Forthcoming Events

23 to 26 September – Greater Pasadena area, California
Gardening Under Mediterranean Skies VIII: Style & Whimsy in the Sustainable Garden, a Pacific Horticulture Society symposium co-sponsored by the MGS
Focused on the lighthearted side of gardening in harmony with our mediterranean climate, this event offers a remarkable variety of garden tours, lectures, workshops and panel discussions. Each day and certain events are priced separately, allowing participants to attend any one or more days and to tailor their participation to suit themselves. Thursday, September 23 offers a choice of all-day tours and a panel discussion and dinner. On each of the next three days, three speakers (different each day) will show us how to increase the fun and style in our gardens, we'll enjoy a lunch in the open air and visit three exceptional private gardens (different each day) demonstrating sustainable garden practices. Other appealing elements will make Style & Whimsy in the Sustainable Garden a highly rewarding experience. This event is selling out quickly, so don't delay in registering. Prices start at $135/day. For complete information and a registration form, click here or send an e-mail.

Online Community for our Branch

View of Morro Bay, California
November 2004

The Central California Branch of the Mediterranean Garden Society has formed a new online community on "Yahoo!Groups," to facilitate communication with members of their branch. Our "Yahoo!Group" name is:

"Central CA Mediterranean Garden Society"

This web site will basically function as an "Online bulletin board." It will allow registered members to post messages to the whole group at once, share photos and files, maintain a group calendar, and more. It should prove to be an invaluable tool for planning and promoting the activities within our group. Members may personalize their settings to receive "Individual emails" (all posts), a "Daily Digest" (1 email a day maximum summarizing all posts that day), only posts designated as "Special Notices," or "No Email" (They can still view any messages when desired by visiting the group web site). Membership will be open to any member of the Mediterranean Garden Society. To register (free, and it takes just a few minutes), please follow this link, and click on "Join this Group!"

Past Events

Wildflowers of the California Central Coast
Unlike the past few years during which we experienced drought conditions, the California Central Coast received abundant rain during the 2009-2010 winter season. As a result, the local landscape became lush and the wildflowers plentiful.

Since April 2009, I have been regularly hiking two or three times a week, not only for exercise but also to study and learn about our native plants and wildflowers. The photos you see on this page are just a small sample of what I saw on these hikes, and all were taken in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.

To see these photos and many more with descriptions including plant identification, please visit Central Coast Wildflowers and Hiking in SLO County.

Michelle C. Torres-Grant.