Do you smell?

Most garden enthusiasts are drawn to the magnificent visual display of the diverse landscapes at the University of California Botanical Garden in Berkeley, CA. Why not give your eyes a break and the your nose lead you instead through the labyrinth of flowers, bushes, herbs and trees?

“What the Nose Knows” is a series of unique, interactive scent-based experiences of the UC Botanical Garden held on select Sundays in August and September 2010. Each event features a talk or walking tour with a scent expert in the Chinese Herb Garden, Asian and Californian sections. Guests will meet at the main Garden entrance just before 1pm. Each talk lasts approximately 1-2 hours. Admission is and free with general admission ($9 – discounts for seniors and students).

ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED TO 30 PERSONS.

Schedule of Events

August 1, 2010 1-3pm    Awaken Your Senses

To kick off the Nose Knows series, Gina Zupsich, Olfactive Scent Institute founder, introduces a nose-guided tour of the herb garden. She will show some techniques to maximize your olfactory experience and highlight how some of these plants are used in cooking, health, beauty and magic. The Garden’s own herb horticulturist Elaine Sedlack will be present to answer questions.

August 8, 2010 1-2pm Honoring Antiquity: The Art of Natural Perfumery

Natural perfumery is an ancient art form that consists of capturing the essence of flowers, leaves, and woods and mixing them to create something new and delightful. During this event, Laurie Stern, the artisanal botanical perfumer behind Velvet and Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery, will share her expertise and sense of delight in the world of natural perfumery. You will have the rare opportunity to experience some of Laurie’s aromatic treasures from all over the globe. Laurie will also share perfume stories from antiquity to the present that are inspiring, rich and sensual.

August 15, 2010 1-3pm    Birds Do It, Bees Do It

Matt Osowski, biologist at WRA, Environmental Consultancy, and wetlands and California native plants expert, leads a walking tour of the California Garden focusing on fragrant plants, flowers and pollination.

August 29, 2010 1-2pm    Scent and the Art of Tea

Toshiko Ueda, educator at the Urasenke Foundation San Francisco and proprietor of Atelier B Pastry in San Francisco gives a presentation on the role of scent in Japanese tea ceremony.

September 12, 2010 1-2pm    Scents that Heal

Have you wondered why such potent incense wafts out of your acupuncturist or holistic therapist’s office? Kil-Young Yu, LAc, acupuncturist and herbalist at Oakland Community Acupuncture explains this and the medicinal properties of other odoriferous herbs in the Traditional Chinese Herb Garden.