Ongoing research

Elderberry By Jutta Thoerner UCCE Master Gardener Sambucus nigra subspecies caerulea syn. Sambucus mexican Size of tree: 10-25 feet high and wide. PH: 5-9, will tolerate alkaline soils USDA hardy zone: 6-10 Bloom description and season: flat topped clusters of tiny, creamy-white flowers.

It's an exasperating experience. You go to the nursery, pick out a flowering plant, shrub, or tree and bring it home only to have some critter damage or destroy it within the first week. Pests cause damage and waste time and money.

I am heading out on vacation tomorrow. That means I spent much of the week trying to check things off the list that aren't due until early August.

Dear UC ANR Community, Once again we are facing the challenges wrought by multiple wildfires around the state.

Wildfires that generate their own weather, drought, record-breaking heatwaves, and frequent flooding are compelling more people to try to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

PowerPoint slides that give an overview of UC ANR are now available in the ANR communications toolkit. If you are giving a presentation and need some background information about UC ANR, you can select what you need from a set of 14 slides.

Unify-Communicate-Advocate The UC ANR Strategic Initiatives offer a home for strategic thought - drawing on members of the wider UC ANR community and beyond to 1) help people connect and 2) to help them identify and address issues of current and emerging importance.

The Beatles sang "I Want to Hold Your Hand." The elm leaf beetles and their larvae don't want to hold your hand--unless perhaps you're holding a elm leaf that they can eat. A recent walk down the 200 block of Buck Avenue, Vacaville, California, revealed the damage this pest does.

Leucadendron By Leonard Cicerello UCCE Master Gardener Leucadendron galpinii Planting areas: Sunset zones 16,17, 20-24 Size: 6'-8' tall and 4'-6' wide. Bloom season: Early spring through summer. Exposure: Full sun. Pruning needs: Snip a little to maintain compact shape. Water needs: Moderate water.

Savory Jellies By Dawn Peters UCCE Master Food Preserver Who does not love a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich or after school toast with strawberry jelly? Now it's time to explore the more exciting, mature side of jelly.