Arboretum Gardens and Plant Communities

A - DAVID BLOOM GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE
Dedicated in 2003 to David Bloom ‘85. This is a place of natural beauty where family and friends may memorialize alumni, students, faculty, staff and special friends.

B - “THE STRIP”
Early Arboretum activists created this project on the border between Pitzer and Harvey Mudd Colleges to salvage and expand species native to the area. Now, clearing and redefinition work is ongoing. See natives such as toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) and Matilija poppy or “fried egg plant” (Romneya coulteri) whose spectacular yellow-centered white flowers bloom in May-June.

C - WOODLANDS
Fondly referred to as “The Rodman Range” because of the topography, three of the woodlands in this area were planted on reclaimed earth moved during the construction of new buildings. Four types of southern California woodland are represented here. See several varieties of both pinyon pines and junipers as well as Yucca whipplei, Apache plum, endangered Englemann oaks (Quercus englemanni), Coast live oaks (Q. agrifolia), cottonwood trees (Populus balsamifera & P. fremontii), Golden currant (Ribes aureum), and California fan palms (Washingtonia filifera).

D - INTERCULTURAL GARDEN
Designed by landscape architect Bob Perry in 1994, it is now a part of the Arboretum. Represented are plants and trees from China and Asia such as Ginkgo biloba; Australia and New Zealand, Kangaroo paws (Anigozanthus); Africa, Aloe dichotoma or quiver plant; Egypt/Middle East (papyrus, pomegranates, figs); and New World succulents.

E - MEDICINAL GARDEN
Begun in 1998-99, it shows a mixture of medicinal and culinary species from world cultures. Notable specimens include Agave tequilana which is used to make pulque and tequila, which are traditional Mexican medicinal drinks; Salvia and Artemisia spp.; lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus); feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium); and many others.

F - GROVE HOUSE GARDENS:

CITRUS ORCHARD (F.1) In the earliest years of the Arboretum this modern citrus grove was planted to screen the Grove House on the north, where the native vegetation had been destroyed, and to recreate the house’s historical environment. Funding was provided by Pitzer trustee Phyllis Horton and other donors. The grove includes ‘Moro’ blood oranges, tangelos, ‘Oro Blanco’ grapefruit, ‘Dancy’ tangerines and ‘Eureka’ lemons.

WALDO’S GARDEN (F.4) Started by Dr. Rodman and Pitzer staff member Alice Holzman as a place where people and animals can commune; prominent here are Brazilian silk floss trees (Chorisia speciosa) for shade, catnip, plants attractive to birds and butterflies, and a pond.

FARMWORKERS MEMORIAL GARDEN (F.4) Dedicated in 2003, this rose garden honors heroes of the farmworkers’ movement. The rose cultivar ‘Cesar Chavez’ is represented.

G - ELLSWORTH GARDEN
In the early 1990’s this lawn area was transformed into a water-conserving garden named for Pitzer President Frank Ellsworth and includes the outdoor classroom funded by gifts from members of the Class of 1968. Many aloe species are represented here.

H - EUNICE PITZER WILDFLOWER GARDEN
Eunice Pitzer (1912-92) was a lover of the desert and of desert wildflowers. Because of the generosity of her husband Robert and son Edward, there are now wildflowers blooming where there once was a concrete sidewalk.

I - FARM PROJECT GARDEN AND ORCHARD
A parking lot until energetic students liberated it with jackhammers (and heavy equipment, labor and materials donated by C.A. Rasmussen Inc., Alvin and Marilee Scaff, and the Enid and Crosby Kemper Foundation) in 1994, its centerpiece is the chicken house. An example of sustainable agriculture, it is tended by volunteers, students, staff and faculty as well as people from the community. It well expresses the Pitzer ethos, “Provida futuri.”

J - RUTH MUNROE GARDEN
Dedicated to one of the founding faculty guiding spirits.

L - DESERT GARDEN
One of the earliest projects of the Arboretum, it exhibits the ways plants have adapted to arid conditions worldwide. Notable examples are South African
Euphorbia ‘Sticks on Fire’ and cactus prevalent in Mexico such as cholla, pipe organ (Pachycereus marginatus), beavertail (Opuntia ficus-indica), and Agave salmiana.

M - “OUTBACK” / ARBORETUM NATURAL AREA
Though threatened in 1984-85 (and in the future) by campus expansion, this original and ongoing restoration project seeks to preserve the type of plant community that once covered most of the region directly below the mouth of nearby San Antonio Canyon. Here the native mix of coastal sage scrub and chaparral still survive but have been heavily impacted by dumping and the introduction of non-native plant species.

Supporting the Arboretum

“Without John Rodman, there would be no Pitzer College Arboretum." This sentiment is a truism at Pitzer: Professor Rodman’s passion is as deeply rooted in the Arboretum as the plants themselves. Pitzer has established the John R. Rodman Arboretum Endowment Fund to ensure the Arboretum’s future as an educational resource.

The Rodman Arboretum has been a labor of love since its inception, created through the generous efforts of countless faculty, students, alumni, staff and friends.

To contribute to the John R. Rodman Arboretum Endowment Fund, please contact the Pitzer Office of College Advancement at (909) 621-8130, email giving@pitzer.edu or visit www.pitzer.edu/giving