Guest Speakers
In an on-going effort to continue to provide educational opportunities to club members and guests, a guest speaker is invited to the monthly garden club meeting. The topics are varied. A question and answer period immediately follows each presentation.
Pest Control in the Garden
Eww, gross! Is that what you think about those insects in your garden? Learn multiple techniques for effective pest control that are the least toxic for your home environment. UC Master Gardeners of Orange County will provide you with the latest information on a variety of methods to keep those bad pests away, and encourage the beneficial insects, all while protecting the environment.
October 2022
Tom Carruth
E.L & Ruth B Shannon Curator, Rose Collection at the Huntington Gardens
Mr. Carruth will share his deep knowledge of rose selections and cultivation acquired over a 40 plus year in the rose hybridizing business. Mr. Carruth is responsible for the hybridization and introduction of disease resistant, fragrant and floriferous rose selections popular worldwide while working for Weeks roses.
He is now responsible for the 3 acre Huntington rose garden that includes over 1300 rose cultivars and 2500 individual shrubs.
September 7, 2022
Cosmopolitan Coyotes
Of course, we’ve all seen coyotes on city trails and even walking along sidewalks right here in San Clemente. Janice Munson, a Conservation Coach for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, will be speaking about mitigating your encounters with wildlife within city limits--especially coyotes.
May 4, 2022
The Magnificent Seven of The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo
Leeta Latham, Public Relations Manager at The Nature Reserve, will present to the garden club in April. Learn about the fabled handshake between two fellow Irish immigrants that ultimately grew into The Nature Reserve and most importantly, learn about The Nature Reserve’s seven endangered species.
April 6, 2022
California’s Own Native Landscape Design
Author and speaker, Greg Rubin, who founded California’s Own Native Landscape Design, will present how a native landscape can be an ecologically responsible way to create defensible space and protect your home from wildfire. He will also discuss the research behind this, as well as general principles for successful native landscape design, installation, and maintenance.
March 2, 2022
Gardening on a Grand Scale: Talega
A gardener's work is never done. There are always new plants, new ideas, new bugs, new sprinkler leaks, more things to repair or replace. Now imagine your garden is 1,500 acres, and the existing hardscape on your lot includes 3,850 residential units, roads, tennis courts, a clubhouse, plus pools, schools, parks, and a shopping center. Overseeing all this is Brian Taylor, Executive Director for Talega. Brian will speak at the February 2022 meeting about the evolution of the landscaping in Talega, what challenges the community faces, and some of the ins and outs of how it all gets done.
February 2, 2022
The Wonderful Life Of A Dying Tree
You are unlikely to view a dead tree the same way again! Gillian Martin of the Cavity Conservation Initiative illustrates their contribution to the health and sustainability of forests — even the urban forest! Gillian also offers guidance on what to consider when selecting and converting a hazardous tree to a habitat tree.
January 5, 2022
Succulent Bonsai
Looking for a new gardening project? Succulents are ideal for bonsai. Al Klein of Botanic Wonders demonstrates how to create and care for them. Bonsai-style gardening is a great way to get creative with your succulents and try out a new hobby.
November 3, 2021
Hot Color, Dry Garden: Color-Filled & Waterwise, Colorful Plants
Designing with color is exciting, but it can also be a little intimidating and challenging to know where to start. Well known author, Nan Sterman, demonstrates all the ways to introduce color into the garden, from plants to architecture, accessories and details.
October 6, 2021
California Native Plants
In 1998, Elizabeth Wallace embarked on a landscaping project for the nonprofit Teen Project in Trabuco Canyon. Her goal was to rehabilitate a residential acreage and create nature gardens that are healing for residents and wildlife. The 12-acre site now features a butterfly garden as its centerpiece, as well as vegetable gardens, restored coastal sage scrub slopes, and nature-friendly front yards. Future plans include a nature park for children and adults, and a bird-sanctuary garden.
September 1, 2021
Horticultural Aspects —
San Diego Zoo
Adam Graves from The San Diego Zoo will share his expertise in the horticultural aspects of the San Diego Zoo.
A Taste of French Country Living
Bonnie Jo Manion is a garden writer, blogger, speaker and photographer in San Diego County. Influenced by her travels and time spent living abroad, she lives a “French Country Lifestyle” through her cooking, entertaining, gardening, styling and writing.
Bonnie shares her French Country lifestyle with tips for seasonal living, Mediterranean gardening, cooking from the garden, Provence flavors and easy styling. They all go hand in hand, layer upon layer to create ‘le bon vivre” the good life.
Why is the French Country lifestyle so adored and revered? There is an underlying thread of simplicity that tugs at your heartstrings. It is stylish, yet functional and relevant for all of us today.
May 6, 2020
Orchids
Fred Clarke has been an avid orchid grower for over 30 years. His plants have received hundreds of awards from the American Orchid Society. He joins us again this year to share his passion and curiosity for Venezuela’s National Flower, the Catteya mossiae. See magnificent picture of Cattleya mossiae in the wild and learn about the havitat and perils that await the future for the queen of Venezuelan Cattleyas.
January 6, 2021
Lotusland
An informative discussion about Lotusland and Organic Gardening with Cory Welles.
Botanical Gardens
A discussion of Botanical Gardens and the Proposed New Gardens in Orange County.