The Grafton Channel Islands Garden

The Grafton Channel Islands Garden - our newest redesigned garden space - was completed in early summer of 2019. It is located in the Alluvial Gardens, which is the area to the east of the Indian Hill Mesa. It is considered to be the section that is most friendly to people and plants because it is protected from the harsh, late afternoon sun. In summer, it remains somewhat cooler than other garden areas.

Mr. Grafton was born on the South Side of Chicago in the mid 1940s and was one of three brothers. Edward's younger brother George said, "While Ed and I were growing up, our family would take vacations to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. That's were my brother learned to love and appreciate nature and the wilderness." Edward enlisted in the Army in his 20s and was stationed in Germany during the Cold War. While serving in the military overseas he became ill and was treated through the Veterans Health Administration. He remained in the care of Veterans Affairs for many decades as a disabled veteran. Mr. Grafton found solace in gardens and would often walk among the trees at the Veterans Hospital in Los Angeles. As Mr. Grafton considered what legacy he wanted to leave, he was drawn back to his love of nature. He wanted to create a place of quiet and respite for veterans and the public to enjoy. "Mr. Grafton was a simple soul who felt at home in nature," commented Owen Davis who was Edward's friend and conservator. The Grafton Channel Islands Garden was made possible by a bequest from Mr. Grafton.

This part of the garden was formerly a thicket of Berberis pinnata hybrids with a narrow, 3-foot, cracked asphalt path running through it - practically a hinterland trail. The design concept was to create an inviting area to walk with benches for sitting and observing nature, plantings that continue with the existing California Channel Islands palette in that area, and a water feature.

The first step in the renovation was to cut back and dig out the Berberis, some of which were transplanted up onto the slope of the mesa. Next, the thin asphalt path was pulled up and hauled off. Horticulture staff dug a long trench, partly with the help of a trenching machine, and additionally by hand. This extended from the north end of the Percy Everett Memorial Garden nearly to the bottom of the accessibility ramp to carry an irrigation main line. The section of the trench from the Percy Everett Memorial Garden to the center of the Grafton Garden had to be more than two feet deep because it also contained an electrical conduit bringing power for the water feature pump. Here, the staff encountered large boulders that were dug and pulled out by hand.

The final touch was the installation of the water feature, the focal point of the Grafton Garden. The selected well water basin and spout work in our context because the basin is rough-hewn granite and the spout is tarnished copper that fits in with our rustic garden. It is set in a space of river washed pea gravel so visitors can get up close to it. I knew it was the right choice when I saw two young boys come running up to it laughing, delighted to wash their hands in the stream of water. The Grafton Garden's water feature is different from all others at CalBG! I like to think that Mr. Grafton would enjoy sitting on a bench and watching visitors - people, squirrels, birds - enjoying his Garden's special water feature.

For many of us, there is a compelling need to make a difference - to leave a lasting impact on the people most dear to us and the world in which we live. The search for significance and desire to plan for the future leads many to ponder their legacy. Mr. Grafton's desire to create a garden, a garden where people could come and find respite and solace brought him to include California Botanic Garden in his estate plans. Through his bequest, Mr. Grafton will have a lasting impact on all those who visit and enjoy his garden, The Grafton Channel Islands Garden.

To learn more about including the Garden in your estate plans, contact the Advancement Office, [email protected] or (909) 625-8767 ext. 222.