April 2013 - San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

A Publication of Friends of SLO Botanical Garden
Volume 24 • April 2013
Upcoming Events
Details at: slobg/events-classes
$3 County parking fee on weekends.
Photo provided by Gardens by Gabriel
March 22 to June 9
9th Annual Art Eco In the Garden
Details and artwork images at
slobg.org/art-eco.
Sunday, April 7, 4 PM
Oak Glen Pavilion Concert Series Keith Greeninger
Keith captivates audiences with only a
guitar in hand and a song with a story to
tell. $20 members/$25 non-members.
Limited seating, tickets and music
samples at slobg.org/keith-greeninger.
See article inside.
Saturday, April 13, 1 PM - 3 PM
Saturday at the Garden Exciting Mediterranean Plants
A beautiful presentation of wonders with
Gardens by Gabriel owner Gabriel Frank.
$5 members/$10 non-members.
See article opposite.
Saturday, April 20, 1 PM - 3 PM
Saturday at the Children’s Garden Kids’ eARTh Day!
Create recycled art projects and more!
$5 donation for non-members.
Details at slobg.org/kids-earth-day.
Sunday, April 21, 10 AM - 5 PM
Earth Day OPEN HOUSE!
Enjoy live music, presentations, kids’
activities, vendors, tours and more!
FREE event, details at
earthdayalliance.com.
Saturday, April 27, at 3 PM
Artist Led Art Eco Tour
Take a free guided tour with
refreshments through this year’s
Art Eco show with participating artists!
Details at slobg.org/art-eco-tour.
Exciting New Plants for
Mediterranean Climate Landscaping
Saturday at the Garden – April 13, 1 PM - 3 PM
Looking to give your landscaping that boost of color and charisma? Join us for
a visually stunning presentation on new and exciting plants for your yard. Local
landscaper Gabriel Frank, of Gardens by Gabriel, will explore new and compelling
plant selections from across the mediterranean regions of the world. Pulling plant
cultivars and species from around the globe, Gabriel will lead a slideshow revealing
some untapped and underused plants that are well-adapted to our coastal climate.
Gabriel Frank is a horticulturist, landscape designer, and botanical zealot. He has
gardened his way across the US from his home state of Florida, up through the
Carolinas and New York, and finally migrating west to call coastal California his home.
The fusion of our abundant plant palette with a beautiful year-round climate forges the
grounds for his unending experiments in garden creation.
Presentation is $5 for members/$10 non-members. Followed at 2 PM by a free docentled tour of the Garden. For more information contact our Education Coordinator at
[email protected] or 805.541.1400x304.
A $3 fee is charged for parking by San Luis Obispo County Parks in El Chorro
Regional Park April through September on weekends and holidays.
Saturday at the Children’s Garden – Kids’ eARTh Day!
Saturday, April 20, 1 PM - 3 PM
Join us in the Children’s Garden for creative recycling art projects, a gardening party,
and more! Activity is $5 donation per family for non-members. For more information
call 805.541.1400x304 or [email protected]. $3 County parking fee on weekends.
Mike’s Field Notes –
Earth Day. What a great concept! A holiday for the planet we
currently occupy. Not a holiday for a person or war or religious
moment, a holiday for our Earth. I was to graduate high school
six weeks after the first Earth Day, and felt empowered by
the swarm of twenty million Americans representing every
imaginable political, geographical, and ethnic group that
gathered nationwide in peaceful protest. Rachel Carson’s
Silent Spring had debuted eight years before and sold more
than a half-million copies, and that book, along with the widely
reported horrors of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, created the
momentum that became Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Within
eight months, a nearly-unified Congress had established a new
Cabinet-level agency, the Environmental Protection Agency.
And as a result of the energy and success of that first Earth Day
(as well as having lots of spare time to grow a small vegetable
garden thanks to a state-wide teacher’s strike in my sophomore
year), I decided to study plants and their relationship to people
by pursuing a career in botanical gardens.
Botanical gardens are not really about reducing air pollution
or making our waters more pure – yet they can address those
issues, too. Science since 1970 has shown that plants can be a
big part of the solution, absorbing airborne pollutants in urban
areas as well as mitigating runoff into our watersheds. And with
climate change a reality, perhaps carbon sequestration through
planting trees can help to save us from ourselves.
At San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, we connect people to
nature. And we have chosen to celebrate plants native to our
climate to provide that connection. In our approach we aim
to operate sustainably and to promote sustainable choices
for plants, gardens and buildings, too. We’re not preventing
polluters from fouling our air and water; we’re simply presenting
an alternative path to a lifestyle that will allow us to continue to
occupy Earth.
Come visit us as we celebrate the
43rd Earth Day with the Earth Day
Alliance at the Garden and within
El Chorro Regional Park on Sunday,
April 21, 2013.
Best to you,
Mike Bush, Executive Director
Celebrate the Earth!
by Lindsey Collinsworth, Education Coordinator
With its vast oceans, dynamic landscapes, amazing animals,
and wondrous plants, Earth is a unique and incredible
place to live. Since 1970, April 22 has been dedicated as
a celebration of the Earth, focusing on preserving and
protecting our beautiful planet. From planting trees, to riding
bikes, and recycling, I personally do everything I can to care
for my home, planet Earth. Small changes create big effects,
and I hope you will join me in reducing water usage, waste,
and carbon emissions.
Join us at the Garden for Earth friendly activities:
April 13, 1 PM - 3 PM: Mediterranean Plants for
Landscaping with local landscaper Gabriel Frank of
Gardens by Gabriel. slobg.org/exciting-landscaping,
County Park fee applies.
April 20, 1 PM - 3 PM: Kids’ eARTh Day with recycled art
projects and planting activities, featuring local artists.
slobg.org/kids-earth-day, County Park fee applies.
April 21, 10 AM - 5 PM: Earth Day Music Festival,
a FREE all-day celebration of our wonderful planet.
Earthdayalliance.com
Volunteer Spotlight –
Taking Thank You a Step Further!
by Kristina Van Wert, Director of Volunteers
Thinking about volunteering but still not convinced? How about a few
extra perks? We value our volunteers and make every effort to provide
recognition; some like a simple “Thank You,” while others want a bit
more. Active volunteers now receive:
• Seasonal pass into El Chorro Regional Park
• Invitations to spring and summer Volunteer Lunches and the December
Holiday Open House
• 10 hours: Invitation to the Annual Volunteer BBQ & Potluck in the fall
Tip of the Month –
Spring cleaning? Consider weeding your bookshelves!
The SLOBG Library welcomes donations of Garden-related
books. Any that aren’t shelved can be sold during the fall plant
sale. Email [email protected] for details.
• 50 hours: Free annual household membership for yourself or to give as
a gift
• 500 hours: Special Achievement Certificate
• 1000 hours: Lifetime Membership which can only be earned by
volunteers!
Ready to join? Contact me at 805.541.1400x305 or [email protected]!
2013 Oak Glen Pavilion Concert Series Keith Greeninger – Humanity and Soul in Songs
Staff
Executive Director ..................................... Mike Bush
Business Manager .............................. Debbie Hoover
Director of Volunteers ...................... Kristina Van Wert
Education Coordinator ................ Lindsey Collinsworth
Special Event Coordinator ..................Christine Hance
Gardener ............................................ Shay Blackburn
San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden
3450 Dairy Creek Rd. San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
www.slobg.org
805.541.1400
FAX 805.541.1466
Phone service sponsored by
Blue Rooster Telecom
Business Sponsors
Platinum Member
Gold Members
Sunday, April 7 at 4 PM
by Pandora Nash-Karner, Concert Producer
Photo provided by Keith Greeninger
Board of Directors
President ...........................................Ke-Ping Tsao, M.D.
Vice-President .............................. Pandora Nash-Karner
Treasurer .............................................Fred Bogart, CPA
Secretary ..................................................... Gaby Levine
SLO County Parks Liaisons.......................... Curtis Black
Deputy Director — Parks
Jill Bolster-White • Helen Sipsas • Eve Vigil • Naomi Kinney
I first heard Keith Greeninger perform at
Joe Craven’s music camp last summer.
Keith (who reminds me of Hugh Jackman)
unpretentiously walked on stage, and like
Susan Boyle, took everyone by surprise!
Why? Is it his deep, textured voice, his rich,
engaging songwriting, or his deft playing?
With nothing more than a guitar and a song
with a story to tell, Keith holds his audience
captive and leaves them begging for more.
His husky heart-felt vocals and aggressive acoustic guitar style offer far more than the
standard bill-of-fare of singer/songwriters, offering greater musicality and sensitivity.
Keith is that rare performer for whom people lean forward in their seats, eager to
capture every note and word.
Keith paints intricate portraits of the human condition with powerful melodic images,
deep engaging guitar rhythms and warm heart-wrenching vocals. He is an awardwinning singer/songwriter, including winner of the prestigious Telluride Troubadour
National Song Writing Competition and the Kerrville Texas Folk Songwriters
Competition. He has performed at many festivals including the Kate Wolf Memorial
Music Festival, and in performance halls throughout the United States.
His CDs are compelling examples of classic songwriting presented with deep
humanity and bravery, stunning artistry and soul. They are intense and many-layered
compilations of Keith’s ballads to nature and the human condition.
Reserve tickets early online at slobg.org/keith-greeninger or purchase them at Eve’s
Garden Shop, open daily 9 AM - 5 PM. Advance tickets $20 members/$25 nonmembers; $30 at the door. Free docent-lead tour at 2:30 PM, doors open at 3:30 PM
for concert seating. $3 County parking fee on weekends.
9th Annual Art Eco in the Garden Silver Members
print • apparel • creative • mail • web
Supporting Business Members
Dan Copp, D.D.S. and Ron Barbieri, D.D.S.
Los Osos Valley Nursery
Native Sons Wholesale Nursery
SAGE Eco Gardens & Nursery
Event Sponsors
Glenn Burdette
Halter Ranch Vineyards
Rabobank
Help our Garden grow...become a Business
Member. Visit our NEW website at slobg.org/
help-us-grow/business-support to find out
how we can be business partners.
Photo ‘Sunbeam’ by Paula Teplitz
On exhibit now through June 9
Art lovers have plenty of time to gather family and
friends and enjoy these unique pieces of artwork in
our beautiful Garden. Take a sneak preview of the
art at slobg.org/art-eco or on the Garden’s Facebook
page. All pieces of art are available for purchase,
with proceeds supporting the Garden. Sponsored by
Frame Works and supported by a grant from the
City of San Luis Obispo.
Support your Garden while having a
“monstrously” good time!
Three seasons ago San Luis Obispo based Kelrik Productions adopted the Kelrik
Cares Program, selecting a different organization for each production, and raising
money and awareness for their causes. This year they have graciously teamed up with
the Garden for the 1950’s spoof of the plant-oriented production, Little Shop of Horrors.
Little Shop of Horrors tells the story of a down-and-out skid row floral assistant who
becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious
craving for fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed,
R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its
growing appetite.
Details, show-times and tickets can be found at kelrikproductions.org.
Friends of SLO Botanical Garden
3450 Dairy Creek Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
www.slobg.org
Item of the Month –
Long Sleeve Poppy T-Shirts
by Janet Swanson, Volunteer
As we change seasons from cool to warm, we are offering a great deal
on our item of the month in Eve’s Garden Shop: our long sleeve t-shirts
with the ever-popular San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden poppy logo!
The women’s t-shirts are a blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester and
come in sizes from small to extra large. Made in a mid-weight fabric, they
have a stretchy ribbed collar and cuffs and are double-needle stitched for
durability. The men’s t-shirts are 100% pre-shrunvvk cotton and available
in large and extra large. They are also double-needle stitched and have
ribbed cuffs.
The colors of the shirts for both men and women are black, royal blue,
and purple. Our bright orange poppy logo creates a beautiful contrast
to the deep shades of the background. These are beautiful high quality
t-shirts, perfect for cool coastal evenings while showing off your love for
the Garden!
For the month of April these long sleeve t-shirts will be 15% off for
members and 10% off for non-members.
Fun is guaranteed when wearing one of our great long sleeve t-shirts!
Plant of the Month –
The Majestic Mallow!
by Ron Kindig, Volunteer
The tree mallow (Lavatera maritima) produces its gorgeous
blooms most of the year, especially spring through fall. The
flowers look like hibiscus; it’s from the same family (Malvaceae).
Its large evergreen maple-like leaves form a fitting backdrop for
its flowers. Find it in the south end of Bed H in our Garden.
Photo by Ken Levine
It’s a large plant; it can grow to 8 ft. high and 12 ft. wide. Use it as
a backdrop, a screen, a stunning accent, or in a large container
near the patio. It responds well to heavy fall pruning for size
control and interesting shapes. It’s good near the coast; it resists
wind and salt spray. It attracts birds, bees, and butterflies, but
deer generally avoid it. It is hardy to 20°F.
It comes to us from the Mediterranean Basin, in particular the
south coast of France. Be sure that your soil is well-drained; it
has naturalized in the sandy soils of our own California Santa
Barbara and Santa Catalina Islands.
Specimens of tree mallow are for sale
at Eve’s Garden Shop.
Photo by Ron Kindig
Lavatera maritima was chosen for the Garden’s 128 of Our Best,
which includes plant photos, descriptions, and uses of 128 of the
Garden’s best plants for the landscape. This book is available
in Eve’s Garden Shop. Find out more about our plants at our
website at slobg.org/what-we-grow.