Support Us

Welcome to the San Mateo Arboretum Society

SMAS is a “member and volunteer powered” organization dedicated to the preservation of San Mateo’s rich horticultural heritage.  Our headquarters and most of our activities are focused around the Kohl Pump House area in Central Park.
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Our mission is to:
Educate the community about sustainable gardening; create and maintain demonstration gardens in San Mateo Central Park.

NEW HOURS for the GREENHOUSE AND MASTER GARDENERS

The Greenhouse Volunteers have the plants for sale every Tuesday, Thursday, AND Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm until we switch to our winter hours on December 4th. Winter hours are listed on the Nursery page.

The Master Gardeners will be available to answer your questions from 11:00 an to 2:00 pm during October and November.

OCTOBER 2018

MORE INFORMATION ON THE CLASSES & EVENTS PAGE!

OCTOBER 2018

Sunday, October 7th
Beautiful Alternatives to Lawns -  with Deva Luna of Earthcare Landscaping
  • 1:00 - 2:30 pm
  • FREE
​This photo-filled presentation inspires with ideas and practical step-by-step instructions from a professional landscaper, so you can transform your lawn to a beautiful drought tolerant garden. ​

Sunday, October 14th

  • 1:00 - 3:00pm
  • Fee
               SMAS Members: $25 per pumpkin
              Nonmembers: $35 per pumpkin
  • Reservations Required
  • Children ages 5-12 welcome with accompanying adult
​Celebrate the Fall Season by creating a succulent topped pumpkin centerpiece.  You bring a 6-8 inch wide uncarved pumpkin with stem on  and we will supply instruction, a variety of succulents and other natural materials, glue supplies and accessories you will need to create a beautiful fall decoration.  Register online or call 650-579-0536 x3.  ​

Park Benches

In the near future SMAS will be installing park benches on the backside of the Butterfly - Hummingbird Garden, facing the lawn area in the middle of Central Park. The cement pads have already been installed.

Like our bricks these benches are Tribute Benches. Six of the seven benches have already been sold. If you want to buy the last on as a tribute to your family, work, organization or for any other reason, contact the office and they will give you all of the necessary information.

The money for the seven benches goes towards the Pumphouse Renovation. 

​Thank you to all of you who have already purchase a bench!

Tribute Bricks

Purchase engraved, personalized bricks for permanent placement along the pathway in the Butterfly-Hummingbird Garden has now been expanded to the Rose Garden. For more information or to order your brick(s), 

Grow with Us

As a fully “member and volunteer powered” organization, we invite you to participate in our ongoing efforts, as follows:
  • Donate
    Donations are tax exempt under IRC section 501(c)(3), federal tax ID #51-0178003.

  • Become a Member​
    Annual membership dues help to fund the excellent educational functions provided to the public.
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  • Volunteer
    Volunteers provide the work for all our activities and functions. Expert skill level is not required – simply a desire to contribute to the Arboretum Society’s objectives. 
Nursery/Greenhouse* Plant Sales
REGULAR HOURS
  • Tuesday, Thursday: 10 am – 2:00 pm.
  • Sunday: 10 am-Noon
WINTER HOURS - December through February
  • Tuesday, Thursday: 10 am – 12:00 pm.
  • Sunday: 10 am-Noon
  • Ph. (650) 579-0536 ext 1

Host Your Event Here

The historic Kohl Pumphouse and Victorian Garden are available for small group rental. For more information, click here.

COMING SOON...
           How you can help with the
​                            PUMPHOUSE RENOVATION

SMAS Board of Directors has been working hard on Phase One of the renovation of the Kohl Pumphouse.  The wall have been painted, new blinds are on the windows, a new floor replaces the old carpet in the conference room, and the new sliding door to the kitchen and lighting system will be installed this month. 
In June we hope to launch a fundraising campaign to finish the renovation. Please come back to the website to see how you can help.

Special Thanks

​Edmond's Plaza Florist
The San Mateo Arboretum Society thanks Edmond's for the generous weekly plant donations that help fill our greenhouses and nursery. 
 Edmond's Plaza Florist is bustling with new products, arriving daily. 6000 square feet of space packed with gorgeous flowers, plants, vases and talented designers who Edmond gives freedom to create their best unique styles for you, our clients. Walk into our 1200 square foot cooler and select one of our already completed arrangements or just a few select stems.  www.edmondsfloral.com​
Golden Gate Orchids
​The San Mateo Arboretum Society thanks Tom Perlite of Golden Gate Orchids for the vast array of orchids donated to our greenhouse. 
Tom Perlite founded Golden Gate Orchids in 1981 as a wholesale nursery supplying flowering orchids to the San Francisco Bay Area. The business grew, and eventually filled a 40,000 square foot greenhouse with incredible orchids from all over the world.  goldengateorchids.com​

New in the SMAS Greenhouse

​MINI TERRARIUMS AND INSPRATIONAL ROCKS

Stop in and see what the Greenhouse Volunteers have been creating. Fun things for small places.

The Greenhous Volunteers have also been busy propagating and planting lots of succulents.

​Stop in and see all the new creations.