UC Riverside’s Native American Garden, installed in April 2024, is now bursting into full bloom. This vibrant display of native California flora features species carefully selected to reflect the traditions and natural environment of the Cahuilla, Tongva, Luiseño, and Serrano peoples—tribes native to the region. During the planning process, the university’s Landscape Services team provided input on the plant materials chosen by the project committee.

As spring reaches its peak, the garden is alive with color and fragrance. The campus community can admire the blossoms of prickly pear cactus, white and purple sage, coast live oak, and bush sunflower—some of which are rare and found only in specific California ecosystems.

Mark Jones, campus arborist and landscape supervisor, spotted the blossoms early. “It’s the one time of year to see these,” Jones said, who has been involved with the garden’s development since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since most of these native plants bloom only in spring, they rest and conserve energy during August, when temperatures reach their peak.

As the garden flourishes, it invites the campus community to pause, reflect, and appreciate the deep-rooted connections between the land and its original stewards.