BAGSC News

by Clara Josephs, posted by Deb Shaw

At our March 3, 2012 BAGSC quarterly meeting at Deb’s house, we will be presenting information about the possibility of another show at Chapman University. This exhibit will have a theme of Drought Tolerant plants. We are working to set a date, but at the moment it looks like the earliest time would be December 2012 or spring of 2013.

Chapman University Dean Charlene Baldwin was so delighted with our previous exhibition, she encouraged us to plan another show and coordinate with the Chapman University Environmental Sciences department.

When we held our show last year, Chapman University Assistant Professor, Dr. Jennifer Funk, an ecologist, was on sabbatical in Woodside, California conducting research at the Jasper Ridge Experimental Station. Her interest is in restoration ecology. Diane Daly, Clara Josephs, and Deb Shaw recently met with Dr. Funk. She explained that restoration is more than putting back the plants that had originally grown in an area, but includes using climate change predictions to identify plants that will thrive in future conditions. Additionally, some California natives might not be hardy in their original locations due to weather shifts.

She is enthusiastic about our plans and will assist with a list of suggested plant specimens, sorted by drought tolerant mechanisms (i.e., waxy leaves, tap root, drought deciduous, etc.), which you will receive at the meeting. The show is not limited to California natives: the exhibition will be open to all drought-tolerant plants from around the world, including the Mediterranean, South Africa, Australia, Mexico, and the deserts.

Plan to come to our March 3 quarterly meeting at Deb’s house for additional information about the show, education about what makes a plant drought tolerant, and help with where you may find or purchase plants. Many of these plants are starting to flower now, so this is the time to plan your paintings!

California native, Penstemon centranthifolius, common name "Scarlet Bugler". Photo © 2012 by Deb Shaw

Bring your thoughts and ideas to share about where to see these plants or purchase them. Post special plant sales, nursery locations and gardens in the comments section of this blog article so all BAGSC members can see them. California natives are sold at the Tree of Life Nursery, the Theodore Payne Foundation, and Las Pilitas Nursery. Of course, our favorite gardens, including the Huntington and the LA Arboretum among others, have drought tolerant areas of plants from around the world. There are also nurseries that specialize in Australian and other drought tolerant plants; most nurseries these days have a section labeled “California Friendly” or “Drought Tolerant”. Lots more information will be supplied at the meeting and sent out.

Questions? Contact Clara or Diane.