Image: Diplacus 'Jelly Bean Fiesta Marigold' 

Interpretive Volunteer Updates

Hi everyone,

Greetings from the summer Gardens! Visitors from around the world flock to all three sites at this time of year, and their experiences are all the richer because of their interactions with you. Whether you're roving, staffing interpretive stations or leading tours, you help our visitors see the Gardens in new and unexpected ways. Please be sure to mark your calendars for two special events in August, our chance to celebrate your good work!

Please register for assignments and enrichments through the links below. 

San Francisco Botanical Garden:
California Native Garden: Diplacus 'Jelly Bean Fiesta Marigold' 

Our red and orange flowered 'Jelly Bean Fiesta Marigold' can be seen blooming nearly year-round in the California Native Garden. The name Diplacus comes from the Greek words 'di' meaning "two" or "double" and 'plax' or 'plakos' meaning "a flat round plate", "tablet" or "broad surface" in reference to the manner in which the fruit capsule splits.

Conservatory of Flowers:
SW Corner of Arbor, in Potted Plants: Dendrobium densiflorum

This epiphytic or lithophyric orchid is native to China, India, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand. It grows on trees or rocks in mountain valleys between about 1000 and 2000 meters elevation. The blossoms are sweetly scented, reminiscent of honey.

San Francisco Botanical Garden:
Succulent Garden: Agave chiapensis

Found in small, isolated populations in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, as well as Guatemala and Costa Rica, this member of the Asparagus family is vulnerable to extinction due to urban expansion and agriculture. The rosette of leaves produces a tall flower stalk after several years of growth, then dies back, usually leaving several offsets at its base which will grow into new rosettes.

Conservatory of Flowers:
Register to volunteer:

Japanese Tea Garden:
Enjoy a tour of the Japanese Tea Garden: 

San Francisco Botanical Garden:
Register to volunteer:

Book Group: Planta Sapiens: The New Science of Plant Intelligence
Thursday, June 13, 10am-12pm
Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture

All Gardens volunteers are invited to our next Book Group event. The next book group will discuss Planta Sapiens: The New Science of Plant Intelligence by Paco Calvo. We hope to see you there!

Register here >> 

Event: Celebration at the Conservatory
Tuesday, August 6, 5-7pm
Conservatory of Flowers

Join us for a relaxing after-hours gathering in the Conservatory! Enjoy snacks, music and good company with fellow interpretive volunteers and staff, check out the progress of the new Amorphophallus bud (a leaf, Kristen assures us!) and the ever expanding Victoria amazonica. RSVP preferred, or just drop by. Optional potluck, but not required.

Register here >>

Event: Children's Garden End-of-Season Party
Wednesday, August 7, 12:30-1:30pm
San Francisco Botanical Garden, Children's Garden

If calculations are correct, this will be the 25th time we gather in the Children's Garden to celebrate the good work of our interns, volunteers and staff as our summer programs come to a close! Bring your lunch and enjoy snacks, music (yes, bagpipes) and garden tours led by our teen interns. RSVP preferred, or just drop by. Optional potluck, but not required.

Register here >>

Enrichment: Interpretive Gardens Walks

We're happy to announce that a new program of educational Gardens walks has been launched by GGGP interpretive volunteers! A successful start in the California Native Garden brought together volunteers who work with the public and school groups across GGGP, sharing their knowledge and curiosity about the plants in this space. Many thanks to the regular book club attendees who are making this happen. Grab your name tag and join your colleagues for the following walks:

South Africa Garden
Tuesday, August 27, 1:30pm
Meet at Main Entrance to San Francisco Botanical Garden

Conservatory of Flowers
Thursday, September 12, 10am
Meet at Entrance to Conservatory of Flowers

Register here >>

We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Keren Abra (pictured on the left), longtime docent and supporter of San Francisco Botanical Garden. In addition to her work leading tours and staffing interpretations stations, she was highly committed to the volunteer community, serving as chair of the Docent Council, planning enrichments and supporting training for new volunteers. She had a wide range of interests and a special love of the New Zealand collection, with whose plants she shared a birthplace. Her obituary can be found here. A celebration of her life will be planned later in the year.

Thank you for everything! We hope to see you in the Gardens sometime soon.

Warmly, 
Jenn + Annette

Jenn Tapler | Interim Volunteer Program Manager
Gardens of Golden Gate Park 
(415) 661-1316 Ext. 404
jtapler@gggp.org

P.S. Did you miss an update? Catch up by viewing past newsletters. 

Gardens of Golden Gate Park

1199 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122