Welcome to the Southern California Horticultural Society,
where passionate gardeners meet to share ideas
and learn from each other

On the second Thursday of each month, we invite speakers to present a talk or program about their area of expertise. We are once again offering in-person meetings as well as live-streaming on Zoom (with registration).

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.

Next Meeting: 

Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 7:30 pm PST

California in a Vase:
Native Plant Arrangements for Every Season

Zoom Webinar with Lucinda McDade and Linda Prendergast

Photos supplied by speakers

On December 9, the Southern California Horticultural society will be welcoming Lucinda McDade, California Botanic Garden’s (CalBG) Executive Director and Linda Prendergast, head of the Native Designs volunteer group at CalBG, to present a webinar about their work and provide step by step instructions – along with a materials list – for creating a gorgeous seasonal arrangement using native plant materials. Prendergast is an experienced florist and brings her extensive knowledge, plus her eye for beauty, to the new book, California in a Vase, crafted to inspire people to bring the native plants of their region into their gardens and their homes.

California in a Vase, written by David Bryant, former Director of Visitor Experience at CalBG, and with a foreward by Susan Gottlieb, features arrangements from CalBG’s Native Designs volunteer group and The Gottlieb Native Garden, celebrating each season through the changing palette of native plants. Prendergast and McDade will be presenting an “in-conversation” talk based on the book and illustrated by gorgeous photography.

Prendergast is a native Californian who put herself through college working at flower shops, which led to years employed as a grower in the wholesale nursery industry, followed by a career as a horticulture buyer for retail home centers and a national chain. After retiring in 2003, she became a volunteer at the CalBG (then Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden), where she joined the Native Designs group, eventually attaining her current position as crew chief.

McDade is a plant scientist and the Executive Director at CalBG, but characterizes her role in CalBG’s Arrange Wild workshops as Prendergast’s side kick. She assists by explaining the plant biology behind some of the tips and tricks Prendergast demonstrates – important steps that will help your glorious design last as long as possible.

We are looking forward to hearing about – and seeing – examples to help us create our own seasonal decor using California native plants. Let’s start the holidays in the best of spirits with this inspiring program!

The webinar schedule is as follows:

7:10 pm - SCHS Announcements
7:15 pm - Plant Forum
7:30 pm - 2021 SCHS Internship Presentation, followed by Lecture and Q&A with Lucinda McDade and Linda Prendergast

webinar registration here!

If you have been enjoying our monthly webinars and would like to help support the SCHS until we can meet again in-person, please consider donating any amount you feel you can. Even better, become a member, with levels beginning as low as $15. for the year. You can find details about the various levels of membership on our website at Join SCHS.

Thank you for your attention - we always appreciate your support!

SPECIAL EVENT: 

Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 10:00 am PST

SCHS Horticultural Yard Sale

In-Person Event at Baker's Acres in Tarzana

Join the Southern California Horticultural Society for a very special horticultural yard sale!
This event is free and open to the public - no registration is required! 

Horticultural items on sale include:
 - Plumerias
- Succulents
- Pelargoniums
- Lilies
- Bulbs
- Ferns
- Cool-season veggies
- Books
and more!

Location: Baker's Acres at 18552 Erwin Street, Tarzana

Upcoming SCHS Meetings:

* Thursday, January 13, 2022 IN-PERSON - Arleen Ferrara of Satori Garden Design in Los Angeles will present a program on Horticultural Therapy. 

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.

Upcoming Events and News:

• Our Hort Happenings page lists events at local horticultural institutions for the coming two months. 
• 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!
• Join our mailing list to be updated with important news about SCHS via email. Your email address will not be shared with anyone, and you may unsubscribe at any time.