Calling All Horticulturists!

I've been watching some vet school students working with ol' Gus. 

We're trying to get him trained for Groundhog Day.  It's time to have him step it up a notch.  Literally.  The vet students have been attempting to teach him to step up onto a stump to make his presentation early in the morning on February 2.

It's been slow going.  He has really reduced his activity since the weather has gotten cooler.  He doesn't quite hibernate in this climate, but he definitely doesn't (want to) move as much as he does during the summer.  So while I have been sitting in his enclosure watching the trainers, I have been looking around at the autumn leaf color.  We've been working very hard to remove the invasive plants from the Zoo grounds: bush honeysuckle, privet, eleagnus, English ivy, winter creeper, etc etc.  With those plants gone, there is a LOT of hidden stuff that is now visible.  And also, there is now a LOT more space to work with.

One of the things that I would like to see happen to the Zoo is the incorporation of a botanical aspect, even some informal gardens.  I would like to get some good specimen plants put out on the grounds, as well as more colorful plantings to line the sidewalks or divide an area.  And I would like to have it all labeled so that visitors will be able to determine what they are looking at!

Plants have already been featured in some of the animal exhibits (alligators and gopher tortoises to name two), but we have decided to start spreading outside of the exhibits as well. 

                                                           (Photo of False Indigo flowers)

We have been working on an Asian influenced garden at the front gate.  It features a variety of plants of Asian origin: Chinese fringeflower, Pieris, Japanese maples, Toad lilies, Hosta, and many more. 

                                                           (Photo of Japanese Maple)

Other ideas that we would like to try are an African vegetable garden, a butterfly garden, a wetland and a bog garden.  An azalea, rhododendron and camellia garden would be nice too.

                                                   (Photo of White Top pitcher plant flowers)

The only trouble is, there are just three of us that are on staff here.  We need the extra hands to help us get things done.  If you have an interest in horticulture or gardening, or if you just have some plants that you would like to donate- please let us know!  We will take just about anything, as long as it is not invasive (remember, the plants that take over are what we are trying to control now!). 

Well, that's enough rambling for now.  It's time to close up shop and get out of here.  But seriously, please let us know if you would like to help out in any way with the gardens here at Bear Hollow!

Enjoy this fine fall weekend.

Posted by Berkeley