Garden events
STAFF REPORT
Today
Growing Citrus: From gourmet Meyer lemons to clementines, class attendees will learn how to get bountiful crops of juicy citrus fruit from Armstrong’s experts. 8 a.m. at all Armstrong Garden Centers. armstronggarden.com
Sherman Library & Gardens Volunteer Association’s Private Gardens Tour: Tour the gardens of six homes in Corona Del Mar, Newport Beach and Newport Coast. Ticket includes a light lunch served at Sherman Gardens. Featuring artists, musicians and specialty boutique. Proceeds will help support the redesign and landscaping of the Sherman Gardens frontage on Pacific Coast Highway. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $50 members; $60 non-members. 949-673-2261 or slgardens.org
Today-Sunday
California Native Plant Week: Featuring a variety of promotions. Tree of Life Nursery, 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. californianativeplants.com
Thursday-April 30
Back To Natives Restoration Native Plant Sale: Part of Southern California Spring Garden Show. Native plants help conserve water, eliminate the need for pesticides and fertilizers, and provide habitat for butterflies and birds. Plant sales will raise funds for Back to Natives’ environmental education and habitat restoration programs. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. April 27-28, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. April 29, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. April 30. South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 949-509-4787 or backtonatives.org
Southern California Spring Garden Show Presents At Home in the Garden: Notable landscape designers have partnered with some South Coast Plaza stores to create Southern California lifestyle displays that will provide inspiration for your own home and garden. Don’t miss the incredible 21-foot-high floral centerpiece that celebrates South Coast Plaza’s 50th Anniversary. Experience the best of Southern California living, decorating and entertaining with home furnishing and décor boutiques and visit a unique collection of gardening vendors. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. April 27-28, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. April 29, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. April 30. South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. southcoastplaza.com
April 29-30
The Sweet Pea Show & Contest: Dozens of locally grown cut stem varieties will be on display. Customers are invited to bring in their own cut stems. Please bring in your entry, with the variety name if known, before 11 a.m. on Saturday, at which time judging will take place. There will be prizes for the three best entries. Stop by and breathe in the intoxicating sweet pea fragrance. 9-11 a.m. Saturday. Flowers will be on display until 5 p.m. Sunday. Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar. 949-640-5800
May 2
Orange County Fuchsia Society: Featuring a cultural program on fuchsias and a plant table with fuchsias for sale. Refreshments will be served. 7:30-9 p.m. every first Tuesday of the month except August. Garden Grove Friends Church, 12211 Magnolia St. $20 a year; first two visits are free. 714-717-4829, ocfuchsiaociety.com
May 3
Doug Frost Begonia Society: Refreshments are served, and plants are available for purchase. 7-9 p.m. every first Wednesday of the month. Fernwood Mobile Home Park Clubhouse, 10550 Western Ave., Stanton. 714-816-0717, bboopfans@aol.com
May 4
The Saddleback Valley Bromeliad Society: Meetings include a member plant show & tell, guest speaker presentation, bromeliad raffle & auction, and supplies for sale. 7 p.m. every first Thursday of the month. Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. 949-351-4770, bsi.org/webpages/saddleback.html
May 5
Laguna Beach Garden Club Gate & Garden Tour: Walking tour will feature nine gardens in central Laguna Beach, including a half-acre of tropical grounds. There will be Mexican fare, margaritas, and agave plants for sale, as well as free refreshments, craft displays, plein air painters and a raffle. This is the club’s major fundraiser for scholarships, school gardens, and community projects. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $45 tickets in advance at lagunabeachgardenclub.org or Laguna Beach Books, Laguna Drug, Laguna Nursery, Tides Inn and Dana Point Nursery. $50 tickets day of tour at the tour’s starting point: Arabella Laguna, 506 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.
May 9
Fullerton Garden Club: Guest speakers discuss gardening. Fundraisers for Fullerton Arboretum. New members always welcome. 9 a.m.-noon every second Tuesday of the month, September to April. Fullerton Arboretum, Pavilion Classroom, 1900 N. Associated Road. 714-392-3132. fullertongardenclub.com
May 10
California Organic Gardening Club: The club promotes organic methods of growing, fertilizing and pest control. It also has a plant and seed exchange. 7-9 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month. Women’s Civic Club of Garden Grove, 9501 Chapman Ave. Free. 714-798-5010
Cool Growing Orchid Society: A fun, educational night with refreshments. 7-9 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month. Garden Grove Masonic Lodge, 11270 Acacia Parkway. Free for first-time guests. coolgrowingorchidsociety.com
May 11
American Begonia Society, Orange County branch: The meeting features a speaker each month giving tips on growing begonias and companion plants. Visitors welcome. Refreshments will be served. 6:30-8:30 p.m. every second Thursday of the month except July, August and December. Fullerton Community Center, 340 W. Commonwealth Ave. begonias.org
Del Norte Garden Club: Promotes gardening, floral design, civic beautification and environmental responsibility. Field trips, speakers and idea exchange. 9:30 a.m.-noon every second Thursday of the month except July, August and December. Placentia United Methodist Church, 2050 N. Valencia Ave. californiagardenclubs.com
May 13
Open Garden Day: Experience the inviting neighborhoods of West Floral Park and Jack Fisher Park in North Santa Ana. You are invited to stroll through our variety of gardens throughout the day. Tranquil spaces, unique planting ideas and inspiring yard designs are open for your viewing. This one day community event offers an array of activities: lovely gardens to tour, garden expert talks & demonstrations, vintage cars to peruse, a street full of vendors selling unique garden treasures, and gourmet food trucks with plenty of tasty treats. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. opengardenday.com
Orange County Geranium Society: Usually features a program on geraniums, plus tables with free cuttings and plant raffles. Refreshments served. 10 a.m. every second Saturday of the month, January-October. Anaheim United Methodist Church, 1000 S. State College Blvd. Free. orangecountygeraniumsociety.com
Plant sharing at the Coastkeeper Garden: Share all kinds of garden-related items, including plants, seeds, pots, fruits, vegetables and anything another plant lover can use, eat or enjoy. The group offers free advice on gardening issues. Arrive at 9 a.m. for setup; plant sharing begins promptly at 10 a.m. every second Saturday of the month. Coastkeeper Garden, 8520 E. Santiago Canyon Road, Orange. facebook.com/coastkeepergarden
Second Saturdays: Stewardship projects include trail maintenance, invasive plant removal and conservation. Bring gloves and tools (labeled), a hat, sunscreen and closed-toe shoes. Other tools, water and light refreshments provided. 9 a.m. every second Saturday of the month. Turtle Rock Nature Center, 1 Sunnyhill, Irvine. 949-724-6738
May 14
Children’s garden workshop series: The Great Park Farm + Food Lab is hosting a series of workshops for children. 9-11 a.m. every second Sunday of the month. Orange County Great Park farmers market, 6950 Marine Way, Irvine. ocgp.org
Southern California Orchid Species Society: Speakers will cover orchid topics. Refreshments are served. 2 p.m. every second Sunday of the month. Kraemer Memorial Park, 201 N. Bradford, Community Building, Room 10, Placentia. $5; free for visitors. socalorchidspecies.com
May 16
Newport Harbor Orchid Society: 7-10 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month. Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave. Free. 949-759-1464. nhos.org
The Year Around Garden Club: Presenting a free talk by Marcia La Cour with “Let’s Talk Avocados!” A delightful, informal and informative talk about avocados. Topics can range from “myths, to growing tips to local history.” Bring your questions. Ask about cooking and grafting and growing from seed. What does “avocado” mean? 10 a.m.-noon. Liberty Community Plaza, 14181 Telegraph Road, Whittier. 562 697-0636. nancyjbird@verizon.net
May 17
Orange County Orchid Society: Educational talks on hundreds of varieties of orchid topics. Learn to care for and identify plants. Raffle, refreshments and fun. 7 p.m. every third Wednesday. Yorba Linda Public Library, 18181 Imperial Highway. Free to visitors. ocos.net
May 18
California Rare Fruit Growers, Orange County chapter: The group offers presentations, fruit tastings, group purchases, scion exchange, field trips and garden tours. The chapter is dedicated to conducting research on hardiness, propagation and growing requirements of rare fruits in California conditions. 7:30 p.m. every third Thursday except July. OC Fair & Event Center, Silo Building, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. ocfruit.com
Send events to: maalcala@scng.com