Southern California Horticultural Society Where passionate gardeners meet to share knowledge and learn from each other. socalhort.org NEWSLETTER September 2017 OUR NEXT MEETING SCHS WELCOMES SHARING SECRETS IN THIS ISSUE Annual Horticulturist NEW MEMBERS The SCHS Sharing Secrets August Speaker Recap, question for September is: of the Year Banquet We gained two new Sharing Secerets and members last month: Where are your favorite HOTY information ...... 2 (and Silent Auction) “secret gardens” to get away Nancy Edwards from (or enjoy!) the heat? Green Sheet (June/July) . . . 3 & 4 September 14 Jane Kaylor Answer on our website at L.A. County Arboretum socalhort.org Horticultural Happenings . . . 5 or e-mail your response to: See Page 2 for details! www.socalhort.org [email protected] Upcoming Programs and d d by Monday, September 18 SCHS Contact info...... 6 SCHS 2017 ANNUAL AWARD BANQUET Honoring Horticulturist of the Year Randy Baldwin September 14 at the L.A. County Arboretum - Details on Page 2 The Southern California Horticultural a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a Society is pleased to honor Randy Baldwin concentration in Botany at UCSB. His with the 2017 Horticulturist of the Year early introduction to the natural world award. Randy is perhaps best known as was facilitated by hiking and camping trips President and General Manager of San with his family and youth groups, and as a Marcos Growers, a wholesale nursery in neighborhood for-hire gardener in South Santa Barbara recognized in the landscape Pasadena. One notable achievement industry for the diversity of plants it which is still appreciated today was his grows and the ongoing introduction of Eagle Scout project of building trails at the new plants suitable for cultivation in Theodore Payne Foundation. California. However, his achievements In his spare time, Randy speaks to extend far beyond the nursery as he has groups about the plants that he grows and served the horticultural community in writes the web pages for the San Marcos a wide range of capacities, including as a Randy currently serves as a board Growers horticultural website. Randy and founding member of the Santa Barbara member of the Cactus and Succulent his family live in a turn-of-the-century Horticultural Consortium; his work with Society of America (CSSA) and the farmhouse on the nursery property, PlantRight, an invasive plant prevention California Association of Nurseries and surrounded by demonstration gardens organization; and as a member of the Garden Centers (CANGC). He is on the consisting of many summer-dry plants Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Advisory Plant Collection Committee at Ganna for which San Marcos Growers is known. Committee, to name only a few. He is Walska Lotusland and the Landscape It is our pleasure to present Randy also active in several plant societies, is a Design Review Committee for the Baldwin with this year’s award, and we civic consultant on landscape water use, a University of California at Santa Barbara. invite you to join us in celebrating his published garden photographer, instructor Prior to beginning his career at San numerous and diverse contributions to and popular speaker for over 35 years. Marcos Growers in 1981, Randy completed the horticultural world. d If you are attending the banquet and All of your donations are appreciated, but LAST CALL are still finding things to donate to the Silent we need the advance notice to make sure we Auction, you may bring them with you, BUT can accommodate everything! FOR SILENT AUCTION please inform Steve Gerischer at least 2 days in You can reach Steve at: [email protected] or advance so he is aware and can prepare a bid by phone (323)257-3629...... card for your item(s). Thank you! u AUGUST PROGRAM RECAP • HOTY BANQUET DETAILS • SHARING SECRETS Our August speaker, Genevieve When collecting seed, it is important Arnold, presented a program entitled to recognize whether the inflorescences SHARING SECRETS “Celebrating Seed Season” just as of a plant are determinate or Thank you to everyone who we’re heading into prime planting indeterminate. In the first case, an responded to last month’s question: weather, with a focus on harvesting axis will terminate in a flower and and processing seed from the native everything on the plant ripens around What plant do you love or hate garden. She is the Seed Program the same time, allowing all seed to be more than any other? Manager at the Theodore Payne collected at once. Sages are an example Foundation for Native Plants, and of determinate plants. Indeterminate d LOVE c shared much useful information for inflorescences ripen gradually and Michelia spp. - ALL ! those interested in trying their hand at must be observed and collected across - Keith Peabody gathering, cleaning and saving seed, the season. Genevieve cited sunflowers as well as providing “how-to” hand- as an example of indeterminate Acalypha hispida, aka Chenille - outs for home use. inflorescences, whose heads can be I absolutely LOVE the fuzzy blooms! cut before they are completely dried It’s the coolest plant ever (next to out, and then allowed to ripen in a Shrimp Plant). brown bag. She showed slides of both - Denice Vasquez types, as well as of dehiscent seeds, Brugmansia, for its weird exoticism. which split open on their own, and - Ron Lanyi indehiscent seeds, whose walls need to decay or be broken open. A selection Agapanthus, all sizes and all sorts! of photos depicting seeds at various Wonderfully easy and neat and BLUE stages of ripeness were also shown. - especially nice under Jacaranda! Learning to identify when a seed is at - Shirley Marneus its peak of ripeness will increase chances for favorable results if you are collecting d HATE c to plant. Genevieve recommended Salsola kali the Complete Guide to Saving Seeds - Anonymous Genevieve began by talking about by Robert Gough as a resource, and the bounty that native seeds provide presented tools for the audience to Bougainvillea received 2 negative - from simple food sources for birds, handle which are used for harvesting cards, citing the thorns, the glaring animals and man, to varied uses that seeds in different ways, including color and the messy bracts! derive from processed seeds, such threshing, sifting and winnowing. She - Anonymous as porridge, soap, cups, bowls, and also mentioned that unplanted seeds even hypoallergenic pillow stuffing. can be stored for indefinite periods and d MIXED c However, in order to harvest seeds remain viable, as long as they are kept in Chinese mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) for any use at all, it is imperative a temperate, air-tight and dark place. I hate it for the mess it drops on my to know when a plant will set seed, In addition to explaining the roof every quarter, but my wife calls how to determine if they are ripe, and proper methods for harvesting it a “beauty”.... what techniques to use for collecting and processing seeds, Genevieve - Charles Ortiz and storing them. This led to the answered audience questions before detailed part of her presentation concluding her informative program. See page 1 for this month’s question! called “Fantastic Inflorescences and Thanks to all of you for sharing... Their Fun Fruits.” d Sabine Steinmetz Southern California Horticultural Society 2017 Annual Award Banquet Thursday, September 14, 2017 Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden · 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007 Social hour & silent auction. Dinner & presentation begin at 7pm. Silent Auction bidding ends at 7 pm (Reminder: We are unable to accept credit cards at the auction. Cash and checks only please.) STILL NEED A TICKET? On-line registration closes Sept. 12, but you may call Laura Bauer at (626) 437-9459 to check for availability. v Southern California Horticultural Society GREEN SHEET Plant Forum Selections ∙ July 2017 The Plant Forum is a display of plants grown by members & exhibited at our monthly general meeting.

PLANTS SHOWN at JULY 13, 2017 MEETING Leymus condensatus ‘Canyon Prince’ (Poaceae) Wild Rye shown by Jacky Surber. California native grass Stenotaphrum with beautiful silvery gray foliage. Low water needs. secundatum ‘Variegatum’ (Poaceae) Encyclia sp. (Orchidaceae) Variegated St. Augustine Shown by Steven Gerischer. Range is from Central grass, shown by Aprille America to Florida. Grown outdoors year round in frost- Curtis. Occurs naturally free areas. Part sun. Moderate water needs. Flowers are on both sides of the green and cream colored. Atlantic Ocean, including the southeastern United Russelia equisetiformis States and Central (Plantaginaceae) America. This variegated Coral Fountain, shown by form of St. Augustine Eric and Ann Brooks. Nearly grass is spectacular in continuous flowering of pots, trailing over the tubular coral red blooms on edge. Can be used for draping stems with narrow small scale lawns but foliage. Species name may look slightly peculiar. Best in part shade. refers to resemblance to horsetail rushes. Favorite of Constancea nevinii (Asteraceae) hummingbirds. Shown by Carol Bornstein, from the gardens at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. California native with beautiful silver foliage and small Also shown yellow blooms. Summer dry adapted. but not pictured: Solidago californica (Asteraceae) Juglans californica (Juglandaceae) Shown by Carol Bornstein, from the Natural History no name given for exhibitor. Museum garden. California native. Gold/yellow blooms. Summer dry adapted. Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’ (Rhamnaceae) ) Duranta erecta ‘Variegata’ (Verbenaceae) No name given for exhibitor. Variegated Sky Platanus racemosa (Platanaceae) Flower, shown Sycamore, California native. No name given for exhibitor. by Eric and Salvia clevelandii (Lamiaceae) Ann Brooks. A California native sage. No name given for exhibitor. fast-growing shrub to 25’ with Hymenocallis narcissiflora (Amaryllidaceae) variegated shiny Shown by Eric and Ann Brooks. foliage and many small, pendulous d Compiled by Steven Gerischer clusters of blue flowers. Full sun. Moderate water. August “Green Sheet” on reverse w Southern California Horticultural Society GREEN SHEET Plant Forum Selections ∙ August 2017 The Plant Forum is a display of plants grown by members & exhibited at our monthly general meeting.

PLANTS SHOWN at AUGUST 10, 2017 MEETING

Ipomoea carnea (Convolvulaceae) Morning Glory Tree, shown by Eric and Ann Brooks. From the American Tropics. A tall, lanky shrub that can grow to 6’- 8’ in height. Blooms all year with pink morning glory flowers.

Hamelia patens (Rubiaceae) Firebush, shown by Eric and Ann Brooks. Range is from Mexico to Barleria rotundifolia Florida to Bolivia. (Acanthaceae) A fast-growing Shown by Eric and perennial shrub Ann Brooks. Evergreen that can grow to shrub from South Africa. 15’ but is typically Spiny stems with yellow kept shorter in cultivation. The masses of tubular flowers that bloom for orange-red flowers attract hummingbirds. Full sun and several months. Grows low water needs. Originally from San Marcos Growers. 3’-4’ and makes a good barrier hedge. Full sun. Allow to dry between d Compiled by Steven Gerischer waterings.

NOTE: There was no Plant Forum in June as the general meeting was held at the L.A. Zoo. x SEPTEMBER HORTICULTURAL HAPPENINGS ______Please contact location(s) to confirm EATON CANYON NATURE CENTER Saturday, 9/23, 1-3:30pm. Irrigation Practices for Native listed events, and for a full schedule. Plant Gardens with Carol Armour Aronson. Class 1750 N. Altadena Dr., Pasadena 91107 covers irrigation principles, techniques and equipment Events are free with admission 626.398.5420 ecnca.org best suited for native plant landscapes – with practical unless otherwise indicated. Saturday, 9/16, 9am-Noon, Nature Patio. Conservation examples, a demo of TPF’s irrigation system and time ______Locations are listed by Zip Code. Work Day. Help with weeding invasive plants. Gloves, tools for questions. $30 TPF members, $40 non-members. and snack provided. Please bring your own drinking water. Wear clothing, footwear and sun protection appropriate for Saturday, 9/23, 1:30-3:30pm. Groovy Grasses with LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARBORETUM outdoor work. Volunteers aged 18 & under must bring along Carol Bornstein. This class reveals garden-worthy 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia 91007 an adult. RSVP to [email protected]. California grasses for use as low-care lawn alternatives, as wildlife habitat, and to add movement and texture 626.821.4623 arboretum.org d to the landscape. Includes an exploration in TPF’s Thursday, 9/14, 9:30am-Noon. What’s Happening in HUNTINGTON BOTANICAL GARDENS demo gardens. $25 TPF members, $35 non-members. Gardening: Garden Rocks with Nancy Bird. Collect 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino 91108 Saturday, 9/30, 2-3:00pm. Sustainable Slopes with rocks for free on Bureau of Land Management property 626.405.2100 huntington.org Joshua Link offers the fundamentals of gardening - our land! Handouts of rules, maps, and resources on uneven ground using native plants and light-on- included, and a variety of rocks will be displayed. Saturdays, 10am-1pm. Ranch Open House. Get ideas the-land construction methods for stabilization and What’s Happening in Gardening is hosted by Matt- for sustainable gardening at our urban agriculture erosion control. $15 TPF members, $20 non-members. Dell & Rebecca Tufenkian on 8 Thursdays. $140 series site. Experts from the University of California L.A. d or $25 per class. Pre-reserve or pay at door. For more County Master Gardener program will be on hand to info.: 626-821-4623 or [email protected]. answer questions and offer seasonal tips. RANCHO SANTA ANA BOTANIC GARDEN Saturday, 9/16, 10am-Noon. Plant Combinations Thursday, 9/14, 2:30pm, Ahmanson Room, Brody 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont 91711 for Pots with Laramee Haynes of Haynes Landscape Botanical Center. Garden Talk & Sale: The Have-It- 909.625.8767 rsabg.org Design discusses the art of combining plants and All, Low-Water Landscape with Scott Kleinrock, Saturday & Sunday, 9/23 and 9/24, 9am-5pm. Botany which plants really last in pots. $25 Arboretum conservation programs manager at the Chino Basin 101. In this 2-day class, learn plants physiology members, $35 non-members Register at: 626-821- Water Conservation District. Learn how to envision from roots to shoots, and explore concepts of 4623 or pay at the class. spaces that provide color, habitat, and shade - while biological evolution, taxonomy, and ecology. Gain using less water. Plant selection and design basics are an overview of the diversity of plants around us Thursday, 9/21, 9:30am-Noon. What’s Happening in covered, as well as the CBWCD’s Garden Planner website. Gardening: Beekeeping - A Symbiotic Relationship, and get equipped with a set of plant ID skills. $125 presented by Erika WainDecker, co-owner of Saturday, 9/16, 9-10am, Ahmanson Room, Brody members, $150 non-members. To register, contact: Klausesbees, will relate her experiences being a Botanical Center. Master Gardener Clinic: Compost [email protected]. “Guardian of the Bee.” See 9/14 “What’s Happening 101, led by L.A. County Master Gardener Randy d in Gardening” listing (above) for registration details. Thomson, who will explain best practices for turning kitchen scraps and yard trimmings into rich compost. FULLERTON ARBORETUM Thursday, 9/28, 9:30am-Noon. What’s Happening 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton 92831 in Gardening: Gardening for Your Dining Table with d Christine Anthony, a UCCE Master Gardener. Learn THEODORE PAYNE FOUNDATION 657.278.3407 fullertonarboretum.org about fall plant and fruit tree choices, and practical tips 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley 91352 Sunday, 9/10, 1-4pm. Nature Photography. Class for garden and kitchen. Be prepared to share recipes includes tips, tricks and techniques to help you advance and gardening tips! See 9/14 “What’s Happening in 818.768.1802 theodorepayne.org your photography skills, beginning with basic photo Gardening” listing (above) for registration details. Fridays, 9/15, 9/29, & 10/13, 11:30am-3:30pm. Three- concepts, through step-by-step sequences illustrating practical approaches for effective photos. Over 500 Saturday, 9/30, 12-2pm. Creating Your Own Butterfly Part California Native Garden Design with Laura Bauer. This comprehensive 3-session course for home examples show what to do and what to avoid. $35 Hub with Arboretum Gardener Bryan Burks. Tour members, $40 non-members. butterfly and plant partnerships, and learn about plant gardeners offers a sound foundation in design styles species and techniques to foster your own butterfly and process, the importance of sustainability and how Saturday, 9/16, 1-4pm. Basics of Home Composting communities. $25 Arboretum members, $35 non- to model a garden after patterns in nature. Required with Arboretum’s Education Program Manager Miguel members Register at: 626-821-4623 or pay at the class. course prerequisite is TPF’s Right Plant, Right Place Macias, who teach you what to add in and keep out of class. $225 members, $275 non-members; $285 the pile. $7 members, $10 non-members. d member couples, $335 non-member couples. d DESCANSO GARDENS Saturdays, 9/16, 9/30 & 10/14, 9am-1pm. Three- 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada 91011 Part California Native Garden Design with Andreas SANTA BARBARA HORT. SOCIETY Hessing. This comprehensive 3-session course for Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 818.949.7980 descansogardens.org home gardeners offers a sound foundation in design 909 N. La Cumbre Rd., Santa Barbara 93110 Saturday, 9/23, 9am-3pm. Wet & Wonderful: styles and process, the importance of sustainability Celebrating Our Precious Water. Get inspired to plan and how to model a garden after patterns in nature. 805.684.5725 www.sbchs.org your water-wise garden through fun and educational See 9/15 listing (above) for registration details. Saturday, 9/24, 10am-3pm. Annual Plant Sale. Specialty family programming, pick up a rain barrel (advance Saturday, 9/16, 1:30-3:00pm. All About Oaks: vendors attending and hundreds of member-grown plant purchase recommended: www.rainbarrelsintl.com), Selection, Care and Laws with Jan Scow. Learn which varieties and related items – including exotics, natives, enjoy a musical performance of “H20, Where Did native oaks work where? What are their watering and bromeliads, succulents, annuals, perennials, grasses, and You Go?,” or just get tips from experts. All activities establishment needs? How do laws affect oaks on cacti. Raffle table of specimen plants and other items. free with admission. For more info. visit: www. your property? How do you properly prune and All proceeds benefit the SBCHS Scholarship Program. For descansogardens.org/event/wet-wonderful protect oaks? $20 TPF members, $30 non-members. more info. go to: www.sbchs.org. d y d Yvonne Savio z UPCOMING SCHS PROGRAMS d BOARD OF DIRECTORS d Unless otherwise noted, meetings are regularly held at Steven Gerischer - President, Oral History Committee, PR, Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, 90027 Pacific Horticulture representative, Tech Support for meetings Laura Bauer - Treasurer, Finance Committee, Website Committee d September 14 - Horticulturist of the Year Annual Banquet, Pat Steen - Membership Secretary, Recording Secretary, honoring Randy Baldwin Coffee-in-the-Garden, Greeter VENUE: Los Angeles County Arboretum Carol Bornstein - Program Committee Yoav Paskowitz - Finance Committee, Oral History Committee, d October 12 - Lili Singer, horticulturist and educator, Website Committee speaking about “Good Bugs in the Garden” Yvonne Savio - Horticultural Happenings, Coffee-in-the-Garden, PR John Schoustra -Vice President, Field Trips, Finance Committee, d November 9 - ‘Aloes and Agaves in Cultivation’ presented by Plant Raffle, Plant Sales at meetings Jeff Moore, owner of Solano Succulents Lili Singer - Book of the Month, Nomination Committee, Program Committee, PR, Archives d December 14 - SCHS Holiday Party - program TBA Jill Vig - Coffee-in-the-Garden, Oral History Committee, Pacific Horticulture representative, Special Projects GARDEN QUOTE OF THE MONTH Sabine Steinmetz - Newsletter, Sharing Secrets Steven Ormenyi - Finance Committee “ For man, Autumn Marilee Kuhlmann - Hospitality Committee, Program Committee is a time of harvest... Carol Aronson for nature, it is a time of sowing...” Aprille Curtis - Plant Forum supplies - Edwin Way Teale Fleur Nooyen 818-567-1496 / socalhort.org / Join us on Facebook Newsletter Editor: Sabine Steinmetz Contributors: Laura Bauer, Carol Bornstein, Yvonne Savio

Next deadline: September 18 (for October newsletter) SEPTEMBER Please contribute an article or information of interest.

Southern California Horticultural Society P.O. Box 94476 Pasadena CA 91109-4476 NEWSLETTER September 2017