Dick Douglas Garden

[ghar41]

Date: Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

Time: 10AM - 5PM

Location: 35 Amberwood Ln.

Walnut Creek, Ca.

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This garden is featured in many photos listed in the Species section of the Northern California Palm Society web site. Many of the Palm Trees here are some of the most mature and rare specimens that are known to exist in Northern California. These are all cold hardy palms and stunning specimens. There is also an assortment of other Species in this garden to compliment the large landscape. There will be NO POTLUCK at this meeting. However, there will be an auction around 1:30 or 2:00. Members and Guests can but rare and unusual and exotic palms that you most likely cannot find at any local nurseries.

The garden is open for you to visit beginning at 10:00am. Come enjoy the palms and visit with your friends. Palm Society members who responded to the question about whether to have a catered lunch or a potluck voted two to one for the catered lunch. The lunch will be served at 12:00 noon under Dick's ancient oaks. This caterer is excellent and provides not only the delicious food, but the tables, chairs, tablecloths, and beautiful flowers. Dick will also provide Wine and other beverages. The cost of the lunch is 25.00 per person which includes meal and beverages. The lunch menu will be listed soon. Advance notice will be necessary for those who wish to participate in the lunch. Advance payment will also be necessary. Payments can be sent to Caroline Van Howe via PayPal. For more information contact: carolinevanhowe@comcast.net

The regular meeting for members and others interested in attending this meeting will begin at 1:00 PM if you do not want to participate in Lunch.

More details soon.

Contact: Glen Harris

Harris.G@monet.k12.ca.us

[Darold Petty]

Don't miss the lunch!!! We have done this before, and it was one of the most pleasant lunches EVER. The shade is provided by Dick's splendid Quercus lobata, approx. 350 years old.

[iwan]

Yo SoCal, this is THE premier NorCal palm garden. You've seen the pictures, now come and experience a Dypsis free garden. Dick's garden is worth a road trip. Load up the cooler and the PRA Action Van and head up I5. If you are into Cacti and succulents, a side trip to the Ruth Bancroft garden is less than half a mile away.

[ghar41]

If you would like to attend the luncheon at Dick's garden, please note the updated information:

RSVP and Advance Payment Required: You may pay online (http://oct32010meeting.eventbrite.com/) or send a check to NCPS, 290 Margarita Drive, San Rafael, CA 94901. PLEASE NOTE: There is a processing fee of $2.37 per ticket for online purchases.

You may also visit the NCPS website to access the payment link:

http://www.palmsnc.org/pages/events.php

Remember, you do not have to attend the luncheon to visit the garden. The meeting will begin at 1pm.

[BS Man about Palms]

I was thinking about it until you said "Dypsis free"...

[John Case]

  On 8/28/2010 at 3:50 PM, BS Man about Palms said:

I was thinking about it until you said "Dypsis free"...

Bill

That means that you will not be charged for any Dypsis you bring along...sorry for the confusion....

[PalmGuyWC]

Dear palm loving friends,

I try to have an official PS meeting at my place about every three years, but as many of you know, I'm getting up in years and the meeting on Oct 3rd may very well be my last Palm Society meeting, so I hope as many of you as possible can attend. Since we are spread out in N. Calif. and there are long distances to drive, I thought it would be good to have a nice lunch waiting on you, and also some comfortable chairs and tables for you to sit around. Since early October may be a very warm, I thought it would be nice if we could start around 10 AM, have a garden walk, sip on something cool, and chat with our old friends before the heat of the day arrives.

The theme of the gathering will be "Cocoid hybrids" and Patrick Schafer will be here to demonstrate some of his techniques. I have 8 different hybrids planted, some large, some small, all with pinnate fronds. In addition to the regular auction, Patrick will have many hybrids for sale, as well as other unusual species, including pure species of Butia yata, B. Paraguayensis, the Chamaerops mutant, and the rare unidentified Sabal that I have. He will also have some Jubaeas and Parajubaeas and other goodies that are hard to find, so bring your check book and a truck if you plan to make a palm haul.

Information on the garden luncheon buffet, and directions to my place will be forthcoming soon. It would be helpful if you called me directly (925 937-4505) or dropped me an E-mail to PalmGuy@aol.com to let me know if you plan to attend the luncheon. I'll be supplying the wine and other beverages. The cateror must know 5 days in advance how many plan to attend.

Sincerly,

Dick Douglas

[ghar41]

  On 8/29/2010 at 2:51 PM, PalmGuyWC said:

Information on the garden luncheon buffet, and directions to my place will be forthcoming soon. It would be helpful if you called me directly (925 937-4505) or dropped me an E-mail to PalmGuy@aol.com to let me know if you plan to attend the luncheon. I'll be supplying the wine and other beverages. The cateror must know 5 days in advance how many plan to attend.

Sincerly,

Dick Douglas

Hi Dick,

Caroline Van Howe is currently taking reservations, she can fill you in on the details. Please contact her via email at:

carolinevanhowe@comcast.net

For those interested in attending the luncheon please follow these directions:

RSVP and Advance Payment Required: COST: $25. You may pay online (http://oct32010meeting.eventbrite.com/) or send a check to NCPS, 290 Margarita Drive, San Rafael, CA 94901. PLEASE NOTE: There is a processing fee of $2.37 per ticket for online purchases.

You may also access the payment link through the NCPS website:

http://www.palmsnc.org/pages/events.php

The lunch menu and directions to Dick's garden will be listed soon.

[Moose]

Dick - in Genera Palmarum 1987 on page 186, Uhl & Dransfield mention a cultivar of Chamaerops humilis growing in your garden with unique leaf features. "... bears leaves with the blade divided between as well as along the folds."

Dick do you have a picture of this distinctive palm?

I posted this request in April. Dick has told me that he is a bit camera/posting challenged. Could one of the attendees please get a photo of this unique palm and post it?

Thank you,

Ron.

[John Case]

  On 9/4/2010 at 10:49 AM, moose knuckle said:

Dick - in Genera Palmarum 1987 on page 186, Uhl & Dransfield mention a cultivar of Chamaerops humilis growing in your garden with unique leaf features. "... bears leaves with the blade divided between as well as along the folds."

Dick do you have a picture of this distinctive palm?

I posted this request in April. Dick has told me that he is a bit camera/posting challenged. Could one of the attendees please get a photo of this unique palm and post it?

Thank you,

Ron.

Ron,

I'll try to remember....

[ghar41]

IMPORTANT UPDATE

A thank you to those who have reserved a seat for the luncheon early. For those who have not already paid, and are planning on attending, please send checks ($25) directly to Richard Douglas. Please make sure to write the checks payable to Richard Douglas, not Dick Douglas.

Checks can be sent directly to: Richard Douglas, 35 Amberwood Lane, Walnut Creek CA, 94598 Tel: 925 937-4505

Dick will be posting the menu soon, as well as directions to his place.

Don't miss this special event! See you there!

[waykoolplantz]

Dick was kind enough to show me around two years ago...amazing collection of palms. I will be back in SF this year...unfortunately a month after the Palm meeting

[PalmGuyWC]

  On 9/10/2010 at 12:32 AM, ghar41 said:

IMPORTANT UPDATE

A thank you to those who have reserved a seat for the luncheon early. For those who have not already paid, and are planning on attending, please send checks ($25) directly to Richard Douglas. Please make sure to write the checks payable to Richard Douglas, not Dick Douglas.

Checks can be sent directly to: Richard Douglas, 35 Amberwood Lane, Walnut Creek CA, 94598 Tel: 925 937-4505

Dick will be posting the menu soon, as well as directions to his place.

Don't miss this special event! See you there!

UPDATE

For those of you who wish to reserve a seat for the Palm Society luncheon at my place on Sunday, Oct 3rd, it is urgent that you send in your remittance soon, as I need a head count.

Here is the menu as submitted to me by the caterer:

GARDEN LUNCHEON BUFFET*

Pecan crusted chicken-with an apricot chipotle drizzle

Salad Juliet-gourmet greens, dried cranberries, Fuji apples.gorgonzola & candied walnut-with balsamic vinaigrette

Bow Tie Pasta Salad-with Heirloom tomatoes-rosted sweet corn, kalamata olives, white beans & fragrant herbs-with a honey Dijon & white balsamic drizzle

Petite Foccacla Sandwiches-with rosted red peppers, fresh Mozzartella, spinach & a pesto aoli

Cafe Mocha & Lemon Curd Cupcake Minis

Mango Iced Tea

I will be supplying wine and other beverages and chips, dips, etc

Vegetarians will be accommodated, but I need to know in advance if that's your choice

Directions to my place:

Coming from San Francisco and the Bay Bridge come on hy 24 to Walnut Creek. Hy 24 intersects with Hy 680 in Walnut Creek. Continue on 680 North towards Concord. The 3rd turn off after the 24/680 intersection is Treat Blvd. Exit at Treat and go 1 mile east on Treat. Turn right on Bancroft Rd, pass the shopping center on the left, and the first street past the shopping center is Amberwood Lane. Turn left on Amberwood and continue down the street until you see the palms.

There should be ample parking along my street, but please don't block the driveway in front of the garage.

Patrick Schafer will demonstrate his hybridizing techniques, and he's bringing many nice palms for sale as well as donations for the regular palm auction. He will have cocoid hybrids, as well as many other hard to find and rare palms. If you plan to make a palm haul, bring a truck. He has already brought 3 very large 15 gal Parajubaea TVT, Jubaeas, etc.

Hope to see you on the 3rd,

Dick

[Patrick]

Looking forward to the event! :D

Moose, I'll bet there will be a slew of photos after this meeting. It'll show up!

Do you know if this is the palm referred to as "The Mutant"? Really funny looking leaves?

Can you take a picture of the picture and post it up here, as my Genera is too new and the picture is not there. Pretend I'm from Missouri and show me.

Good to know there will be some hybrids readily available there. There's a Butia x Parajubea that I've been meaning to acquire. I'll just have to figure out where to put it- oof!

See everyone there.

[Tassie_Troy1971]

If you haven't seen Dicks garden its a real Gem ,Darold and i had a fantastic Afternoon looking at the "famous palms"

Dick is a great host and if i lived in N .Cal i would certainly take advantage of any opportunity to visit this fantastic garden.

[DoomsDave]

Palmazon and I are roaring up north in the Green Monster, for a weekend of fun and palmery . . . .

[John Case]

  On 9/27/2010 at 8:15 PM, Dave from So-Cal said:

Palmazon and I are roaring up north in the Green Monster, for a weekend of fun and palmery . . . .

Sombody order extra food!

[palmazon]

I got a muzzle and elephant tranquilizer if he gets out of hand

[DoomsDave]

  On 9/28/2010 at 12:33 AM, palmazon said:

I got a muzzle and elephant tranquilizer if he gets out of hand

Oh, lookin in the mirror?

On the other hand, I've got the threat of the duet, of karaoke, Bad Blood . . . .

mua ha ha haha haaa etc.

[Mark@PalmBeach]

Dick's Garden is amazing and quite an inspiration for the challenges of the Northern Cal climate. I enjoyed seeing it quite a few years back when I lived in Nor Cal. If you get a moment go see Ruth Bancroft's place. It is also one of a kind. I believe for the Bancroft Garden that you will need reservations, but that may have changed since I last inquired. I do miss NorCal and seeing the various member gardens, but I have a few more plant options (and space!) where we are in Florida.

We will have to make it back there one of these days.

I am sure the event will be a success and the menu for lunch sounds great.

[John Case]

  On 9/28/2010 at 4:53 AM, Mark@PalmBeach said:

Dick's Garden is amazing and quite an inspiration for the challenges of the Northern Cal climate. I enjoyed seeing it quite a few years back when I lived in Nor Cal. If you get a moment go see Ruth Bancroft's place. It is also one of a kind. I believe for the Bancroft Garden that you will need reservations, but that may have changed since I last inquired. I do miss NorCal and seeing the various member gardens, but I have a few more plant options (and space!) where we are in Florida.

We will have to make it back there one of these days.

I am sure the event will be a success and the menu for lunch sounds great.

You still need reservations for groups at Bancroft, perhaps for singles as well, especially on a weekend.....

[iwan]

Admission for RBG is $10. Self guided and docent led tours are available. Docent tours are first come, first serve. Group tours available by appointment.

  Quote

You still need reservations for groups at Bancroft, perhaps for singles as well, especially on a weekend.....

[BS Man about Palms]

  On 9/27/2010 at 8:15 PM, Dave from So-Cal said:

Palmazon and I are roaring up north in the Green Monster, for a weekend of fun and palmery . . . .

Hats off to you two...

[John Case]

  On 9/28/2010 at 3:32 PM, BS Man about Palms said:

  On 9/27/2010 at 8:15 PM, Dave from So-Cal said:

Palmazon and I are roaring up north in the Green Monster, for a weekend of fun and palmery . . . .

Hats off to you two...

I would prefer they keep their hats on.....still, I am looking forward to seeing them.

[TikiRick]

I can add that, being a true native Floridian, my first trip to Dick's Northern California garden was with my good friend, the late Paul Drummond. I really didn't even know Dick, but he offered his home to us. It was early November. I thought how unique can a palm garden in Northern California be? I've seen it all living in South Florida. I guess I was (am?) spoiled and didn't anticipate much.

Boy, was I surprised. I loved it. Especially because these were palms that I had never seen in person and certainly couldn't grow well in South Florida. I agree, if you have this opportunity, please join the group. You will not regret it.

Ask Dick about his knowledge of the entire species of Chamadorea as well. He has quite the collection of these small understory palms as well. In fact...I stole a few in my suitcase and they are growing well here in South Florida! Ha!

Have fun guys!

Rick