U.C. Botanical Garden

Plant lovers can’t miss a visit to the University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley. More than 13,000 types of plants from almost every continent thrive across the garden’s 34 acres. With such a vast collection, it’s impossible to see it all in just one day.

One approach is to visit just a few areas of the garden at a time. The plants here are cultivated by region, and nearly all of them were brought in from the wild. Perhaps you can begin at the Asia Collection, where sunny, dry patches contrast with damp, shady spots, helping subtropical plants from China, Japan, Korea, the Himalayas, Siberia, and more feel right at home.

From there, move on to the Eastern North America Collection, where forest communities of birch, oak, maple, and tulip trees boast carpets of floral displays. Or, roam over to the Mexican and Central American Collection, housing rare and endangered species of magnolia, pine and spruce that are threatened by habitat loss in their native lands.

Other regional collections of the U.C. Botanical Garden stem from Australia, the Mediterranean, South America, Southern Africa, and various desert environments, from the southwest United States to Argentina. California native plants make up a third of the collection. Representing close to one-quarter of the state’s native species, the U.C. Botanical Garden showcases one of the largest species collections of native California plants out there.

Another strategy is so seek out your favorite plant families. If you love orchids, for instance, there are more than 1,000 of them here, representing over 700 plant groups of orchids alone. In fact, a new species of orchid, Ornithidium donaldeedodii, was discovered at the U.C. Botanical Garden as recently as April of 2010. In addition to the orchid, you’ll find hundreds of varieties of cactus, sunflower, lily, and heath. From medicinal plants to plants that fly and eat meat, there’s something here to fascinate everyone.

If you’re feeling lost already, keep in mind that you don’t need to navigate the mystery of the flowers alone. Free, docent-led tours are offered year-round with admission price. Or, you can schedule a specially-tailored group tour for adults, children, or special groups.

The U.C. Botanical Garden is a non-profit museum and research garden for U.C. Berkeley, with a goal of supporting plant diversity and research and promoting knowledge and understanding of the natural environment. The garden hosts regular plant sales, arts and crafts events, and live music.

HelloSanFrancisco tip: Get into the garden for free on the first Thursday of each month.  
 

- by Renee M. Rutledge, San Francisco Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Renee M. Rutledge

Renee M. Rutledge currently writes articles on local travel and culture for Red Tricycle, Parents' Press, Oakland Magazine, and Alameda Magazine.