Sepulveda Garden Center Hosts Native Plant Lectures

The is set to have a plant sale and talk series this weekend. With over 1000 plants of over 50 California native species, there is a plant that can fill your garden's needs, from hot and dry to moist and shady. Many native plants can survive quite well with natural rainfall once they get established. Sale items include seeds, irises, mints, sages, berries, hummingbird and butterfly plants, shrubs, perennials, and trees.

A selection of native annual wildflower species will be available for purchase; visit displays and exhibits by local environmental agencies and non-profits.

Featuring FREE Native Plant Gardening Talks

Saturday at 11:00am: Genevieve Arnold, Seed Room Manager, Theodore Payne Foundation will present “California Dreamin’: Sowing Seeds for Spring Wildflowers."

The late fall months in southern California are prime time for sowing native annual wildflower seeds in the garden. As the grey days of winter pass by, it’s fun to imagine the bright array of flower colors and patterns that will emerge in the spring!  Annual wild flowers perform well in a variety of garden spaces, from open areas to borders and creative display beds or pots. Join us to get an overview of some beloved annuals and learn tips on preparing your soil and sowing techniques.  

Saturday at 1:30pm: Bart O’Brien, noted horticulturist and Director of Special Projects at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden will present "Reimagining the California Lawn."  

Bart's talk will be based around the book we have been waiting for--how to create a beautiful California "lawn" that is both efficient in use of resources and water-conserving! Bart O'Brien, Carol Bornstein and David Fross have produced an outstanding guide for those seeking alternatives to concrete, fake turf, overwatered and overfed grasses and high water bills. Books will be available for purchase and signing.  

Sunday at noon: Steven Hartman, naturalist, native gardener and author will present "California Native Plants in the Field and in the Garden."  

Seeing an image of a plant in its natural setting is helping when contemplating natives to purchase for your home landscape. Looking at the little plant in the one-gallon pot doesn't really give you an idea of how the plant will look when mature. Steve will talk about growing habits and requirements of natives, and show examples of public native landscapes and from his home garden in Sherman Oaks, with comparisons with images from the field.

Native Plant Sale October 29 & 30, 10am to 4pm. , 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino (near Hayvenhurst).