I thought I had been to all the public and Botanical Gardens in the East Bay. But late in May, my sister asked to visit the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley to help celebrate her birthday. What a treat. The gardens, if you haven't been there, are in Strawberry Canyon on the very east side of the campus, just down the road from the Lawrence Hall of Science. Though the Garden does have some ADA pathways, to see the largest sections put on your closed-toe shoes and be prepared for lots of walking up and down the hillsides.

The posted attraction the day we visited was the Puya alpestris which were in bloom. Puyas are a terrestrial bromeliad, most native to South America. The variety that was the most amazing was the sub-species Zoleri with its oh-so-unusual teal blue color. Though very drought tolerant and low maintenance, the foliage is very vicious with sharp spined edges. If you are thinking of adding one of these great pollinator plants, you will need lots of space as they can reach 10 ft. across and 4-6 ft. tall.

Also found in the South American garden was a hillside of blooming Alstroemeria aurea. I have grown Alstroemeria hybrids in my garden for years, but never have I seen the profusion of blooms found that day. These will take up far less space than the Puya, as they grow 3-4 ft tall. and spread both by increasing their clump size and by seed.

When we made it to the top of the hill, this was the view waiting for us.

Thanks to my sister and her birthday, I have a new favorite Botanical Garden to visit.