Comic-Con of the cactus world returns
BIGGEST SHOW OF ITS KIND IN THE U.S. RETURNS TO THE L.A. ARBORETUM
IT’S SUMMER IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, so, yes, it’ s bloody hot, but it’s still a good time to learn about building better soil, caring for fruit trees, pruning native plants and sharpening your garden tools — which are going to get plenty of work in the coming months.¶ Many of these August events are outdoors, so slather on the sunscreen, grab a wide-brimmed hat and carry a water bottle. And you’ll find more gardening events online at latimes.com/plants. If you have a garden and plant-related event you’d like us to consider for the garden calendar, email jeanette.marantos@latimes.com at least three weeks in advance of the event.
Ongoing Hide and Seek — Art Meets Nature at the South Coast Botanic Garden gives visitors a chance to seek out eight hidden sculptures — six on loan from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art — while exploring the 87-acre gardens at 26300 Crenshaw Blvd. in Rolling Hills Estates, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last permitted entrance at 4:30 p.m.). Download a list of the sculptures and their locations in the garden online. Free with $15 admission to the garden ($11 for seniors and students with ID, $5 for ages 5-12 and free to children younger than 5 and members). southcoastbotanicgarden.org
Aug. 1, 15 or 29 Fruitstitute’s Citrus 101 Workshops at Arlington Garden, 275 Arlington Drive in Pasadena, will teach participants how to care for backyard citrus trees using regenerative gardening practices — techniques that nourish and replenish the soil. Each workshop includes lessons on the seasonal care of citrus trees plus two to three hours of hands-on instruction in pruning in the garden’s citrus grove. Fruitstitute is a Los-Angeles based company dedicated to teaching Angelenos how to care for their backyard fruit trees and grow quality fruit. Each workshop is a complete session and costs $50 with advance registration. eventbrite.com
Aug. 6-8 The 35th Inter-City Cactus & Succulent Show & Sale at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave. in Arcadia, is billed as the largest cactus and succulent show in the United States, drawing plants from around the world and visitors from all over the country. The show was canceled last year due to COVID, but this year it returns with vendors selling cactus and succulent plants as well as pots and other supplies all three days from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gawkers should plan to visit the judged show, which is only on Aug. 7-8, featuring the most bizarre, exotic plants you’ve ever seen. Even beginners can enter a cactus or succulent for judging on Aug. 6. Entry to the show is free with $15 admission to the Arboretum ($11 seniors and students with ID, $5 ages 5-12; children younger than 5 and members enter for free), but advance online registration is required for nonmembers. intercityshow.com
Aug. 7 August Drop-in Tour at the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden .A garden educator will offer a free guided tour of the 7.5-acre gardens, with stories about its many collections of plants — such as cycads, bromeliads and native plants of California and Hawaii — and their relevance to humans. The tour begins at 1 p.m. at the La Kretz Garden Pavilion, 707 Tiverton Drive in Westwood. Advance registration is required. botgard.ucla.edu
Family Tour of Sherman Library & Gardens is an hourlong walk through the gardens led by an expert guide with a narrative designed to engage children and adults. The tour starts at 11 a.m. at 2647 East Coast Highway in Corona del Mar and is free with $5 admission to the garden (free to members and children 3 and younger). Registration is required. thesherman.org
Restoring habitat at the Los Cerritos Wetlands is a volunteer event hosted by the Aquarium of the Pacific to restore habitat at the 66-acre wetlands by collecting seeds from rare plants, planting varieties native to the region and removing invasive non-natives. Takes place the first Saturday of every month through Dec. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers should meet at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and 1st Street in Seal Beach at 10:15 a.m. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed-toe shoes are required; hats and sunscreen are strongly recommended. Water will be provided, but this is a plastic bottle-free event, so bring your own reusable water bottle. Registration is not required. aquariumofpacific.org
Aug. 11 Shining and Sharpening Your Garden Tools is a two-hour workshop starting at 10 a.m. at Sherman Library & Gardens, 2647 East Coast Highway in Corona del Mar. Participants should bring three garden tools to clean and sharpen. They will receive instruction in caring for their tools and a personalized tool maintenance kit to use at home. The class fee is $60 ($50 for members). thesherman.org
Aug. 12 California Native Container Plants isa class offered by Flora Ito, sales manager of the Theodore Payne Foundation nursery, from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. at the nursery, 10459 Tuxford St. in Sun Valley. The class offers tips on the best native plants for containers and for creating habitat for pollinators like butterflies and bees as well as a guided walk through the nursery. Masks are mandatory, and participants are encouraged to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes for walking on uneven surfaces. Full water bottles and sun protection are also recommended. Tickets are $25 ($20 for members). Register at theodorepayne.org