An Urban Oasis at Green Scene : Fullerton Arboretum Looks at Early-Century Life, Plants
There’s an urban oasis tucked away in the northeast corner of Cal State Fullerton campus reminiscent of H. G. Well’s “The Time Machine.” Today and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Green Scene at Fullerton Arboretum offers “an opportunity to see how people lived at the turn of the century, then come back to the present to view plants and buy things for your home,” said Joyce Rosenthal, event chairman.
Glimpse the past with a guided tour of Heritage House, the Victorian cottage that was originally the home of Fullerton’s first physician. Inside the restored one-story home you can see the doctor’s office, parlor, dining room, kitchen, pantry and a bedroom. “The whole house acts as a living museum. If the doctor were to return today, it would be as if he were walking back into his own home,” said Rico Montenegro, arboretum assistant director.
From Common to Exotic
At the annual plant sale, there will be everything from common begonias and fuchsias to the drought-resistant, unusual bulbines and exotic bonsai, palms, bromeliads, orchids and rare fruits. “We’ll have a number of things you probably can’t get at your local nursery,” Rosenthal said. All sale items are supplied by local horticultural and garden clubs, nurseries and members of the Potters, the Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum plant propagators. Take a tip from veteran shoppers and bring a wagon for ease in carrying your treasures.
A variety of gardening demonstrations will be presented by green-thumb experts beginning at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Get tips on such subjects as bromeliad care and potting, how to care for fuchsias, bee keeping, organic soil amendments and drip irrigation. A complete listing of demonstrations and exhibitors will be in the program, available at the entrance.
Chances to Win
Door prizes, donated by the exhibitors, will be awarded throughout the weekend. Watch for the person roving the event selling chances.
The arboretum gift shop will also be open for sales of books, seeds and other items. And in case you work up an appetite from all the activity, there will be refreshment booths offering hot dogs, chili, lemonade, soft drinks and cookies.
A donation of $2 per person or $5 per family is requested. Parking is free and there’s easy access for strollers and wheelchairs. The Fullerton Arboretum is located at Yorba Linda Boulevard and Associated Road, west of the Orange Freeway. Look for the balloons at the top of the hill.
