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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 19

Temperatures will be a bit higher than normal in the afternoons this week. Take care of chores early in the day – then enjoy the afternoon. It’s time to smell the roses.

* Plant, plant, plant! It’s prime planting season in the Sacramento area. If you haven’t already, it’s time to set out those tomato transplants along with peppers and eggplants. Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.

* Direct-seed melons, cucumbers, summer squash, corn, radishes, pumpkins and annual herbs such as basil.

* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.

* In the flower garden, direct-seed sunflowers, cosmos, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, celosia and asters.

* Plant dahlia tubers. Other perennials to set out include verbena, coreopsis, coneflower and astilbe.

* Transplant petunias, marigolds and perennial flowers such as astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia and verbena.

* Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, earwigs and aphids that want to dine on tender new growth.

* Feed summer bloomers with a balanced fertilizer.

* For continued bloom, cut off spent flowers on roses as well as other flowering plants.

* Don’t forget to water. Seedlings need moisture. Deep watering will help build strong roots and healthy plants.

* Add mulch to the garden to help keep that precious water from evaporating. Mulch also cuts down on weeds. But don’t let it mound around the stems or trunks of trees or shrubs. Leave about a 6-inch to 1-foot circle to avoid crown rot or other problems.

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