- Author: Lanie Keystone
In my previous Master Gardener Blog, I took a “wonderful walk in the woods”. There I described the beauty, wonder and very practical creation of urban forests in Surrey, British Columbia and other Canadian cities. While researching this topic, I came upon a very exciting discovery: We have our own California Urban Forests Council!
The California Urban Forests Council, (CaUFC), was founded in 1968--the first urban forest council in the country. They are professionals associated with municipalities and public works, urban planning and design, arboriculture and the nursery industry, as well as community-based and public health organizations. The membership is widespread across a broad range of needs and visions.
This dedicated group advances smart investment in urban and community trees, parks and green spaces through outreach and education, as well as community-based activities and collaborative action. Their efforts support successful local, regional and statewide urban forestry programs, projects, often with other organizations. They also create and disseminate educational materials, offering research and professional expertise to encourage and empower California residents to participate in urban greening and forestry. They accomplish their efforts by working with local, state and regional leaders to improve public policy and support for urban and community forestry. In addition, they create new and continue existing public funding resources which support the management of trees and green spaces throughout the state.
As their Mission states, they “envision thriving and prosperous California communities transformed by healthy trees and green spaces: We advance smart investment in green infrastructure through education and outreach, community-based activities and collaborative actions.”
The Council is made up of seven regional councils: The Bay Area Urban; Sacramento Valley; San Joaquin; Inland; San Diego Regional; Street Tree; and Central Coast Urban Forest Councils. Each provides essential expertise and assistance to their respective regions. They also organize events and activities to help create responsive and beautiful communities. Among other activities, these councils are there to answer questions, organize workshops, host conferences, help plant trees, aid in professional development, fundraise, and host Arbor Day events.
As part of the outreach and educational efforts, the organization produces a monthly newsletter online. It's easy to sign up for this exciting resource, and what a delight to receive it in your inbox. Through the newsletter, one can keep up with the Councils' activities and there are always interesting and important volunteer opportunities just waiting to be had. Once again, California has led the way toward imaginative and important work. As for this blogger, just poking around while doing research for a blog has led to another valuable discovery.
- Author: Jennifer M Baumbach
Join us for a hands-on, creative adventure where you'll design a one-of-a-kind succulent centerpiece to bring your holiday table to life. Using beautifully vibrant, locally grown Master Gardener succulents paired with natural embellishments, you'll unleash your creativity and leave with a stunning masterpiece! Plus, enjoy light refreshments as you mingle with fellow plant lovers in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. Don't miss this chance to make something truly special while having a blast—reserve your spot now!
https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=43412
- Author: Erin Mahaney
Whenever I read about a plant that is described as a prolific self-seeder or self-sower, red flags go up. Is this code for an aggressive, invasive species that I'll regret growing in my yard? It is easy to check before making a purchase by conducting a quick search of California Invasive Plant Council's (Cal-IPC) plant database or PlantRight's priority invasive list.
Cal-IPC's mission is to protect California's environment and economy from invasive plants. (https://www.cal-ipc.org.) Cal-IPC maintains the California Invasive Plant Inventory, “a comprehensive list of invasive plants based on ecological impacts, as well as ‘Watch' plants that may become invasive in the future.” (https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/inventory/.) Each plant is assessed using a criteria system with documented sources.
PlantRight works with California's nursery industry to limit invasive species and to promote the sale of exclusively non-invasive alternatives. (https://plantright.org.) According to PlantRight's website, it worked with “researchers at University of Washington and University of California, Davis to develop the PlantRight Plant Risk Evaluator (PRE) a method for determining a plant's potential for becoming invasive in any specific region.” PlantRight uses “this tool to determine which plants have a high risk of becoming invasive, which plants require more research, and which plants have a low risk of becoming invasive in a particular area.” (https://plantright.org/approach/.) Plants found to be high risk using PRE or are listed on Cal-IPC's Invasive Plant Inventory are placed on the priority invasive plant list.
Several years ago I planted Scabiosa atropurpurea, also known as pincushion flower, sweet Scabiosa, or Mourningbride. (There are other species of Scabiosa, such as Scabiosa caucasica, but this article focuses on Scabiosa atropurpurea.) The plant readily self-sows, but it is easy to remove when it gets too exuberant and begins to take over the garden plot.
I planted Scabiosa atropurpurea to use as a cut flower. The approximately 1-1.5” flowers resemble miniature pincushions on 18” stems. The flowers range from white to purple with colors in between, such as pink and lavender. In my yard, the plant blooms constantly from spring to late summer and attracts pollinators. It is low maintenance and grows to approximately 3' tall by 2' wide. It propagates by seeds. The flowers are a nice airy addition to a bouquet.
I thought I had checked the Cal-IPC rating when I purchased the plant, but regardless, I didn't think too much more about it until I recently saw several plants along a narrow dirt path in a local state recreation area. After that, I noticed them everywhere! They were often growing in disturbed areas along roads and trails.
According to Cal-IPC, Scabiosa atropurpurea is rated as “Watch.” It has a PRE rating of “high potential risk” by PlantRight and is listed as a plant to watch. (https://plantright.org/watch/scabiosa-atropurpurea/ .) PlantRight states that the plant was considered for addition to the invasive list from 2012 to 2014 but was not included at that time. Not surprisingly, it has naturalized in 18 California counties, including places in the San Francisco Bay area and central and south coast ranges of California. It has been listed as invasive in other countries and areas with a similar climate, such as Chile, New Zealand, and South Australia.
I don't plan on tearing out my Scabiosa just yet, but I will annually check Cal-IPC's and PlantRight's ratings for any change in status. I'll also attempt to minimize the invasive potential of the plant by keeping the plant contained in a specific area and deadheading spent flowers to limit seed production.
- Author: Cindy Yee
It does feel strange not to have been back until now. I am so glad, however, that we finally vacationed in Victoria recently. Butchart is everything I remember it to be and more.
Since many say that no trip to Victoria is complete without afternoon tea, we had tea at Butchart Gardens and the Empress Hotel. They were both delightful experiences, but we agreed that Empress was “one and done”, and Butchart is the tea to repeat. The reason is founder Mrs. Jennie Butchart's lovely private garden setting and the overall wonderful day we had exploring the various gardens. Our tea was served in a Victorian atrium filled with plants and overlooking the idyllic flower-filled space.