Immerse yourself in California’s native flora

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Immerse yourself in California’s native flora

April 28, 2008

Ready to leave civilization and lose yourself in the beauty of a floral landscape? Believe me, if I drove you there, you’d definitely get lost! ;)

A few weeks ago, I ran a post from a reader about visiting the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. The latest Westways magazine (a publication of AAA Auto Club, aaa.com) picked Antelope Valley as a top spot to visit to learn about California’s native flora.

Poppies

Here are some more entries on the Westways' list:

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
Tour a garden dedicated to the study of native California plants; research library has more than 48,000 books.
Where: 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont
Contact: 909-625-8767, rsabg.org
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Open daily, except major holidays
Suggested donation: $4 per person; $8 family

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
May and June are particularly good times to see native flora in this 78-acre garden.
Where: 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara
Contact: 805-682-4726, sbbg.org
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in winter; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. other months. Open daily, except major holidays and during special events
Admission: $8 for adults; $6 for seniors

Theodore Payne Foundation Nursery Garden
English nurseryman Theodore Payne spent his life promoting California’s plant communities; hundreds of native plants and seeds on view and available to buy. Foundation sponsors a garden tour in the spring.
Where: 10459 Tuxford Street, Sunland
Contact: 818-768-1802, theodorepayne.org
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday from July 1 to Oct. 15; Tuesday through Saturday from Oct. 16-June 30
Admission: Free

Arroyo Seco-South Pasadena Woodland and Wildlife Park
Restored pocket park features rarely seen native California walnut trees, among other plants.
Where: 100 block of Pasadena Avenue, South Pasadena
Contact: 626-584-9902, arroyoseco.org

Audubon Center at Debs Park
The 282-acre parkland offers hiking, nature trails and a pond in addition to the Audubon Learning Center.
Where: 4700 N. Griffin Ave., Los Angeles
Contact: 323-221-2255, audubon-ca.org/debs_park.htm
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Closed Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays

Fullerton Arboretum
A collection of more than 4,000 plants on 26 acres.
Where: 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton
Contact: 714-278-3407, arboretum.fullerton.edu

The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College
Mediterranean plants from all over the world attract visitors to this garden; California natives have a designated area. There are also displays showing how ancient tribes used basketry and ceremonial plants.
Where: 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon
Contact: 619-660-0614, thegarden.org
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Open daily, some holidays excepted.
Admission: Free

Flower Fact of the Day: Want to get your hands dirty in your own garden? Folks in the Minneapolis area are better off waiting until after Mother's Day. For the full report on when to plant what and where, visit: wcco.com/local/flowers.plantingadvice.2.709472.html.

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