 
walks, plus several "you don't want to miss" plant sales. Also, don't let 
the small size of the gift shop fool you. There are lots of great books 
inside!
 
Univ. of Calif. Botanic Garden: on the hilly eastern edge of the campus 
in Strawberry Canyon lies one of the great University Botanic Gardens 
with over 10,000 plants from all over the world planted out on 33 acres. 
Of special note are collections of plants from California, Asia, South 
Africa, New Zealand/Australia, South America, North America, New World 
Desert, Mesoamerican, and a collection of old roses, economic plants and 
chinese medicinal herbs. Spring and fall are major "you don't want to 
miss" plant sales. Classes and talks here every month. The recently 
redone meeting room hosts several plant group meetings such as the local 
chapter of the California Native Plant Society and the western chapter of 
the North American Rock Garden Society.

University of California at Santa Cruz Arboretum:
Perhaps the most unique Mediterranean garden in the greater S.F. Bay area 
with one of the largest collections of Australian plants outside of 
Australia. Within the 50 acres are large collections of Acacia, Banksia, 
Correa, Grevillea, Hibbertia, and Protea. Collections of plants from New 
Zealand, Chile, New Caledonia, South Africa and California can also be 
found here. Recently additions include a new library, meeting room and 
gift/plant shop. Lectures, classes and plant sales offer a wide range of 
plants from the collections. 

Western Hills Nursery: north of San Francisco in the California coastal 
range lies a unique nursery/garden. Although under private ownership, 
this garden/nursery of over three acres has always been part of public 
horticulture in northern California.If you are coming to the SF Bay area 
for plants/garden visiting, then Western Hills is a must. Lots of unusual 
plants can be seen in their mature glory and then bought in small carry 
home pots.The two original owners and creators of Western Hills, Lester 
Hawkins and Marshall Olbrich, have died but Maggie Wych, the present 
owner, was a employee that inherited the garden and tradition. Special 
place, special people. Call ahead for hours and days as they change 
throughout the year. 

Please tell us about your favorite public gardens! 

"When the sun rises, I go to work
When the sun sets, I take my rest
I dig the well from which I drink
I farm the soil that yields my food
I share creation, kings can do no more"
 - China  2500 BCE

Ernie G. Wasson
Horticulturist
in the Berkeley-Oakland hills
Sunset Zone 16/17, USDA Zone 9/10
"All Plants Considered" column at www.gardens.com
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