UC Santa Cruz Arboretum

I return again to be dumbfounded by the largest collection of Protaceae outside of Australia or South Africa.









I don't remember if I've ever seen a silver tree in bloom before (Leucadendron argenteum). You'd think I'd remember.



There is always a lot to take in here.











I feel like the restios have all grown ten feet since the last time I was here.



Massive things.





Some of the leucodendrons seemed uncommonly massive to me as well.



I saw an alligator lizard in the grevillea.







If you visit the Arboretum (and you should--the nursery alone is worth the trip), just down the hill, right at the corner of Mission and Bay, is Donnelly Chocolates. FYI.