THE COASTAL GARDENER:Plant lovers, don’t miss weekend show

Today, tomorrow and Sunday are the final three days of the big Southern California Spring Garden Show, an event no gardener or plant lover should miss.

As if there’s not enough to do during April, a visit to this show, going on now through Sunday in the Crate and Barrel and Macy’s Home Store wing of South Coast Plaza, is a must.

Last weekend was the other big local garden event, the Green Scene at the Fullerton Arboretum. Too late, you missed that one. Now, don’t miss this one.

Hundreds of fanatical gardeners (me included) lined up in the morning at the Fullerton Arboretum, waiting for the gates to open; hoping to get to the rare or unusual plant treasures before the rest of the crowd. The South Coast Plaza show promises equal treasures, an overload of good gardening information and the addition of inspiring display gardens.

Now in its 18th year, the Spring Garden Show shouldn’t be confused with the similar sounding but clumsy home and garden shows at the convention center and elsewhere that offer very little “garden” and lots of people selling everything you don’t need. At the Spring Garden Show you won’t find anybody selling spas, blenders or kitchen cabinets. This show is all about gardening, and it’s completely free to attend.

When you go, here are a few tips that might make your visit more enjoyable.

If you’re a plant collector, start off on the third floor. Rarities abound here. If you cherish unusual tropical plants, like plumeria, ginger, banana and heliconia then head right to Aloha Tropicals and talk to Andy Zuckowich — he’s the king. If you still have money in your pocket, head to the other end of the same floor and talk to legendary plants man Gary Hammer at Viveros Tropicales. Last year I snagged from Hammer a rare Strobilanthus gossypinus, and several unusual forms of hymenocallis, eucrosia, hippeastrum and zephyranthes.

If, after Aloha and Viveros, you still have a few dollars left then stop by Monalisa’s Plants (on the second floor). Last year, I fell for a blue ginger here. The prices are good at all three of these booths, but the highlight is the selection of unusual plants grown by legitimate, reputable and knowledgeable people.

If you’re the type that wants to learn everything you can about a particular group of plants then you may want to spend your whole weekend at the show. Plant societies and their strong contingent of experts are well represented here, including the Orange County Rose Society, American Clematis Society, California Native Plant Society, International Fern Society, American Begonia Society, Saddleback Valley Bromeliad Society, South Coast Plumeria Society, Southern California Iris Society, Tustana African Violet Society and Epiphyllum Society. If you still haven’t learned all there is to know about California gardening then stop at the University of California Master Gardeners booth. There, you’ll learn the rest.

The schedule of speakers is about as good as it gets. Today’s speakers include two renowned rosarians, Keith Zary, the head hybridizer at Jackson and Perkins; and Clair Martin, curator of roses at the Huntington Gardens. At 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Pat Welsh, the queen of Southern California gardening, will speak on pruning. Three hours later, Tony Kienitz, author of the book, “The Year I Ate My Yard,” will talk about growing an edible organic garden. Several other terrific seminars are available throughout the next three days of the show, including my friends John Schoustra (geraniums), Steve Goto (tomatoes) and John Bishop (tropicals).

No matter what your gardening passion, you won’t want to miss the Southern California Spring Garden Show at South Coast Plaza. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. More details are available at www.springgardenshow.com .

ASK RON

I want to grow several unusual varieties of fruits. Let’s start with an unusual lime and a blood orange. Any suggestions?

CHUCK

Santa Ana

If you want a very unusual lime, try a fingered lime. This Australian species is very unlike any lime you are familiar with. The fruit is oblong, more like a small pickle with pink-red flesh. It is a delicacy, certainly unusual and grows well in Orange County. Unfortunately, blood oranges are generally disappointing in coastal Orange County. We don’t have a hot enough or long enough summer for them to color well. They are better in the Central Valley or at least the Inland Empire. If you still want to try, look for the variety Torroco. It’s your best bet.

your toughest gardening questions, and the expert nursery staff at Roger’s Gardens will come up with an answer. Please include your name, phone number and city, and limit queries to 30 words or fewer. E-mail stumpthegardener@ rogersgardens.com, or write to Plant Talk at Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.