UC Davis Arboretum Australian Collection

It’s ironic, I’ve lived in Davis since 1997 and have been to the UC Davis Arboretum countless times but I’ve never explored its many botanical collections in-depth. In fact, I know the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden and the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum better than the UC Davis Arboretum, a mere 10 minutes from my house. 

But that is about to change. 2013 is the year when I will spend much more time exploring the UCD Arboretum’s many treasures. After all, the Arboretum was recently named one of the 10 most beautiful botanical garden in the U.S.

All of this was prompted by a walk my daughters and I took yesterday. We first grabbed some smoothies at Jamba Juice in the Davis Commons shopping center, which borders the Arboretum on the east, and then made our way towards Putah Creek. This section of the Arboretum is a popular place for people to walk, bike and feed the ducks (although you’re not supposed to) and it’s also the home of the Australian Collection.

Bull mallee (Eucalyptus behriana)

I had never paid close attention to the variety of gum trees (Eucalyptus) in the Arboretum, but there are close to 30 different species in the Australian Collection.

Flooded gum (Eucalyptus rudis)

Spinning gum (Eucalyptus perriniana)

Spinning gum (Eucalyptus perriniana)

Spinning gum (Eucalyptus perriniana)

While January isn’t the best month of the year to visit, I did find pockets of bloom. Check them out!

Grevillea thelemanniana

Grevillea thelemanniana

Grevillea thelemanniana

Labeled Hakea leucoptera but to me it looks a lot like a grevillea flower

Unidentified banksia, possibly Banksia praemorsa but I’m not a banksia expert

Banksia praemorsa?

Banksia praemorsa?

I also found a beautiful specimen of Cordyline australis ‘Torbay Dazzler’, standing all by itself near a collection of New Zealand flax (Phormium). This variegated cabbage palm is stunning!

Cordyline australis ‘Torbay Dazzler’

Cordyline australis ‘Torbay Dazzler’

I can’t wait for spring to come. There will be so many more things to explore at the UC Davis Arboretum.