Hello! This region of the directory is intended for those who are interested in viewing and/or purchasing plants from local plant collections, gardens, and/or nurseries. If you are also interested in native species, diversity and plant preservation, many of these resources also have opportunities to get involved. Contact info and descriptions are available for each location, as well as links to websites associated with the organization.
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UCSC Arboretum
Description: This is a local arboretum near the base of the UCSC campus where one can leisurely take a stroll around the various arboretum gardens and admire various thriving species of plants, some native to Santa Cruz. Plants are also available for sale to the general public. Admission to the UCSC Arboretum is $5.00; $2.00 for children, free to members of Friends of the UCSC Arboretum, volunteers and UCSC students. Tours with a tour guide are available upon requests in advance, and are 10$ per person which includes admission in the price. Workshops about plants and conservation are available to the public, and one can also participate in volunteering with gardening/research at the arboretum!
Website description:
“The UCSC Arboretum is a research and teaching facility committed to plant conservation and serves both the campus and the public. Its rich and diverse collection, containing representatives of more than 300 plant families, provides beginning students with a broad survey of the plant kingdom. Facilities for growing plants offer students and research faculty opportunities to experiment with living plants. The Arboretum maintains collections of rare and threatened plants of unusual scientific interest. Particular specialties are world conifers, primitive angiosperms, and bulb-forming plant families. Large assemblages of plants from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and California natives are displayed on the grounds. Many of the species in these collections are not otherwise available for study in American botanical gardens and arboreta.”
“Arboretum events educate and engage the public about plant diversity and conservation. Of service to the public and the nursery industry are the Arboretum's activities in importing, selecting, and breeding choice ornamental plants, especially those that are drought tolerant and pest resistant. To date, the Arboretum is the original importer of more than 1,500 different selections of choice ornamentals. Many of these have been and will continue to be the plants of future California gardens. Norrie's, the Arboretum's volunteer-run gift shop, supports the Arboretum and is open every day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.”
Directions: Directions can be found here: http://arboretum.ucsc.edu/visit/directions/
Contact:
(831) 502-2998 (Arboretum Telephone)
(831) 502-2323 (Arboretum Fax)
Norrie's Gift & Garden Shop (831) 502-2999
Email: [email protected]
Web links: http://arboretum.ucsc.edu/
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Central Coast Wilds
Description: This nursery is a whole sale nursery for habitat restoration and ecological landscape projects. This nursery thus does not do individual plant sales. On a contract basis this company is available to grow native plants for plant restoration, revegetation, agricultural, and landscape renovations.
Web site Description:
“Central Coast Wilds nursery is a wholesale native plant nursery that specializes in growing watershed specific native plants for habitat restoration and ecological landscape projects. We grow hundreds of species of native plants that are indeginous to watersheds throughout the Monterey and San Francisco bay areas.”
“The nursery began as a back yard nursery on the Westside of Santa Cruz in 1992 and rapidly grew and moved to the Soquel Hills in 1993. In 2000 the nursery moved back to the City of Santa Cruz to the current location on Golf Club Drive.”
“Central Coast Wilds operates a two-acre nursery and propagation facility in the City of Santa Cruz. On a contract basis we grow native plants for restoration, revegetation, agricultural and landscape applications. We have expertise in propagation plant species from coastal bluff, grassland, riparian, wetland and woodland habitats.”
“Walk in customers are welcome Monday - Friday from 10am to 3pm. Come enjoy the last vestige of farm land in the City limits and the beautiful Pogonip Open Space Preserve that border the nursery.”
Contact:
Contact information for staff at Central Coast Wilds can be found in the link below:
http://www.centralcoastwilds.com/staff.html
Web Links:
http://www.centralcoastwilds.com/horticultural_services.html
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CNPS (Caifornia Native Plant Society)
Description: Not any one nursery, the CNPS website has a great directory of where to find native plant nurseries in all regions of California. Also, if you are interested in becoming more informed about California native plant species and conservation, this is a great organization to become a part of with several opportunities for getting involved.
Site Description:
About CNPS: “The native plants of California are unlike any other in the world. From the richly colored expanse of spring wildflowers in the desert to groves of Monterey cypress on the coast, California's wild gardens are immensely diverse and awe-inspiring in their beauty. They define the landscape and offer Californians a sense of place, pride and stability, and they provide habitat for endemic wildlife species that exist no place else on earth.”
“Since 1965, CNPS has worked hard to protect California's native plant heritage and preserve it for future generations. CNPS actively promotes the use of science in land use and management decisions through our Online Rare Plant Inventory and essential reference book: Manual of California Vegetation, 2nd Edition, both of which are the most advanced resources available for identifying and managing critical habitat in California. We work closely with decision-makers, scientists, and local planners to advocate for well-informed and environmental friendly policies, regulations, and land management practices.”
“Originally formed in 1965 in the east bay region, the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit organization of amateurs and professionals with a common interest in California's native plants. Our nearly 10,000 members work to promote native plant appreciation, research, education, and conservation through our five statewide programs and 34 regional chapters in California. Through membership in CNPS, Californians of all walks of life are able to support and engage in opportunities to experience and learn about native plants and their habitats, gardening and landscaping with native plants, restoration of habitat areas, and conservation issues throughout the state.”
About plant nurseries directory and contact info:“[In the plant nurseries directory] These nurseries are primarily either retail or retail and wholesale, a few are wholesale only. Most are in Northern California, except for mail order sources and a few outstanding nurseries. They sell primarily native plants or seeds, except where noted. Many of these sources also provide consultation services. Call for hours and dates open. In addition to these sources, many local retail nurseries carry a selection of native California plants.”
Contact:
(Telephone) (916) 447-2677
Web links:
About CNPS: http://www.cnps.org/cnps/about/
CNPS Plant Nursery Directory: http://www.cnps.org/cnps/grownative/nurseries.php
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Sandhills Alliance for Natural Diversity (SAND)
Description: Not a plant nursery, but a great local organization to become a part of if you are interested in native plant conservation and plant diversity in Santa Cruz.
Description from Web Site:
“The Sandhills Alliance for Natural Diversity (S.A.N.D.) was formed to preserve the rare and unique habitat of the Santa Cruz Sandhills, and inspire its stewardship through scientific research, public education, and integrated land use planning.”
“S.A.N.D. participants come from a variety of backgrounds and include Sandhills property owners, biologists, planners, educators, and other concerned citizens.”
“Participants help preserve Sandhills habitat, host community educational programs, conduct scientific research, and help direct management for Sandhills habitat. S.A.N.D. advises on many types of sandhills related projects, providing science-based information for successful conservation. In the spring, SAND leads guided walks to see the amazing wildflowers of the sandhills.”
“For more information about S.A.N.D. and what you can do to help preserve native biodiversity in your own backyard, please contact us.”
Contact: [email protected]
Web Links: http://www.santacruzsandhills.com/index.html#mission
