Garden tour by Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants
DATEBOOK
THE fifth annual garden tour organized by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants provides a chance to explore nearly 40 private L.A.-area landscapes composed of at least 50% native plants. Some have been professionally designed, most are drought-tolerant, and many are habitats for birds and butterflies. Gardens will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; the $20 fee includes both days. Information: (818) 768-1802, www.theodorepayne.org.
TODAY
Spring plants:Stephen Sommer of Sommer Wholesale Nursery in Templeton, Calif., discusses magnolias, maples, ornamental shrubs, irises and other "unusual varieties of common plants" for spring. A sale of plants picked for this climate follows the lecture. Part of the series Thursday Garden Talks With Lili Singer. 9:30 a.m. to noon. Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. $20. (626) 821-4623.
New plants:Joe Brosius of Magic Growers nursery in Pasadena will introduce "Great New Plants for Southern California Gardens" with a plant sale to follow. 2:30 p.m. Friends' Hall, Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Free. (626) 405-2100.
Agave lecture:Mary Irish, author of "Perennials for the Southwest: Plants That Flourish in Arid Gardens," lectures on agaves in this program sponsored by the Southern California Horticultural Society. 7:30 p.m. Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles. Free. www.socahort.org.
FRIDAY
Home show:The 32nd annual Home Remodeling & Decorating Show and Eco-Expo will be in Pasadena. Noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Pasadena Conference Center, 300 E. Green St. $4 to $6.75; children younger than 12, free. (818) 557-2950, www.thehomeshow.com.
SATURDAY
Gardening classes:Marta Teegan of garden design company Homegrown holds a class on growing tomatoes in raised beds. The class, in her Mount Washington garden, covers trellising methods and growing in the ground versus in pots. 10 to 11:30 a.m. $35. A workshop on starting an organic kitchen garden follows. Focus is on soil, water, companion planting and harvesting. Noon to 2 p.m. Classes are limited to 10. $60. Register by e-mailing marta@homegrownlosangeles.com.
Greenspeak lecture:
