February Events at Descanso Gardens

Camellias—more camellias than at any other place in North America—decorate the winter landscape at Descanso Gardens. This 20-acre Camellia Forest attracts visitors all winter long—and never more than in February. But that’s not all that’s happening in this most beautiful month.

Unless noted, events are free with Gardens admission. All fees include Garden admission.

Don’t miss the annual Camellia Festival Feb. 24-25.

Thursday, Feb. 1: GreenSpeak with Warren Techentin—7 to 9 p.m.

Noted architect and educator Warren Techentin will inaugurate a new “environmental discourse” series at Descanso with an examination of “Infrastructure of Landscape in Los Angeles.” He will talk about evaluating the quality of open space and master planning of existing and new buildings in Los Angeles. GreenSpeak is a new Descanso program taking serious looks at mankind’s role in a changing environment—an exploration of ways to maintain and improve the quality of the world in which we live.

Fee: $20 ($18 for members of Descanso Gardens and the Los Angeles Forum.) Walk-in space is not always available. To register call (818) 949-7980.

Wednesday, Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day Dinner—6 or 7 p.m.

Camellias and candlelight will grace this romantic three-course Valentine’s Day Dinner at Descanso’s historic Boddy House. Reservations may be made after Jan. 1 by calling Patina at (818) 790-3663. The per-person price is $60 ($55 for Descanso members.)

Saturday, Feb. 17: Secrets of the Italian Renaissance Garden—10 a.m. to noon

Author Jan Smithen will use a slide-illustrated lecture to lead a “tour” of six Renaissance gardens. Seeing and understanding underlying secrets of these gardens will offer a look at the heart of Renaissance culture.

Ms. Smithen, a retired teacher of the art and science of gardening at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, now writes and lectures about the gardening life. Her book, “Sun Drenched Gardens: In the Mediterranean Style,” is a favorite among gardeners. She has led garden tours to England, Italy and France.

Fee: $20 ($18 members.) Walk-in space is not always available. To register call (818) 949-7980.

Tuesdays, Feb. 20 & 27: Heirloom Vegetables—7 to 9 p.m.

Celebrate the heritage of plants by planting heirloom vegetables. In this two-session class at Descanso’s Sycamore Science Center, Tony Kienitz will explain how to grow them. From tomatoes to tamarinds, he will cover every aspect of turning one’s backyard into a living, breathing, interactive food museum.

Kienitz is the owner of Vegetare, Edible Landscaping and author of “The Year I Ate My Yard.” His work has been featured on Home Wizards Radio, on HGTV and in The Los Angeles Times.

Fee: $35 ($25 members.) Walk-in space is not always available. To register, call (818) 949-7980.

Thursday, Feb. 22: Joint Meeting of Camellia Societies—7:30 p.m.

The Southern California Society and Pacific Camellia Society will meet together in this prelude to Descanso Gardens’ annual Camellia Festival. Amateur gardeners may bring camellia blossoms for experts to identify, take a chance to win plants and learn about this beautiful winter flower.

Weekend, Feb. 24-25: Camellia Forest Tours—12:30 p.m.

Descanso’s lead horticulturist Wayne Walker will guide narrated tours of the largest camellia collection in North America at 12:30 p.m. each day. Visitors will meet Walker at the Center Circle. The tours are free with Gardens admission.

Weekend, Feb. 24-25: Southern California Camellia Council Show

Hundreds of camellia blooms will be on display and experts will be on hand to answer questions at this annual show from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25.

Saturday, Feb. 24: Camellia Culture and Care Lecture—2 p.m.Camellia growers will explain how to grow outstanding camellias with proper care.

Sunday, Feb. 25: Camellia Pruning Demonstration—2 p.m.

Bigger, better camellias grow on well-pruned bushes. A camellia expert will demonstrate the fine art of cutting branches for the best blooms.

Mondays, Feb. 26 to June 11: Landscape Irrigation—5:30 to 10 p.m.

This college-credit course will teach how to design and install turf and ornamental irrigation systems. Dan Salvatori of Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) will teach the basics in design techniques, sprinkler system components and hydraulic principles used in nursery management, interior design, residential and commercial landscaping. Special emphasis will be given to water conservation and incorporating controlled-flow technologies. Students must attend the first class session. There will be no class March 12.

Fees: Separate payments required. $30 payable to Descanso. For the Mt. SAC tuition amount call (818) 949-7980. Registration requested by Feb. 16. Walk-in space is not always available. To register call 949-7980.

Tuesdays, Feb. 27 to June 12: Floral Design II—6 to 10 p.m.This class, taught by Ray Tucker, focuses on contemporary and European design and emphasizes creativity, self-expression and professional floral design techniques. Students will complete and take home a beautiful, professional-quality arrangement each week. Floral Design I is a prerequisite for this adult education class offered by Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC). Students must attend the first class session. There will be no class March 13.

Fees: Three separate payments required. $30 payable to Descanso; $10 tuition, plus a $165 materials fee payable to Mt. SAC. Registration requested by Feb. 16. Walk-in space is not always available. To register call 949-7980.

Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, near the interchange of the #2 and #210 freeways. The Gardens are open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily except Christmas Day. Parking is free. Admission fees are $7 for adults; $5 for seniors and students; $2 for children 5 to 12, and free for members and children 5 and younger. For information call (818) 949-4200.