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Rancho Staff


Erin Perkins

Erin Perkins has a busy job working in student relations at California State University, Long Beach. But that doesn’t keep her from being one of Rancho Los Cerritos’ most committed volunteers! A southern California native, Erin first began volunteering with the Rancho in 2009. That work kept her busy until she left California in 2013[…]

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Cedar Waxwing Long Beach

Recently, friend of the Rancho Jerry Millett captured a wonderful photo of one of one of the museum’s winged visitors. These handsome, gregarious birds migrate to Southern California — and our Long Beach garden — timing their journey to the ripening of their preferred food source, berries. While they will consume insects, these birds are[…]

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Pink Powder Puff - Calliandra haematocephala

Pink Powder Puff – Calliandra haematocephala Location: Backyard & Orchard This large evergreen shrub can be espalier as seen on the Orchard wall or allowed to grow into a large shrub that almost attains a small tree stature as in the backyard. Follow the perimeter walkway to the back wall and these powder puffs of[…]

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pink cyclamen

Our recently replanted Pink Florist Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum), which is located in Rancho Los Cerritos’ backyard near our shade garden, is already in full color and brightening up the shady bed behind the Morton Bay Fig. We also have red and white varieties of Cyclamen, which will brighten up the shorter days of winter. Other[…]

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Due to popular demand, we have added spots for our upcoming Cocoa with Santa events! Enjoy cocoa and treats, make crafts, listen to stories, and meet Santa. There are two dates available: Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 from 11-12:30 p.m. Click the day of your choice, above, to purchase tickets. Tickets[…]

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Thanksgiving is almost here, and we thought it would be fun to look at some of the parlor games popular at the turn of the last century. We especially enjoyed this one, from “Games for All Occasions” by Mary E. Blain, published in 1909. NUTS TO CRACK Pass pencils and paper to each guest with the[…]

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Arbutus unedo Strawberry tree

Arbutus unedo, commonly known as the Strawberry tree, is November’s plant of the moment. These trees are great for residential gardens, with evergreen foliage and dainty white urn-shaped pendulous flowers. Once pollinated, the strawberry tree bears ¾” fruit. The fruit is green when it first appears, then changes to yellow, orange and, eventually, red (hence the name).[…]

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