Seminars

Speaker Series

Thursday, April 22, 2010

10:00am–11:00am

Basic Propagation Techniques and Common Sense Plant Selections for Dry Landscape

John Bishop, Manager of Horticulture, Sherman Library and Gardens demonstrates how to take cuttings, divide and grow plants from seeds. Also, learn about drought tolerant plants used successfully at Sherman Library and Gardens.

11:15am–12:15pm

Xeriscape… not Zero-scape

Stephanie Shermoen, landscape architect SMH Design invites you to join the SoCal Gardener’s Rennaissance by using sustainable methods to bring gardening into the 21st Century. California’s limited water supply is leading us to many questions about how we can conserve it the best. Xeriscape in the landscape, with its use of texture, color & fragrance, is an answer. It is time to rethink those preconceived thoughts of dry & lacking ‘Zero-scapes’ and recognize the pure beauty of Xeriscape. Learn how the use of compost, Sages & Succulents and Smart controllers (to name a few) are used in Xeriscape design. The result will be lower water bills, water conservation and a truly engaging landscape.

2:00pm–3:00pm

Reblooming Irises for Southern California Gardens

Garden Designer and plant breeder John Schoustra will discuss Tall Bearded irises, the irresistible but often overlooked drought tolerant perennials that are perfectly adapted to our climate and soils. Trained as a landscape architect, John has spent the last 25 years finding, breeding and growing new perennials for landscape professionals to use in California landscapes. Along with daylilies, re-blooming agapanthus and pelargoniums he has made a whole palette of fragrant, colorful irises available to provide spectacular blooms throughout the year. John will explain proper care, planting and design tips, along with the best varieties for coastal or inland gardens.

3:30pm–4:30pm

Exploring the Diverse Beauty of Japanese Maples

Patricia Smyth, owner of Essence of the Tree, will present beautiful photographs, exploring the diverse opportunities for color, form and texture with Japanese Maples. She will also provide cultural information to help you choose the best maple for your landscape container.

5:00pm–6:00pm

The Green Approach to Rose Growing

Tom Cooney, ARS Master Consulting Rosarian, gives an overview of organic methods to growing roses in Southern California. Topic concepts include feeding programs, disease control and good horticulture practices.

Friday, April 23, 2010

10:00am–11:00am

California Native Plants You and Your Neighbors Will Love

Gene Ratcliffe, Member of the California Native Plant Society, with a Masters in Paleaobotany from Cornell University. Ms. Ratcliffe will describe how native plants can be adapted to many garden styles and situations, highlighting California natives that will grow to a neat, clean appearance and will be beloved by you and popular with your neighbors.

11:30am–12:30pm

For the Love of African Violets

Gini McCanne, Owner of Violet Perfection by Gini will discuss how to keep African Violets in bloom and focus on growing the trailing African Violet.

1:00pm–2:00pm

The English Rose Garden

Clair Martin, author and first Shannon Curator of the Rose Garden at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens will present an illustrated visit to some of England’s outstanding rose collections.

2:30pm–3:30pm

Food Preservation-Making Food Last Longer After Harvesting

Delilah Snell, owner of The Road Less Traveled Store, a locally-based certified green business and Master Food Preserver will demonstrate the various methods of making food last longer after harvesting. Learn about the history of food preservation, cultural significance and how it celebrates flavor and tradition. Tasting samples will also be available as well.

4:00pm–5:00pm

Ecologically Beautiful-Ocean Friendly

Douglas Kent, author and Environmental Horticulture, Landscape Designer. Join Douglas Kent as he takes you on a picture and idea drenched adventure exploring Ocean Friendly Gardens. For 50 minutes you will be immersed in designs, materials, plants and fertilizers that benefit the ocean-and you.
(Book signing following the presentation)

5:30pm–6:30pm

Wild Birds: A Guide to Wild Bird Gardening!

General Manager and Certified Birdfeeding Specialist for Wild Birds Unlimited in Mission Viejo, Dave Brandt, will share his vast knowledge of Wild Birds and how you can create a Natural Garden Habitat in your very own backyard to attract the color and song of all of Southern California’s incredible Wild Birds Species. In conjunction with Cornell University School of Ornithology’s visual presentation, learn how your garden can be the focal point of your home by featuring both the beauty of plants and the sights and sounds of some of God’s most amazing creatures. You will leave Dave’s presentation in awe of the possibilities! Don’t miss this opportunity to open up a new world of enjoyment for you and your entire family.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

10:00am–11:00am

Indoor Gardening the Organic Way: Create an Indoor Garden Paradise and Grow Houseplants as Nature Intended

Master Gardener, Julie Bawden Davis, author of Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, shares the secrets to creating a breathtaking indoor garden paradise that impresses visitors and makes your home a healthier place to be. Ms. Davis shares everything from secrets to feeding houseplants a gourmet organic feast, to eco-friendly ways to handle pests and diseases.
(Book signing following the presentation)

11:15am–12:15pm

Growing Summer Vegetables: The Organic Way

Pat Welsh, Emmy Award winning garden guru, TV host, magazine editor, columnist and author of Pat Welsh’s Southern California Organic Gardening, Month by Month explains how to choose, plant, harvest and grow all the best-known summer veggies and control pests and diseases without synthetic fertilizers or dangerous pesticides. Spectacular photographs demonstrate growing summer crops in raised beds or the ground. Loaded with tips, hints, garden timing, free fertilizers, new techniques and old time secrets culled from a lifetime of growing edible crops.
(Book signing following the presentation)

12:30pm–1:30pm

Green + Innovative Garden Design Strategies

Violet Elizabeth Lawrence, Garden Designer and Certified Arborist, will be discussing and showing inspiring images demonstrating simple, bold and elegant design strategies. Artfully blending recycled materials, striking water wise plants, garden art and architectural elements to create your own Green Eden.

1:00pm–2:00pm

Interpretive Gardens - Developing a

OFF-SITE SEMINAR

Kenneth K. Kammeyer, CLARB, relates his personal role as Landscape Architect in developing interpretive gardens. As you walk through the garden he will elaborate on specific amenities and comment on the role of others key in developing this most notable landmark and special public space. Sculpture Isamu Noguchi’s “The California Scenario” received the American Society of Landscape Architect Centennial Medallion, commemorating this as one of the nation’s Landscapes of Memory that contributes to the great beauty of California, inspires and educates its citizens, and enriches their lives.
KamCards will be sold following the presentation. (An assemblage of technical information obtained from the experience of Kenneth Kammeyer, CLARB)

Complimentary round trip shuttle service will be provided to and from The California Scenario Garden on Level 1 outside Pacific Whey Cafe. Departure time 12:40 p.m., returning approximately 2:20 p.m.

2:00pm–3:00pm

Succulent Container Gardens

Debra Lee Baldwin, author of Designing with Succulents (2007) and Succulent Container Gardens (2010) is an award-winning garden photojournalist, and a regular contributor to The Los Angeles Times and major gardening magazines. Ms. Baldwin’s photography will provide beginners and experienced gardeners what they need to know to create stunning container displays of geometric, architectural and waterwise succulents. Discover how to enhance an entry, balcony, deck or patio with low-maintenance plants that are living works of art. (Book signing following the presentation)

3:30pm–4:30pm

Live Simply So Others Can Simply Live

Ed Begley Jr., environmental leader in the Hollywood community, author, activist and co-host on the hit Planet Green series “Living with Ed”, Ed Begley Jr. has devoted forty years of his life to environmentalism. As an early starter of the green movement, he has demonstrated that an eco-friendly lifestyle can be easy, fun and surprisingly inexpensive. Ed Begley Jr. will discuss how he began his 40 year eco-journey in 1970, including humorous stories about his first electric car and his first attempt at composting. He stresses to “start with the little things-you don’t run up Mt. Everest”, and talks about services that work. “Our planet is an asset with value…let’s not treat it like a going out of business sale!”
(Book signing following the presentation)

5:30pm–6:30pm

Home Gardening - One of the Cheapest and Easiest Green Things You Can Do To Save Energy and Money

Ed Begley Jr., environmental leader and star of the hit TV series, Living with Ed shows America an environmentalist they can relate to. Ed Begley Jr. discusses growing food on site for the past 40 years, home composting, new technology in water recycling, drought tolerant natural plants and why he is successful. From recycling more materials than you ever thought possible to composting without raising a stink, to buying an electric car, Ed is packed with ideas from obvious to ingenious that will help you live green, live responsibly, live well. Like Ed.
(Book signing following the presentation)

Sunday, April 25, 2010

10:00am–11:00am

Japanese Maples in the Southern California Landscape

Barry Hoffer, owner of Maples for All Seasons, will help Southern California gardeners understand what it takes for Japanese Maples to thrive and which cultivars do best from leaf colon and sun exposure in the landscape.

11:30am–12:30pm

Backyard Bees: Keeping Hives Alive

Janet Andrews and Kelly Yrarrazaval, founders of Backyard Bees, started beekeeping as a hobby and realized the urgent public need to provide an alternative to honeybee extermination and now rescue bees from the most unusual places. They are bee advocates and enthusiasts who keep hives alive, actively pollinating and producing honey in local, lush Orange County gardens. Janet and Kelly will also discuss the importance of honeybees in our food system.

1:00pm–2:00pm

Smart Gardening

Kay Havens, a University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener since 2006 shares the knowledge of landscape theory and design and encourages gardeners to get excited about gardening all over again! Learn how to create your dream garden. You can have a gorgeous California garden that fulfills you as a gardener, saves precious water and energy, nurtures the soil and attracts beneficial insects while providing a wildlife habitat.

2:30pm–3:30pm

Creating a Wildlife Habitat

Tom Farrell, a University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener since 1999 will bring wildlife into your backyard. Not lions and tigers and bears-oh no! - But birds, bees, frogs and other small critters that are part of a natural habitat. Learn to design and plant an environment for wildlife that can improve the vitality of your property and reduce pollution. Learn how to plan a suburban refuge that is beautiful, beneficial for the gardener and for nature’s visitors.

4:00pm–5:00pm

You Can Grow and Bloom Orchids in Orange County

Tony Glinskas, executive officer of the non-profit, Fascination of Orchids, and serves as chairman for their orchid show in September at South Coast Plaza Village will discuss and demonstrate how orchids bloom, not only in the Tropics or for the experienced grower. Learn some of the techniques that successful growers in this area are using.

HOURS M – F 10am – 9pm SAT 10am – 8pm SUN 11am – 6:30pm