Garden Notes

Wherever you go in California, you are likely to see oak trees. They are so common that we might take them for granted, but once we learn about the extensive contributions they make to wildlife, people, and our environment, it's hard to look at them in the same way.

The key to summer salads is fresh ingredients. So, whether you head out to the garden or the local farmer's market, be sure to sample the bounty of summer's harvest.

Ellen Zagory was Director of Horticulture of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Gardens, fondly referred to as the Arb, when the Arboretum All-Stars plant list came to be created in the early 2000s.

As summer arrives in full swing, gardens burst into life with a dazzling array of vibrant, sun-loving plants. From bold blooms to lush foliage, the summer season offers an abundance of botanical beauty perfect for creating a stunning, thriving garden. PERENNIAL FLOWER: Herbaceous peony.

Being out and about in the cool, morning summer air can be a great source of joy and surprise as we encounter sudden beauty in our gardens. The slow-to-ripen strawberries and cherries suddenly are ripe all at once. Landscape flowers seemingly out of nowhere are in full bloom.