Botanical Fieldtrip: Strybing Arboretum

Although I posted about the Strybing Arboretum as a part of the Garden Blogger’s Fling this past July, my first visit was during a trip to San Francisco with Sid last December. I lucked out that he needed to take a work trip right then, because that happens to be when all the Australian plants are doin’ their thing. After all, our winter is their summer. And I happen to love Australian natives. For whatever reason, I never got around to posting pictures from that initial visit, but seeing as it’s almost a complete year later and many of the same plants will soon be in bloom, I thought I’d go ahead and share them now. Enjoy!

Erica cinerea, or common heather.

Protea ‘Pink Ice’.

Australian plants have some of the most bizarre foliage. Can anyone ID this one?

What I’m guessing is a Grevillea hybrid – most likely ‘Red Clusters’ or ‘Red Dragon.’

Another one with nutty foliage. Unfortunately, I was too awe-struck to pay attention to labels. Amateur.

Correa glabra var. turnbullii. I absolutely love the Australian fuschias.

What I believe is Erica verticillata, which is native to the cape of South Africa.

Aristolochia californica, the California pipevine! I love these little guys! And a native, no less.
Most of the magnolias were finished blooming, but this one still had some beautiful, bright pink blooms!
Previously unidentified, reader Emma pointed out that these interesting flowers belong to Jovellana violacea from Chile!

It was a beautiful week to visit San Francisco – warm during the day and cool at night. While Sid worked, I explored. So, after visiting the arboretum, I hiked over to the conservatory. Those pictures to follow shortly!

Photos © Plant Propaganda