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Trees and Landscaping

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Ginkgo biloba "Autumn Gold" parent tree in full fall color, displaying bright golden-yellow foliage against a blue sky in a residential setting.
Parent tree of Ginkgo biloba “Autumn Gold”

Ornamental and Shade Trees

Among the well-known plants and trees the Foundation promoted for home and commercial landscaping are: Liquidambar “Palo Alto” and Ginkgo biloba “Autumn Gold,” which provide brilliant red and yellow fall foliage; several varieties of Ceanothus, or California lilac, known for its spikes of purple and blue flowers; and the many varieties of Manzanita commonly used in hedges and ground covers.

One of the SHRF’s major activities was the selection and promotion of street trees. The Foundation sought out hardy, attractive trees that would blend with the landscape and thrive with little maintenance.

Close-up of a Ginkgo biloba branch showing fan-shaped leaves and clusters of round fruit.
Leaves and fruit of Ginkgo biloba “Autumn Gold”
Liquidambar styraciflua "Palo Alto" street tree in full fall color, displaying deep red foliage, planted at a street corner near a modern commercial building.
Liquidambar styraciflua “Palo Alto”
Pistacia chinensis "Keith Davey" parent tree in fall color, its broad canopy of orange and red foliage spanning between two residential buildings.
Parent tree of Pistachia chinensis “Keith Davey”
Ceanothus "Frosty Blue" shrub in full bloom with clusters of blue-purple flowers, planted in a gravel bed in front of a residential building.
Ceanothus “Frosty Blue”
Arctostaphylos manzanita "Dr. Hurd" as a mature multi-trunk shrub covered in white blossoms, with dark twisted branches visible against a residential backdrop.
Arctostaphylos manzanita “Dr. Hurd”
Close-up of Arctostaphylos manzanita "Dr. Hurd" showing clusters of small white urn-shaped flowers against dark oval leaves.
Arctostaphylos manzanita “Dr. Hurd”
Cover featuring a graphic illustration of a stylized tree with pink and brown circular forms on an olive green background.
The Master Street Tree Plan: An Avenue to Beauty
Program cover featuring an aerial view of Portland with Mount Hood in the background.
Eighteenth Annual Meeting of the Western Chapter of the National Shade Tree Conference

Drought-tolerant Landscaping

During the mid-1970s, a period of drought struck the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. In response to the increased need for water and energy conservation, the Foundation expanded its mission to include the promotion of drought-tolerant landscaping. It encouraged the use of California native plants and trees, shade trees to maximize cooling, and alternative plantings for heavily-watered areas.

Cover featuring a close-up of a white Matilija poppy bloom with a golden center.

Selected California Native Plants in Color, Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation, 1980

Page from featuring Carpenteria californica (Bush Anemone), with descriptive text and two photos showing the shrub in bloom and a close-up of its white flowers.
Page featuring Fremontodendron californicum (Flannel Bush), with descriptive text and two photos of the shrub's yellow-orange blooms.

“Today there is a growing change in attitude and a common understanding that we cannot continue using water resources as if they were unlimited. … With this in mind, Californians have begun to look beyond their garden walls to the hillside, valley, and seashore to discover where plants grow naturally — taking into account soil, rainfall, and exposure.”

A California-Style of Gardening, Dennis White

From Selected California Native Plants in Color, Barrie D. Coate and Dennis White. Saratoga Horticultural Foundation, 1980.

Program agenda for "Appropriate Horticulture for California II" workshop, held November 19, 1979 in San Diego, listing morning and afternoon speakers and topics.
Draft of a concept statement for the "Cooperative Long-Term Evaluation of Drought Tolerant and Low Maintenance Plants" program by the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation.
"Ornamental Plant Introduction Program" document listing plant categories for research, including tolerance, resistance, ornamental characteristics, and landscape use criteria.

The Foundation actively evaluated and promoted native and other low-water-use plants and trees.

Research Outreach and Education

Exhibit: Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation

Introduction Research Trees and Landscaping Outreach and Education Legacy
Exhibit from
Curated by Liz Phillips
For detailed information about the Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation Collection, explore the finding aid at the Online Archive of California.
Previously on display March 24, 2008 - September 9, 2008 in the Shields Library (Lobby - Archives and Special Collections)