American Horticultural Society

45th Annual John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show (Fort Bragg, CA)

Each year, the Noyo Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society (ARS) partners with Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens to showcase some of the best rhodie specimens on the west coast. The 45th annual John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show will be held at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5. The juried show is quite possibly the largest in California with a typical show displaying more than 800 entries and filling the big tent with cascades of color and fragrance.

Pacific Rose Society Show and Sale (Arcadia, CA)

The Pacific Rose Society hosts one of the largest rose shows each spring. Rose Exhibitors from all over Southern California bring their beautiful roses for display. For this year’s rose show, exhibitors and judges must be registered with the convention and have a Registration Number. You do not need to be a member of Pacific Rose Society to exhibit or visit our rose show.

Forest Bathing at the Garden (San Francisco, CA)

Looking to feel more grounded and to deepen your relationship with nature? The practice of Forest Therapy (also known as Forest Bathing or Shinrin Yoku) encourages participants to slow down and reconnect with the natural world by quieting the mind and awakening the senses. The practice has been scientifically proven to boost immune strength, reduce stress, and improve cognitive functioning.

On this gentle walk, a certified Forest Therapy Guide will lead you through a series of crafted invitations to assist you in finding your own authentic way of interacting with the More-Than-Human World while building community with your fellow participants. There’s no right or wrong way to participate — just come and be yourself. Please arrive 5-10 minutes early. $2 of each ticket purchase will be donated to OneTreePlanted.org, a nonprofit organization focused on global reforestation. This walk will involve gentle physical activity. We recommend wearing warm, comfortable clothing.

Springs Preserve Botanical Garden Earth Day Celebration (Las Vegas, NV)

Celebrate Earth Day at the Springs Preserve, where Every Day is Earth Day! Join the community and bring the whole family for fun and educational explorations of our campus—a living example of sustainable lifestyles, design and architecture. Check out our conservation-focused exhibits and attractions, visit with environmental and green industry exhibitors, participate in eco-friendly craft activities, grab a bite to eat from local food trucks, and find out how you can play a role in ensuring a sustainable future through resource conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction and natural resource protection.

San Diego Botanic Garden Bird Walk (Encinitas, CA)

Join us the first Monday of each month for an SDBG-hosted a bird walk led by our birding specialists Rita Campbell, Sue Smith, Gretchen Nell, and Jeff Clingan. SDBG is a birding hotspot, providing a home to our native birds, migrants, and wintering guests.

Starting promptly at 8am to gain the most out of our early morning birding hours, the group searches out the greatest number of bird species in our native and ornamental gardens. The experience varies according to the season and always provides an unique, interesting, and informative walk through the Garden. All those interested in birding, beginner to expert, are invited to attend.

Sonoma Botanical Garden’s Ribbit Exhibit (Glen Ellen, CA)

Sonoma Botanical Garden leaps into spring with Ribbit Exhibit, a whimsical, family-friendly presentation of more than 20 larger-than-life frog characters placed in vignettes throughout the Garden. Each with their own name and story, the enchanting human-sized sculptures by artist Andy Cobb include Zenny meditating on a leaf on the Garden’s Pond, Bentley and his tortoise friend Tortuga ambling along the California Oaks Trail, dapper Floyd and his elegant partner Grace cutting the rug amongst the flowers, and many others.

Natural Dyeing with Local Plants: Eco Printing (Claremont, CA)

Learn to create colorful, unique prints on fabric with local dye plants in this workshop led by artist and naturalist Erin Berkowitz of Berbo Studio. You’ll leave with your own unique fabric print created in class, and with the knowledge and techniques to repeat the process on your own at home.

Intro to Mixed Media (Claremont, CA)

The world of art is made of pens, paint, and paper. Each material or medium is beautiful on its own, but they explode in vibrancy when layered together. Join artist and teacher Aleta Jacobson for an Introduction of Mixed Media. Learn techniques to make something that is more than the sum of its parts.

Yarn with the Yuccas: CalBG Fiber Arts Meet Up Group (Claremont, CA)

Fiber art in the forest? Crocheting with the cactuses? Felting in the fields? Purling with the palms?

Join us for Yarn with the Yuccas and celebrate the end of the work week with a creative and relaxing midday get together, while surrounded by the beauty of growing nature. Bring your fiber arts related craft materials (knitting, crocheting, felting, spinning, etc.) to this monthly meet up and exchange tips, patterns, ideas, and conversation. Beginners are welcome.

Family Bird Walk (Claremont, CA)

These free family-friendly walks will lead you through the beautiful, winding trails of California Botanic Garden showing how you can spot and identify your local bird life.

Meet Pomona Valley Audubon Society hosts at the Garden entrance at 8:00 a.m. for free admission. This family-friendly bird walk is approximately 2 hours long and is perfect for beginners and experienced birders alike. No binoculars? No worries! Loaner binoculars are available (limited number so first come first served.) You will receive instructions on their use as well.