Nature's Kaleidoscope: The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Hardcover

An Interview with Theodore Roosevelt Gardner II Author of NATURE'S KALEIDOSCOPE: THE SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN How did you decide to write this book? Sandy Schneider, wife of the executive director, Ed Schneider suggested it in a bus in France. She and Ed and my wife, Virginia, were on--are you sitting down? a water lily tour. My wife had suggested (I won't say nagged) that I do a Lotusland book, and that had been very successful, which only proves the women have all the good ideas. Also, there seemed to be a need to gather in one place outstanding images of the native flora showcased at the garden. Its dedication to preserving the plants all around us is of great significance to the community, especially since they are not always visible and many are threatened. The garden is a rich resource and a community treasure. How did you conduct the research for the book? By reading widely--from works specifically about the garden, to geological history to place the garden in historical context. There is an extensive bibliography in the book. Perhaps I learned most from the enthusiastic, intelligent staff and the dedicated volunteers as well as delighted visitors. Dieter Wilken generously identified many of the plants for the photo captions. What is special about Nature's Kaleidoscope? The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a treasure trove of native plants unique in the world. Most of these plats bloom for a brief period and can only be seen by making numerous visits to the garden. In Nature's Kaleidoscope, these botanical curiosities can be enjoyed all year long. We were fortunate to benefit from the work of so many outstanding photographers including RobertGlenn Ketchum, Stephen G. Schott, Alan Weisskopf, Steve Junak, Carol Bornstein and many others. Their art has made Nature's Kaleidoscope a kaleidoscope of stunning photographs. What was the most surprising thing you encountered in your research? All the hidden facets of the garden, like the research and education and the astonishing herbarium with 110,000 species documented and tens of thousands more awaiting classification.

To get there you climb up Mission Canyon over a stone bridge past a stand of towering, fat-trunked eucalyptus trees and natural masses of California coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). You're probably in your car, but the early friars made the trip on foot. They came from the Mission below to build the aqueduct that brought them life in the form of the real California gold: water.

The oaks are sturdy survivors. Their acorns fall to the ground and if there is fortuitous moisture tiny roots will draw it in and push up a jagged leaf. These California native plants don't rely on men with hoses or elaborate irrigation systems. California oaks are survivors. As are all California native plants.

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is devoted to the appreciation of these survivors.