Welcome to the Southern California Horticultural Society

PLANT LOVERS SHARINg KNOWLEDGE

On the second Thursday of each month, we invite speakers to present a talk or program about their area of expertise. We offer in-person meetings as well as live-streaming on Zoom. Everyone is welcome! In-person events are usually free for SCHS Members and students with ID; a $5 entry fee is requested for non-members. Zoom webinars are usually free, but registration is required.

Meetings may also include Plant Sales, a Raffle and expert discussion of plants brought in to the Plant Forum. Do you have an interesting plant to share? If you can't bring one in person, send in a photo and requested information on our Plant Forum Page.

For more information about the Society, please see our About SCHS page.

UPCOMING PROGRAM:

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

California Eden: Heritage Landscapes of the Golden State

with co-authors Susan Chamberlin and Christine Edstrom O'Hara

The Southern California Horticultural Society is pleased to welcome Christine Edstrom O’Hara and Susan Chamberlin to present a Zoom talk about California Eden: Heritage Landscapes of the Golden State, the book they recently coedited. Their talk will examine how the California landscape has been transformed by its Indigenous peoples, Spanish colonizers, settlers, as well as nurserymen and women. They will also touch on some essays in the book that emphasize Southern California horticulture.

Christine Edstrom O’Hara is a professor of landscape architecture at Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo. She received her BA in English from Stanford University, a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Washington, and a PhD in Landscape Architecture from the  University of Edinburgh. O’Hara is the past president of the California Garden & Landscape History Society, on the Scholars Council for the Olmsted Network, and is passionate about education and conservation of historic places.

Susan Chamberlin, ASLA, is a landscape historian and licensed landscape architect. She holds a BA in Landscape Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley and an MA in Architectural History from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Additionally, she is a founding member of the California Garden & Landscape History Society, and has made contributions to its journal, Eden, Pacific Horticulture, Arts and Architecture magazine, Site Lines, historic structures reports, and other publications. Chamberlin is the author of Hedges, Screens & Espaliers, and was a contributing editor of several horticulture books. She also taught garden history at Santa Barbara City College.

There are many untold stories in our built environment, and California Eden reveals a number of them. Our presenters will be sharing a look at the history of the state through the lens of cultural landscapes; those shaped by humans who have left their imprints on the natural world. It will be fascinating to trace our state’s horticultural lineage through this inspiring program.  You can register to join us at: www.socalhort.org. 

Book cover illustration courtesy of Millicent Harvey Photography

Please note: This program will only be available live.  It will not be recorded at the speakers’ request.

DATE:  Thursday, April  10, 2025

LOCATION:  Zoom Only: Please register here to receive the link

Announcements:   7:10 p.m.   /   Plant Forum:   7:15 p.m.  /  Program:   7:30 p.m.

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Upcoming Events:

Saturday, March 22, 2025 (Member-only event)
FIELD TRIP to UCLA Mildred E Mathias Botanic Garden.
Join us for an insider's tour of the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanic Garden, led by Allison Keeney. REGISTER HERE!

Thursday, April 10, 2025  ** RESCHEDULED FROM JANUARY **
ONLINE ZOOM - free, but you must register ahead of time. Register here

Authors Susan Chamberlin and Christine O'Hara will speak about their new book, California Eden. This webinar will NOT be recorded.

Friday, May 9, 2025
Hybrid Zoom and Live at the Los Angeles Zoo
Ruth Borun Lecture Series presents Amy Stewart speaking on her new book, The Tree Collectors: Tales of Arboreal Obsession.
Free for SCHS Members, $15 for non-members (live or Zoom).  REGISTER HERE!

Visit our Past Meetings page to re-watch previously recorded in-person meetings and webinars, download each meeting write-up, and reference any materials provided by our speakers.

SCHS URGES SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF THE LOS ANGELES FIRES

Dear members and friends of the Southern California Horticultural Society,

It is still really difficult to comprehend the utter devastation brought on by the Eaton and Palisades fires this year. We know of several SCHS members who have lost their homes and this is heartbreaking.

SCHS has donated funds in the past to aid nurseries that have suffered fire damage. However, it is not our policy to support individuals. We made a donation to Direct Relief (https://www.directrelief.org/) to assist their efforts to help everyone affected.

We also urge all of you to help as much as you can. These are resource organizations that are on the ground now helping real people:

Direct Relief
World Central Kitchen
California Community Foundation
California Fire Foundation
Pasadena Humane Society
L.A. Fire Department Foundation
American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles
Center for Disaster Philanthropy

We also ask you to consider giving to GoFundMe accounts, but urge you to be cautious as there are vile people trying to take advantage of this horrible situation. If you are unsure about a GoFundMe account, please reach out through verified contact avenues (direct call, text or email) to friends to make sure that their accounts are legitimate.

Our former President, John Schoustra, is still raising funds to rebuild his nursery that was damaged in the Mountain Fire in November 2024. John's friends at Apricot Lane Farms have put together a GoFundMe account to help John get back on his feet.
https://gofund.me/f1e12c5a

The recovery process will be long and difficult. We all need to help one another; only together will we be able to rebuild our beautiful neighborhoods.

- Laura Bauer, President
Southern California Horticultural Society

• Our Hort Happenings page lists events at local horticultural institutions. 
• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Tag @socalhort in your photos to be featured on our page!
• Want to re-watch a previous meeting, plant forum, or event? Visit our YouTube Channel for all available recordings!
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