University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley
The garden was established in 1890 and has over 12,000 different kinds of plants from all over the world, many of them rare and endangered, spread over 34 acres in the Berkeley Hills. The plants are arranged by region in naturalistic landscapes.
Here are the details:
Location – 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA 94720-5045 (midway between UC Berkeley Memorial Stadium and 
Lawrence Hall of Science). Telephone (510) 643 2755 or click here. Admission – $5 adults, $3 over 65, free to children under 3
Car Park – $2.50 for 2 hours
We arrived at 9 a.m., just as they opened, so very few people there. We had the place more or less to ourselves and were able to wander about without seeing anybody else. Plenty of birds though and today I saw a couple of lizards as well.
[Click the image for a larger version]
Tom disappeared almost immediately into the New World Desert section, where the cacti are. I turned right and explored the California section. First I walked round the Alpine area and then made my way to the Oak Knoll. This is a great place for a picnic but no BBQs are allowed. Along the way there were display cases showing how the Native Americans used the natural resources that surrounded them, like acorns for food, soaproot to make glue for their baskets and also to catch fish and how they used the wood from the elderberry to make musical instruments. There were interesting display boards explaining different aspects of the region, for example where the Alpine areas are in California and what classifies chaparral plants.
I sat for a while in the Chaparral area and soaked in the atmosphere. A lizard emerged from between two logs and settled down to sun himself. This is the way they warm themselves up in the morning. All the while he kept a very watchful eye on me and I dared not move. Once he scurried away through the undergrowth and I was able to saunter off.
[Click the image for a larger version]
I spent some time on the bird deck. Around the edge are colorful tiles depicting all the birds that are likely to be spotted. All I saw today were some bushtits. First of all I heard them and then eventually saw them moving around in a small oak tree.
My next stop was Strawberry Creek. This rises just above the gardens, cuts through the university campus and makes it’s way to the Bay. Just hearing the sound of the water babbling away is very soothing.
Tom and I bumped into each other and then went our separate ways again, me to the Tropical House and Tom to the California section. I picked up a guide outside the Tropical House and it was very informative. Inside I saw a wonderful assortment of exotic plants including Coffee, Cinnamon, True Ginger, Black Pepper, Vanilla Orchid and Cacao – it was enough to make me very hungry!
It was nearly time to go but I just had to stop off at the plant shop. I was looking for something to fill in an empty spot in the garden and walked out with a Helleborus argutifollus costing a mere $8 – a bargain.
Must come again. Many more sections to exam and explore like Asia, Eastern North America, Australasia, Mediterranean, Mexico/Central American, South American and Southern Africa.
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July 24 2007 06:21 pm | Special Places
