My trip to South Coast Botanic Garden last week was focused on the garden's new 'Washed Ashore' exhibit of sculptures created from plastic materials that end up in our oceans, only to be spewed up on beaches. (You can view that post here.) This post picks up the where that one left off, focusing on what else is going on at that botanic garden this spring.
I'll start off with the plants that caught my attention as I walked through the garden.
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| The coral aloes (Aloe striata) were in full bloom |
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| SCBG has humongous Brugmansias |
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| I think these Ceanothus are the cultivar called 'Dark Star', a particularly vivid blue variety |
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| The Echium candicans near the garden's amphitheater were looking especially beautiful |
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| Another view |
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| This section of the California garden was shining with a noID Euphorbia and Encelia californica (aka bush sunflower) |
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| The coral trees (Erythrina caffra) were all coming into bloom |
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| As were the California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) |
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| This tree fuchsia (Fuchsia arborescens) had a head start on the smaller plants in the Fuchsia Garden |
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| These Kalanchoe beharensis (aka velvet-leaf, felt bush and elephant's ear) appeared to have grown from trunks growing along the ground. They're the healthiest specimens I've seen in years. |
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| I've no idea what these shrubs are but they were splashy |
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| The tropical greenhouse featured these Phalaenopsis (aka moth orchids) |
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| Raphiolepsis indica (aka Indian hawthorn) are considered ordinary here but they're pretty in an informal mass like this |
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| I always check out the Wisteria growing atop the arbor in this area adjacent to the Japanese Garden but, as I walked around the larger garden, I was surprised by just how much Wisteria there was to be found. |
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| As in my own garden, the calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) were at their best |
Construction of the new Children & Family Garden, slated to open sometime in 2024, is underway, disrupting the flow of the garden and eliminating access to some areas but the staff made one change since my last visit that I think is helpful.
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| The truck drivers were working hard resculpting the area for the new garden. Access to my favorite Banyan Grove is very limited. |
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| There were no signs up to explain the work-in-progress back in February, when I last visited. Now there are several attached to the area that's been fenced off. The bottom 2 signs are artistic renderings of the future space, which among other things will include a view from above the fig (banyan) trees. |
I'd been told that SCBG's propagation area had been closed and was to be eliminated but, on this occasion, I noticed signs that it was still in use.
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| I didn't see anyone working there but there were plenty of plants in pots and it's hard to believe that no one's tended them since the propagation team was furloughed during the pandemic |
The garden didn't have a fall plant sale and I've heard nothing about the prospects for a spring sale. With all the construction activity, maybe the staff doesn't want to complicate things by holding a sale but it's always brought in a lot of people so I find it surprising if they've shelved it. On the other hand, without an active propagation team, perhaps they don't have the plants to offer. There are plants available for sale near the exit but frankly I wasn't impressed by what was on offer, or the prices.
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| I was incredulous that they were selling a very common succulent cutting in a 2-inch pot for $4. All the cuttings in 2-inch pots seemed to be priced the same way. |
Next Up: My Bloom Day post, which I expect to publish on Friday, assuming I can get my photos together. With all the rain we've had, it's an epic April for the blooms in my garden.
All material © 2012-2023 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party