Santa Cruz Botanical Gardens
Santa Cruz Botanical Gardens
I read an article recently (can’t remember which magazine it was in) about the botanical gardens at Santa Cruz. I checked their website and looked at the map to see where they were. I didn’t see the actual address but they were on Empire Grade and from its position on the map it looked like, traveling from Santa Cruz, they were on the left side of the road. As the gardens were part of the University of California Santa Cruz campus I expected that there would be signs from the university pointing us in the right direction.
We did see signs for the Arboretum and Norrie’s Gift Shop but it was on the right hand side, so we continued along scenic Empire Grade for several miles. Eventually we decided to turn around and head back to the arboretum and ask there where the botanical gardens were. Well, of course, they are one and the same thing. If only I had printed a map from the internet I would have known that. What threw me was the fact that I was expecting it to be on the left hand side.
We parked just inside and deposited our $10 in the post at the entrance. There is no entrance fee as such and donations are much appreciated. Near the post was a box with maps inside so I helped myself to one.
A short walk uphill took us to the gift shop where I wanted to pick up a leaflet on the Hummingbird Trail but it didn’t open until 10. It was almost 10 so I took a stroll around the Aroma Garden nearby. Tom also started in the same garden but he soon disappeared with his camera, on a mission of his own. There was one plant which overpowered everything with its perfume but it took me a while to discover exactly where and what it was. At first I thought it came from some white flowers growing over a metal archway. It turned out to emanate from yellow flowers on a small tree. Unfortunately I didn’t see a label near the tree which told me what species it was.
At 10.15 the gift shop still had not opened but I saw somebody inside. He opened the door and apologized but the volunteer had not arrived yet. I asked if there was a guide to the Hummingbird Trail. He looked but could not find anything and then went ‘up the hill’ to see if he could find one. While I waited I wandered around outside looking at the plants for sale. Was nearly tempted to buy one but thought I would wait until we left, as I didn’t want to carry it around with me. Ten minutes later the man came back but had no leaflet. Once again profuse apologies. He did tell me the best place to go to see hummingbirds though so off I trotted.
June 16 2009 | Special Places | No Comments »
