Research and Development Projects
In addition to research associated with the day to day activities of a
botanic garden, the Gardens actively pursues and receives grants for
specific research and development projects. Currently the Gardens is
developing a wheelchair accessible pathway and garden that links Lilac
Lane with the AARS Rose Garden. The pathway traverses a steep slope
through the California North Coast plantings and, for the first time,
allows a loop route for people in wheelchairs to tour some of the
Gardens' mid level, main features. This was funded by the Friends of
UCRBG and the Botanic Gardens and includes memorial donations for garden
columnist Lorraine Small and Professor Brian Mudd. A separate grant
from the Elvinia Slosson Foundation is supporting the improvement of
plantings, paths and interpretive signage in the adjacent South African
Garden.
Building on the long term breeding and selection activities of Director
Emeritus Louis Erickson, current Director Giles Waines is working on the
development of dwarf, low winter-chill lilacs. This is supported, in
part, by grants from the Elvinia Slosson Foundation, the International
Lilac Society, the Horticultural Research Institute and Monrovia Nursery
Company, on behalf of Martin Usery. Members of the Idyllwild Garden
Club have contributed to student research with lilacs. Another grant
from the Elvinia Slosson Foundation, awarded in 1999, will allow the
continuation and expansion of the Cantua
breeding project. Cantuas, or magic-flower-of-the-Incas, are being bred
at UCRBG for heat resistance and a wider variety of flower forms and
colors.
Details of these important research and development activities will be
updated as new information becomes available.
