Wildflower Garden to Open at UCI Arboretum

UC Irvine Arboretum will open the 1 1/2-acre Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Wildflower Garden on Saturday in honor of the late Orange County philanthropist. Colored by native California flowers such as poppies, arroyo lupine and baby blue eyes, the garden is intended to commemorate Clarke’s lifelong commitment to improving the community.

Clarke, who in 1929 married James Irvine Jr., Orange County’s largest landowner, successfully encouraged the University of California to build a campus in Irvine and worked closely with the Irvine Co. in developing master plans for the city.

Earlier this year, the Joan Irvine Smith and Athalie R. Clarke Foundation gave the university a grant to develop the garden.

Smith chose a wildflower garden in her mother’s honor because of Clarke’s affection for the county’s natural landscape and for California Impressionism. Clarke is known to have discovered her fondness for flora early in her life, picking wildflowers as a child while on long strolls with her father.

University administrators said the garden also will be used for research and learning purposes by biology students.

The garden, which overlooks San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh Reserve, will be open from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Brochures for self-guided tours will be available to visitors. Admission is free.

The arboretum is located at Campus Drive and Jamboree Road.

Information: (714) 824-5833.