Sustainable Horticulture

Making Transitions in Life and in a Garden

Ann Daniel, volunteer and former board president for the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, moved to Davis from Austin, Texas and quickly got to work creating a climate-ready landscape for her own yard as well as helping serve as a catalyst for the development of other test gardens in her retirement community.

Notes from the Nursery

Taylor Lewis, nursery manager, recommends a few plants he doesn't want you to miss when shopping at our upcoming plant sales. In addition to his brief critiques we included more information about these selections from our plant inventory photo gallery.

Leave the Leaves to Help Pollinators

This fall, as part of our affiliation with Bee Campus USA, the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is encouraging residents to “leave the leaves”, a seasonal effort to provide habitat for beneficial insects, pollinators, and other invertebrates. 

Make Habitat a Habit

We are fortunate to live in California, with its wondrous diversity of flora and large natural areas that are not only places of beauty but also sources of spiritual and emotional refreshment.

Building Blocks for Resilient Gardens

As we look to the future, we want to broaden our scope to support landscapes that are not just sustainable, but also resilient. Find plant recommendations and tips on how to build a resilient garden at home.

Learning by Leading Program Impact | Levy Hernandez

Below is a letter written to staff at the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden from a former Learning by Leading™ program participant, Levy Hernandez, who was inspired to share more about the impact the program had on his choice of career and his desire to improve the environment around his home town.

Seasons Greetings!

The Central Valley garden in winter

In California’s Central Valley, the onset of winter’s cool, wet weather marks the beginning of the growing season for California native and Mediterranean climate plants. Comparable to early spring in colder, continental climates, this is the season when root growth begins and summer drought-adapted plants emerge from dormancy, leafing out and, in some cases, bursting into bloom.