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The winter months provide a wonderful opportunity to visit the botanic garden and see things that may not be evident at other times of the year. Throughout the garden, deciduous shrubs and trees have dropped their leaves revealing wonderful bark colors and patterns as well as strong branch structures. And though the calendar indicates that winter weather should be here, the only evidence so far are low temperatures. The winter rains have not yet materialized, and Wildcat Creek trickles along with a flow similar to that of late summer or fall.

For flowering plants, there are many terrific shrubs currently in bloom. Primary among them are several garden favorites including many species of manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.) and California lilac (Ceanothus sp.), both of which bloom prolifically early in the year.

In the Sierra section, the Parry's Manzanita (A. manzanita) is represented by two specimens in a bed adjacent to the west lawn. These young shrubs are covered in white, bell-shaped flowers. Another in the Santa Lucia section of the garden is the aptly named Pink Glory Manzanita (A. refugioensis 'Pink Glory') that boasts a bright pink colored flower. These shrubs provide habitat for local bee populations and you will hear the bees buzzing all around the manzanitas at this time of year. As the flowers mature and fall from the shrub a carpet of white or pink covers the ground beneath the shrub.

One of the early blooming Ceanothus is the tree ceanothus (C. arboreus) that can grow to twenty feet or so and has wonderful light blue colored flowers. There are several specimens of this beautiful large shrub in the Channel Islands section. Many other species of ceanothus will be blooming in abundance throughout February and into March.

Another spectacular specimen shrub or small tree in the Channel Island section is Veatch's silktassel (Garrya veatchii) with tassels that are growing day by day. Over the period of a week or two, the tassels have grown from three inches to nearly six inches long. If you look closely at the tassel you will be able to identify individual flowers, each with a light tinge of pink.

As you walk from the visitor center through the Southern California section, just at the East Shed you will pass a member of the rose family (Rosaceae) that is in bloom. A handsome shrub overall, the flowers of Southern Mountain Misery (Chamaebatia australis) each have five white petals with yellow stamens in the center. The evergreen, fern-like foliage of the shrub is covered in glands that secrete a very sticky substance. It grows in nearly impenetrable thickets in the Southern California chaparral and, for early settlers, the dense and sticky thickets of this shrub were likely very miserable indeed.

In addition to these flowering plants, there are many other wonders awaiting your discovery. Bulbs in beds have begun to produce their foliage, flowers will soon follow. Once the rains begin, the rush of water will fill Wildcat Creek and return a winter song to the garden. Come for a visit, take a close look at your favorite plants and your efforts will be rewarded. And, if the sun continues to shine, spread out your blanket and enjoy a winter picnic!

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