Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation.

The Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation (SHRF) was founded in 1952 by a small group committed to improving western horticulture. Named after the location of its original headquarters on Verde Vista Lane in Saratoga, California, the SHRF grew out of nurseryman Ray Hartman's vision of a horticultural experiment station for developing hardy, reliable trees and shrubs for the California landscape. Hartman engaged his longtime friend Maunsell Van Rensselaer, a horticulturalist, and a handful of others interested in examining the possibility of establishing an experiment station as a foundation. Ultimately, the SHRF was established as a non-profit organization under the direction of a Board of Trustees, which was guided by a Board of Councillors drawn from prominent figures in the fields of western horticulture, arboriculture, landscape design, and botany. The Foundation's activities were guided by a director who reported to the Board of Trustees. Maunsell Van Rensselaer was chosen as the first director of the Foundation. During his twenty-year directorship, the Foundation began its work to change the focus of western landscaping towards landscape plants and trees better suited to California's Mediterranean climate. The SHRF's original focus was to promote western shade trees and native California ornamental shrubs, but during the mid-1970s, when a period of drought struck the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, the Foundation expanded its mission to include the promotion of drought-tolerant landscaping. It encouraged the use of California native plants and trees, shade trees to maximize cooling, and alternative plantings for heavily-watered areas. At this time, the SHRF was also investigating plants from Australia, New Zealand, and Chile as potential low-water-use and fire-retardant introductions to California gardens. The SHRF was instrumental in developing the ornamental landscaping familiar to Californians today. The Foundation conducted research into plant quality and propagation methods, evaluated trees and woody plants for street and shade planting, established test sites for investigations into climate and cultural techniques, and ultimately patented varieties of magnolia, Chinese pistache, and olive trees. The SHRF also provided its findings to members of the nursery trade, landscape architects, students, teachers, and researchers. Among the well-known plants and trees the Foundation promoted for home and commercial landscaping are: Liquidambar "Palo Alto" and Ginkgo biloba "Autumn Gold," which provide brilliant red and yellow fall foliage; several varieties of Ceanothus, or California lilac, known for its spikes of purple and blue flowers; and the many varieties of Manzanita commonly used in hedges and ground covers. In 1984, the SHRF decided to sell its property in Saratoga and move the headquarters to a location on Murphy Avenue in San Martin, California. In 1986, the SHRF purchased another seven acres on Silva Circle in Gilroy, California; this extra land gave the Foundation additional room for its expanding research program. In addition to its research work and educational outreach, the SHRF also ran a small nursery. The Foundation was known for its spring plant sales and Fall Festival, both events during which the public could tour the nursery and purchase native and unusual plants. Most of the outreach activities were coordinated and carried out by the Associates of the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation, which was the SHRF's docent and fund-raising group. The Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation was dissolved in 2006, when the board determined that it had succeeded in its mission to promote the widespread use of native and drought-tolerant plants. The Foundation's fifty-four years of activity were essential in guiding nurseries to continue the Foundation's work to select, evaluate, and introduce climate-appropriate plants to the California landscaping and gardening public.

From the description of Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation collection, 1938-2007 bulk 1952-1998. (University of California, Davis). WorldCat record id: 213821160

History

The Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation (SHRF) was founded in 1952 by a small group committed to improving western horticulture. Named after the location of its original headquarters on Verde Vista Lane in Saratoga, California, the SHRF grew out of nurseryman Ray Hartman's vision of a horticultural experiment station for developing hardy, reliable trees and shrubs for the California landscape. Hartman engaged his longtime friend Maunsell Van Rensselaer, a horticulturalist, and a handful of others interested in examining the possibility of establishing an experiment station as a foundation. Ultimately, the SHRF was established as a non-profit organization under the direction of a Board of Trustees, which was guided by a Board of Councillors drawn from prominent figures in the fields of western horticulture, arboriculture, landscape design, and botany. The Foundation's activities were guided by a director who reported to the Board of Trustees.

Maunsell Van Rensselaer was chosen as the first director of the Foundation. During his twenty-year directorship, the Foundation began its work to change the focus of western landscaping towards landscape plants and trees better suited to California's Mediterranean climate. The SHRF's original focus was to promote western shade trees and native California ornamental shrubs, but during the mid-1970s, when a period of drought struck the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, the Foundation expanded its mission to include the promotion of drought-tolerant landscaping. It encouraged the use of California native plants and trees, shade trees to maximize cooling, and alternative plantings for heavily-watered areas. At this time, the SHRF was also investigating plants from Australia, New Zealand, and Chile as potential low-water-use and fire-retardant introductions to California gardens.

The SHRF was instrumental in developing the ornamental landscaping familiar to Californians today. The Foundation conducted research into plant quality and propagation methods, evaluated trees and woody plants for street and shade planting, established test sites for investigations into climate and cultural techniques, and ultimately patented varieties of magnolia, Chinese pistache, and olive trees. The SHRF also provided its findings to members of the nursery trade, landscape architects, students, teachers, and researchers. Among the well-known plants and trees the Foundation promoted for home and commercial landscaping are: Liquidambar "Palo Alto" and Ginkgo biloba "Autumn Gold," which provide brilliant red and yellow fall foliage; several varieties of Ceanothus, or California lilac, known for its spikes of purple and blue flowers; and the many varieties of Manzanita commonly used in hedges and ground covers.

In 1984, the SHRF decided to sell its property in Saratoga and move the headquarters to a location on Murphy Avenue in San Martin, California. In 1986, the SHRF purchased another seven acres on Silva Circle in Gilroy, California; this extra land gave the Foundation additional room for its expanding research program.

In addition to its research work and educational outreach, the SHRF also ran a small nursery. The Foundation was known for its spring plant sales and Fall Festival, both events during which the public could tour the nursery and purchase native and unusual plants. Most of the outreach activities were coordinated and carried out by the Associates of the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation, which was the SHRF's docent and fund-raising group.

The Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation was dissolved in 2006, when the board determined that it had succeeded in its mission to promote the widespread use of native and drought-tolerant plants. The Foundation's fifty-four years of activity were essential in guiding nurseries to continue the Foundation's work to select, evaluate, and introduce climate-appropriate plants to the California landscaping and gardening public.

From the guide to the Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation Collection., 1938-2008, bulk 1952-1998, (University of California, Davis. General Library. Dept. of Special Collections.)