Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Papers

The activities of the Garden from 1926 to 1975 are represented in this collection. They cover the directorships of plant ecologist Frederic Clements, the first ten years of creation and growth under Elmer and Ervanna Bissell’s direction; the development of horticultural research and public education under Maunsell Van Rensselaer’s fifteen years as Director; and the expansion of the research program under Director Katherine Muller from 1950-1973. The bulk of the collection is made up of correspondence with many botanists and horticulturists from around the country. The Garden has taken a leading role in growing a wide variety of native plants from many parts of the state, and much of the experiences of seed collecting, germination, and propagation is found in this correspondence. Also included are research files and drafts for books and articles published by Garden staff. Most extensive are files for the various editions of The Trees of Santa Barbara and Ceanothus.