Keep an eye out for blooms, birds and herbs
THE GARDEN Calendar is back, with real, live, in-person activities and several online classes.
The Calscape Garden Planner is a free and easy online tool from the California Native Plant Society to help you plan a native plant garden based on your ZIP Code, sun availability and goals for your yard. Just answer a few questions and get a long list of suggested plants, along with their requirements for water, shade and the types of pollinators they attract. If you have more questions about specific native plants, check out the exhaustive online database at calscape.org
Descanso Gardens’ camellia blooms. Most SoCal botanic gardens have a selection of camellias, and now through the end of February is prime bloom time, but Descanso Gardens’ camellia collection is billed as North America’s largest, so plan a trip to ogle these magnificent flowers, especially if you have a thing for reds and pink. Non-members must purchase tickets ahead online for $15 ($11 for seniors and students, $5 children 5-12, children under 4 and members enter free). The gardens are open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. Face coverings are required. More info: descansogardens.org
Bird Month at California Botanic Garden includes a chance for visitors to try to identify the many birds who thrive in the state’s largest botanic garden of California native plants (88 acres) at 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont. Photo buffs can enter the Bird Month photo contest through Feb. 28. Keen observers can also enter the iNaturalist Bird Contest, with prizes to the people who document the most bird species at the garden. There’s also a special scavenger hunt sheet for visitors, with limited copies at the gate or available for download online. The garden is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Nonmembers must buy tickets ahead online. Admission is $10 ($6 for seniors 65+ and students, $4 for children 3 to 12). Children under 3 and members enter free.) All visitors over 2 must wear a face covering. calbg.org
Feb. 20 The Arboretum will present the Zoom online class Herbs for the Ner ves. Herbalist Irena Cora Stathis will explore the most potent herbs for calming the mind, releasing tension, relaxing the body and promoting sleep. 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $25 or $20 for members. arboretum.org
Feb. 25 Arnold Chien brings kinetic tai chi to the Arboretum. Chien devised that martial art and was 2014 kung fu master at the USC Pacific Asia Museum. The training session includes striking, throwing and submission techniques. The class joins the arboretum’s other weekly outdoor classes in yoga, family yoga and forest bathing. 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. $25 per class ($20 for members). arboretum.org
Feb. 27 The online Zoom class Habitat Gardening for Birds and other Pollinators will be led by California Botanic Garden horticulturist Chip Grubbs. The one-hour class will focus on how to turn your garden into habitat attractive to birds, bees and other pollinators, the types of plants to grow and how to care for them. The class starts at 11 a.m. The cost is $25 or $20 for members. calbg.org
Please send your event to jeanette.marantos@ latimes.com at least three weeks in advance, and we’ll try to include it.