A TOUR OF THE GARDEN As an exotic tropical relative of the the leaves change color, ranging from red Montalvo Arts Center is dedicated to hibiscus family, the abutilon (pronounced and purple to yellow and bronze. artistic and natural diversity, bringing the “ah-'BEAUTY-lawn”) carries the common Asian societies revere this elegant community together in its inclusive name “flowering maple,” referring to the deciduous tree as a symbol of balance, environment. Visitors are encouraged to maple tree shaped leaves. Visitors to the harmony, peace and serenity. explore the arboretum's collection of trees Montalvo Box Office often notice the and shrubs from all over the world. Tiger Eye Flowering Maple (1) (Abutilon ‘Tiger Eye’), and admire the hanging yellow or orange flowers with a red-veined pattern. Since the mildly toxic sap may cause skin irritation, experienced gardeners advise wearing long sleeves and gloves when handling.

Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis) Beyond the Mermaid Pond, a rare tree survives in seclusion. Discovered in 1994 in Australia, the Wollemi Pine (5) (Wollemia nobilis) contains a distinctive bark texture, resembling dark-brown bubbles. Fewer than 100 of these endangered trees exist in the world. A few trees have been distributed to botanical gardens for research and preservation.

Blue Flame Agave (Agave ‘Blue Flame’) With its graceful leaves curving inward, the Blue Flame Agave (2) (Agave ‘Blue Flame’) resembles a blue gas flame. This hybrid displays desirable qualities from its parent succulents. The parent Coastal Agave (Agave shawii) bestows its cold- temperature hardiness and serrated leaf edges. The Fox Tail Agave (Agave attenuata) confers its beautiful From the Box Office at the southern end blue-green color and graceful form. Camperdown Elm of the Front Lawn, the visitor’s walking (See number 9 in the Cactus Garden (Ulmus glabra ‘Camperdownii’) tour proceeds along the Eastern Garden section.) The Camperdown Elm (6) Trail, through the Italianate Garden and the (Ulmus glabra ‘Camperdownii’), with its Cactus Garden. Descriptions of prominent THE EASTERN GARDEN TRAIL twisted branches and dense weeping foliage trees along the Western Garden Trail and Named after the Katsura Imperial which form an umbrella shape, was on the Front Lawn complete the tour. Villa in Kyoto, the graceful, discovered in 1835 in Dundee, Scotland.

ornamental Weeping Katsura’s (3) The forester for the Earl of Camperdown IN FRONT OF THE BOX OFFICE (Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Pendula’) transplanted the tree to the estate garden, branches form an umbrella-shaped crown. and later grafted branches onto other elm The blue-green heart-shaped leaves turn trees. yellow in the autumn. Since the 4th Earl of Camperdown had no children to inherit the title, only the trees The horizontal branches of the graceful carry the name. While generations admire Japanese Maple (4) (Acer palmatum) its cascading elegant form, children enjoy form a dome shape. Containing natural playtime under the natural fortress formed genetic variety, over 1,000 have by the canopy of branches. been developed for desired characteristics. Tiger Eye Flowering Maple The delicate, lacy leaves may contain 5, 7 (Abutilon ‘Tiger Eye’) or 9 pointed lobes. During the seasons,

Montalvo Arts Center • 15400 Montalvo Road • Saratoga CA 95070 • 1 (408) 961-5858 • www.montalvoarts.org Montalvo Arts Center

THE ITALIANATE GARDEN On the other side of the Cactus Garden, THE WESTERN GARDEN TRAIL botanical family relative Purple Aeonium (Aeonium arboreum ‘Atropurpureum’) is an evergreen succulent that resembles a rose. With partial shade, the leaves turn a reddish purple. It blooms during late winter and early spring, producing star-shaped flowers. Growing as high as 3.5 feet tall, it is very hardy, preferring a sandy, medium moisture soil that has good drainage and full sun. This Matilija Poppy succulent is also drought-resistant and ( coulteri) pest- and disease-free. The Matilija Poppy (7) [ma-'TEE-lee-ha] is named after the Chumash chief Matilija, who lived in Ventura County, . The botanical name (Romneya coulteri) honors the Irish Evergreen Dogwood astronomer Thomas Romney Robinson. (Cornus capitata ‘Mountain Moon’) The are native to California and northern Mexico. The plant may grow to The Evergreen Dogwood (10) eight feet tall. This plant has the largest (Cornus capitata ‘Mountain Moon’) is a flower of any member of the poppy beautiful tall tree, with a semi-round or family—up to 5.1 inches across with bright Fox Tail Agave pyramid shape, grown for its fragrant yellow centers. The Matilija Poppy can be (Agave attenuata) flowers and fruit. In late spring, the entire used on hillsides as soil binders. They are The evergreen succulent perennial tree is covered in creamy-white flowers invasive, spreading underground. They can Fox Tail Agave (9) (Agave attenuata) that transform into strawberry-like fruits be found in burned areas where they are presents an attractive rosette of pale that attract songbirds. given the name “fried egg flower.” These grayish-green leaves that have a silvery During the autumn, the red berries plants are difficult to establish, but once cast. They can grow up to four feet in appear. The fruit is edible but sometimes they take root are hard to remove. The width. Reproduction takes place in late bitter (appetizing to birds, but not so much plants are very poisonous. summer and early autumn when the plant for some people). The tree is native to

produces small plantlets alongside a showy Southeast Asia, but adapts well to the THE CACTUS GARDEN flower stalk. These plantlets fall to the Bay Area climate, able to tolerate ground and (hopefully) take root close by. temperatures as low as 15°F. Plants that have a grayish color in the Evergreen Dogwood is a popular and daytime (color is a tactic which the plant appealing choice for gardens for its easy uses to maintain a cooler temperature) care and lovely presentation. display a different face when the sun sets and the moon rises. The rosettes sparkle in THE FRONT LAWN the moonlight, particularly if they receive Perhaps the world's most ancient tree at moisture from the evening dew! over 200 million years old, the The thick stem can reach up to four feet Maidenhair Tree (11) (Ginkgo biloba) Large Purple Aeonium tall. Native to Mexico, this drought-tolerant is used for tea and herbal remedies. (Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’) succulent grows in a wide range of climate The unconventional spelling, ending conditions, although it could suffer damage in -kgo, derives from a translation of the The leaves of the Large Purple in freezing temperatures. The Latin word (8) Japanese word ginkyō, “silver apricot.” Aeonium [ee-'OH-nee-um] attenuata refers to the tapered shape of the (Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’) range leaves, which also lack teeth or spines RECOMMENDED WEB SITES in color from dark purple to almost black. along the outer edges. The usual blooming season is during the https://www.calflora.org/mindex.html cooler temperatures of late winter and In a scientific name, https://www.calscape.org/ early spring. • the first word is the genus ['JEAN-us] (plural: genera ['JEN-er-uh], adjective: general). Montalvo Service Group’s Provisionals The genus name is written in italics (new members) produced this garden and is capitalized. pamphlet. Although the quarantine • The second word is the species introduced hurdles and obstacles, (plural: species, adjective: specific). community spirit inspired us to maintain The species name is written familial and social connections, and to in italics, and in lowercase. adapt. The Montalvo gardens and trails • A third word indicates a subspecies remained open, offering haven and solace. or . The subspecies name is not in italics, is capitalized, and As we learned more about the various written within single quotes. plants during our collaboration, we expanded our awareness and appreciation of nature.

Montalvo Arts Center • 15400 Montalvo Road • Saratoga CA 95070 • 1 (408) 961-5858 • www.montalvoarts.org Montalvo Arts Center