2023 Holiday Guide
As the cool, crisp weather rolls in and seasonal items deck the aisles of stores, we've got the holidays on our minds.
The Arboretum and Public Garden has resources and inspiration this holiday season for spending quality time by yourself or with loved ones, for giving back through volunteering, for gifts, for preparing for spring planting and more in our 2023 Holiday Guide.
Membership in the Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden makes a great gift for friends and family. Friends members enjoy wonderful benefits all year long, including discounts on entry to many botanical gardens and on plants at partner nurseries. Learn more and purchase a gift membership.
Entertaining?
Take a walk
If you have guests, remember our gardens are free and open to everyone 24/7/365! Here are resources for planning your visit to the Arboretum and Public Garden, which includes the Arboretum, Putah Creek Riparian Reserve and other campus gardens and landscapes. Parking is free on weekends and campus holidays: December 25, 26, 29 and January 1.
Traveling or shopping?
Visit other botanical treasures ... enjoy member discounts at our nursery and retail partners
If you are heading out of town for the holidays, considering visiting a botanic garden. Members of the Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden can enjoy free or reduced admission and discounts at over 340 botanic gardens across North America through the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admission Program. Plus, members at the Manzanita Level or above gain access to over 1,100 additional museums and cultural institutions through the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM)!
If you're shopping plants, consider visiting one of our nursery or retail partners! Members of the Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden can receive discounts at in-person locations or with online partners. Not a member? Learn more and join!
Know an Arboretum fan?
Treat them to some merch
There are limited quantities of Arboretum and Public Garden merchandise — including bandanas sporting oak tree illustrations, green aprons and black tote bags — available for purchase at the Arboretum and Public Garden Headquarters while supplies last!
Want to connect and give back?
Volunteer!
Enjoy a day of giving back to nature and the community while experiencing the therapeutic effects of spending time outside by volunteering at the Arboretum and Public Garden. A new volunteer training for people interested in joining a weekly gardening team will begin in late January 2024. Check back soon for details and a link to the application. To get notified of upcoming volunteer opportunities, sign up for e-newsletter, The Leaflet. In the mean time, consider participating in a drop-in community volunteer day.
Feeling crafty?
Make a succulent wreath!
Succulents are all the rage! If you have always wanted to craft a succulent wreath, now is the time. If you need some guidance, check out this step by step demonstration courtesy of Mountain Crest Gardens.
If you are a member of the Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, enjoy discounts on plants from Mountain Crest Gardens, a partner nursery, named "one of the best online shops in 2021!"
Ready for spring?
Plan your garden projects
If your thoughts are turning to spring gardening, now is a great time to plan your landscape enhancements. Our nursery team of students, volunteers and staff are busy growing an awesome selection of plants for the spring season of plant sales and we'll announce our schedule of spring 2024 plant sales soon! Here are some great sustainable gardening resources we provide to help you plan your spring garden projects.
Love the Arboretum and Public Garden?
Support it with a gift or create a legacy!
Consider supporting the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden by giving to this year's Annual Appeal.
You may also want to include the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden in your estate plan. It is an easy way to create a legacy gift that will help ensure the future of a place you love.
Questions about creating your estate gift to benefit the Arboretum and Public Garden?
Suzanne Ullensvang at sullensvang@ucdavis.edu.
If you've already included the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden in your will or estate plan, please let us know! We'd love to say thank you!