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'Amazing Acacias' ready to put on show

Sacramento Digs Gardening
BY Debbie Arrington PUBLISHED FEB 20, 2019

Acacias produce masses of bright yellow blooms in late winter. See the collection at UC Davis on Saturday.
(Photo: Courtesy UC Davis Arboretum)

UC Davis Arboretum tour showcases unusual trees, shrubs

In late February, the Eric E. Conn Acacia Grove offers one of the prettiest walks on the UC Davis campus. Near Putah Creek, bright yellow acacia blossoms cover trees and shrubs big and small, creating a memorable spectacle.

See those trees in their late winter glory during a free guided tour, presented by the UC Davis Arboretum. At 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, “Amazing Acacias” will explore the grove and more than 50 species of acacias.

Native to Australia, Africa and parts of the Americas, acacias produce masses of fuzzy and fragrant blooms. Leaves of thorny varieties from Africa are the favorite food of giraffes. Nicknamed wattles, thornless acacias come from Australia. America’s best known acacia is the Hawaiian koa tree

The Conn Collection focuses on species that can survive cold as well as heat. These versatile, low-maintenance evergreen trees and shrubs also are remarkably drought tolerant and well adapted to the Sacramento landscape. Snowy River wattle ( Acacia boormanii ) earned distinction as an Arboretum All-Star and is offered in the arboretum’s spring sales.

For the acacia tour, meet at Putah Lodge. Parking is free on weekends and available in Visitor Lot 55. Wear comfortable shoes for this 90-minute walking tour.

Details: arboretum.ucdavis.edu or call (530) 752-4880.

- Debbie Arrington

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Keywords:

Arboretum All Stars water wise trees drought tolerant drought-resistant plants snowy river wattle evergreens acacia wattle garden tour Conn Collection walking tour UC Davis Arboretum

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Garden Checklist for week of May 5

Survey your garden after the May 4 rainstorm. Heavy rain and gusty winds can break the neck of large flowers such as roses. Also:

* Keep an eye on new transplants or seedlings; they could take a pounding from the rain.

* Watch out for powdery mildew. Warmth following moist conditions can cause this fungal disease to “bloom,” too. If you see a leaf that looks like it’s dusted with powdered sugar, snip it off.

* After the storm, start setting out tomato transplants, but wait on the peppers and eggplants (they want warmer nights). Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.

* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.

* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.

* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.

* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, radishes and squash.

* Plant onion sets.

* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias. Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.

* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.

* Don’t wait; plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.

* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.

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