The Garden's Orchid, Fern, and Carnivorous Plant House is teeming with an unusual variety of plants. This month, we're excited to feature Nepenthes, commonly known as tropical pitcher plants—a fascinating genus of carnivorous plants native to Southeast Asia, Australia, and Madagascar. They are renowned for their unique and often vibrantly colored, pitcher-shaped leaves, which are actually modified leaf tips. These pitchers serve as sophisticated traps, luring insects with nectar and a waxy, slippery rim called the peristome. Once an insect falls in, it drowns in a pool of digestive fluid at the bottom of the pitcher. There are over 100 species of Nepenthes, varying in size from small, ground-dwelling plants to massive, high-climbing vines. A recent visitor described them as 'voluptuous!' How would you describe these? | | |
In Search of Nepenthes
Join UCBG horticulturists Corina Rieder and Eric Hupperts for an online travel experience as they recount their fascinating journey to Sumatra. You'll see amazing images of plants and animals and discover how these trips inform their work in the Asia, Tropical House, and other glasshouse collections at the UC Botanical Garden. Their enthusiasm for these plants is both infectious and delightful!
| | Nepenthes peltata, rare and endemic to one mountain in Mindanao, Philippines. Collected by Garden staff in 2019 | | Awards and Accolades for the Garden! | |
Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association recognizes the restoration of the Virginia Haldan Tropical House
We're honored to announce that the recently renovated Virginia Haldan Tropical House has received the prestigious "Garden and Landscape" award from the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA). The award recognizes the sensitive restoration that, in the words of BAHA, "both preserves the spirit of the original building while expanding its capacity to inspire."
Designed by renowned landscape architect Ron Lutsko of Lutsko Associates, BAHA honors its sensitive restoration, which preserves the spirit of the original building while expanding its capacity to inspire. Thank you BAHA!
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A win for love and nature! The Garden's wedding venues voted among the best in the East Bay
The Garden's unique venues have been awarded SILVER for "Best Wedding Venue" by East Bay Express readers! This recognition means so much to our team, and we can't wait to help more couples celebrate their special day. If you're dreaming of a beautiful wedding surrounded by nature, we are now booking for 2026. To see our spaces for yourself, attend an upcoming rental open house.
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Plant Specialties Pop-Up Sales:
September 17 through October 6
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Get ready!
Our fall pop-up plant sales are here.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, fall is an ideal time to plant. The season's mild temperatures and increased rainfall create a favorable environment for new plants to establish strong root systems without the stress of summer heat.
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Carnivorous Plants
September 18-22, 10:30 am–4:30 pm
Member Evening Early Access: Wednesday, Sept 17, 5:00–6:00 pm
California Native Plants
September 25-29, 10:30 am–4:30 pm
Member Evening Early Access: Wednesday, Sept 24, 5:00–6:00 pm
From the Collection & Beyond
October 2–6, 10:30 am–4:30 pm
Member Evening Early Access: Wednesday, Oct 1, 5:00–6:00 pm
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Nurturing Nature:
How Your Support Powers Our Behind-the-Scenes Work
Your generosity underpins the vital, often unseen, work that keeps the Garden thriving, from plants, to people to programs. Behind the scenes, your gifts support the specialized tools we use, ongoing tree maintenance, irrigation upgrades, conservation projects and more. Below are just a few of the projects your contributions support:
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Vital Tree Maintenance
Tree maintenance is performed as needed and often focuses on late-summer to early-fall pruning of oaks and other evergreens, as well as conifer pruning from October through March. This work is done to maintain safety, the health and aesthetic character of the trees, and ensure that neighboring plants have enough sunlight, water, and nutrients.
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Conservation Partnerships
Since 2016 the Garden has been a member of California Plant Rescue (CaPR), a coalition of botanical organizations in the state that are committed to the preservation of California’s floral diversity, primarily through seed banking efforts. With state funding through the California Biodiversity Initiative, the Garden has helped CaPR seed bank nearly 95% of the state's most rare and endangered plants.
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"Coordinating with conservation practitioners at the other CaPR institutions has helped our institution feel like a part of a larger community that is working together to make a difference."
—Clare Loughran, UCBG Curator and Conservation Officer
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Reducing our carbon footprint
Over the past four years, the Garden has purchased 14 new battery-powered tools, replacing nine two-stroke engine tools, adding five additional tools to our equipment. This change is significant because two-stroke engines are especially heavy on both air and noise pollution. Additionally, by eliminating those nine gas-burning tools, we have markedly reduced our gasoline consumption.
| | Thank you for your support! | | Travel and Support the Garden | | | |
Travel Arrangements by Sterling Tours
Travel to Spain and Discover
Gardens, Culture and Cuisine
Tour Dates: May 1–13, 2026
Space still available!
Visit stunning Roman amphitheaters, aqueducts and villas, as you travel from Madrid through central and southern Spain. Curated and escorted by UCBG Advisory Board member Katherine Greenberg.
| | There are many ways to support the Garden! | |
Leave a lasting legacy with a tribute brick
"After retiring in 2006 from 25 years as a librarian at UC Berkeley, I wanted to escape the digital world and get my hands dirty so I began volunteering at the Botanical Garden. I first joined the plant propagation group, then also became a docent, a role I enjoyed for ten years. Eventually, I decided to focus my efforts on the very satisfying work of propagating native plants. My husband, Tim, also a retired librarian, enjoys helping at the Botanical Garden and working in our home garden. Our shared love for the Garden is cemented by a tribute brick we purchased in 2010."
Thank you Cristina Campbell and Tim DeWolf for your ongoing support!
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Become a Garden Member
Enjoy unlimited free visits, discounts, and invitations to members-only experiences. Take your membership on the road with reciprocal benefits to explore gardens and museums locally and around the country!
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Give to the Garden
Our mission is to develop and maintain a diverse living collection of plants, to support teaching and worldwide research in plant biology, further the conservation of plant diversity, and promote public understanding and appreciation of plants and the natural environment.
| | Credits: (1-3) UCBG, (4) Saul Bromberger and Sandra Hoover Photography, (5) Sweetness and Light Photography, (6) Stephen Woo, (7-10) UCBG, (11) Sterling Tours, (12-13) UCBG , (14) Saul Bromberger and Sandra Hoover Photography, (15) Saxon Holt. | | | | |
