U.C. Davis Arboretum

We stopped by the U.C. Davis Arboretum after our visit to the Old City Cemetery.

I only took pictures in the perennial garden where they feature plants suitable for the hot, dry summer climate of California's Central Valley. They have a nice web-tool using all these plants to help people make good choices for their Central Valley gardens.





That gray plant in front is Leucophyllum frutescens, and behind it is Mountain Mohagony, Cercocarpus betuloides (closer look):



And then moving back for a wider view:



Cercis griffithii, Afghan redbud:



Senna nemophila var. zygophylla is an interesting plant for bringing seasonal variations in texture to the garden. It has fine-textured foiliage, but these leguminous pods hang on for awhile and really change things during the summer. I imagine the color on this plant changes a lot too. I've never seen its flowers:



Dasylirion longissimum, Mexican grass-tree:





I like simple roses.



And I think this little forest of Echeveria 'Imbricata' is groovy too:



I'm totally going to work that in my garden somewhere.

The biennial Tower of Jewels, Echium wildprettii. The flowering spikes are post-bloom, but those other plants will have tall, red spikes next year.











Stipa gigantea:



versus Eragrostis elliotti:





Shrubby hare's ear, Bupleurum fruticosum.



Guara and Salvia nemerosa 'Caradonna':





In the distance, protected trees are covered with big birds:



Read about them here:



(Click for a larger view.)