Arboretum All-Stars

Collage of eight plants from the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden 'Future Favorite' plant list.

'Future Favorite' Plants

  • by Katie Ferguson Hetrick
What are Future Favorite Plants?

At the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, we are dedicated to promoting sustainable horticulture and helping the public understand how climate change impacts gardens, pollinators and wildlife, and the broader environment. In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to create landscapes that are not only beautiful but resilient—landscapes that contribute to local biodiversity, our personal well-being, and environmental health.

A picture of someone at the Plant Sales.

Building Blocks for Resilient Gardens

  • by Rachel M Davis
As we look to the future, we want to broaden our scope to support landscapes that are not just sustainable, but also resilient. Find plant recommendations and tips on how to build a resilient garden at home.
A potted winter daphne

The Central Valley garden in winter

In California’s Central Valley, the onset of winter’s cool, wet weather marks the beginning of the growing season for California native and Mediterranean climate plants. Comparable to early spring in colder, continental climates, this is the season when root growth begins and summer drought-adapted plants emerge from dormancy, leafing out and, in some cases, bursting into bloom.
Image of a yellow-faced bumble bee on a flower.

Beyond the honey bee: Learn more about California native bees

Why care about bees?

Bees are important as indicators of environmental quality, are key in the continued existence of our wildlands, vital to sustainable pollination of crops, and serve as food that supports a diversity of other species. In addition, bees are critical to the health of natural, ornamental and agricultural landscapes.

Image of Arboretum All-Star plant, Oregon grape.

Arboretum All-Stars

Our horticultural staff garden with many species of plants and, over the years, have gained unique insights into which plants work well in our area, even under difficult conditions. After narrowing down their favorites to a list, testing them in the Arboretum as well as field trials throughout the state, they picked these 100, hence the name, “Arboretum All-Stars.”
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