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July 2026
Monthly Meeting
NEXT GENERAL MEETING: Saving Rare Plants - Advanced Horticulture on the California Islands, With Kevin Alison, July 18, In-Person, Oasis, Rancho Bernardo, 1:30p -3:30p
Kevin Alison The islands of California are biological hotspots for uniquely rare and endangered species. But, what do you do if traditional methods of propagation fail or are unreliable? This presentation will cover advanced horticultural techniques to overcome challenges and prevent extinction. Kevin Alison serves as the Native Plant Manager for Catalina Island, where he leverages his expertise in conservation, restoration, and horticulture to prevent extinction. Kevin s
Jul 1
Articles
GARDEN SURROUNDINGS: Enchanting Beach Access Brimming with Color!
By Francesca Filanc, for Let’s Talk Plants! July 2026. Enchanting Beach Access Brimming with Color! Photo credit: Francesca Filanc. Enchanting Beach Access Brimming with Color! Recently, I had the pleasure to take a trip up to the Bay Area to be with my daughter, Erica and her kids for a long weekend. We rented an Airbnb. We have rented this beautiful home before. The home is just a stone’s throw from having your feet in the sand. Photo credit: Francesca Filanc. As one approa
Jul 1
GARDEN SURROUNDINGS: June Is Busting Out All Over!
By Francesca Filanc, for Let’s Talk Plants! June 2026. June is busting out all over! Photo credit: Francesca Filanc. June Is Busting Out All Over! With the advent of climate change, we need to “roll with the punches” so to speak. This year the ‘First Love’ Gardenia had its first blossom of the season on May 1, and the magnolia tree, which used to bloom at the end of June and all through July, was also blooming on the first of May. We had an extremely hot March. The hottest Ma
Jun 1
GARDEN SURROUNDINGS: Dear Mama…
By Francesca Filanc, for Let’s Talk Plants! May 2026. Francesca Filanc and her mother Pat Welsh. Photo credit: Francesca Filanc. My garden is on a Mother's Day tour this month and I was asked to write about my mother, Pat Welsh, for the tour pamphlet. Unfortunately, this was too long for the pamphlet, so this is my article this month, a tribute to my mother, a love letter to her for being such a wonderful mother, and I feel I owe my talents and my passions to my wonderful mot
May 1
GARDEN SURROUNDINGS: Alive With Purple In The Garden
By Francesca Filanc, for Let’s Talk Plants! April 2026. Photo credit: Francesca Filanc. Alive With Purple in the Garden “April showers bring May flowers” is an old adage, but nowadays things are different. With the advent of climate change that many people predicted would happen including the King of England years ago, when he was a young Prince, advocating against fossil fuels, and for growing vegetables organically, which he has done in his own gardens, and working to make
Apr 1
GARDEN SURROUNDINGS: Enjoying Our Pets In The Garden
By Francesca Filanc, for Let’s Talk Plants! March 2026. Prince, a standard poodle, on the patio by a potted pink jasmine. Photo credit: Francesca Filanc. Enjoying Our Pets in the Garden “March comes in like a lion and moves out like a lamb” This is an old expression about the weather for the month of March. March, starting out blustery, windy and stormy and ending calm, birds chirping, with flowers beginning to bloom. But with climate change and also living in Southern Califo
Mar 1
GARDEN SURROUNDINGS: Birds Of A Feather
By Francesca Filanc, for Let’s Talk Plants! February 2026. Encouraging and Enjoying Songbirds in the Garden Movie still from Field of Dreams, dvdbeaver.com “If you build it, they will come.” Do you remember the movie Field of Dreams? The lead actor Kevin Costner built a baseball diamond in the middle of a cornfield, and if I remember the film correctly, it was to encourage baseball players to play baseball and then people came to watch. When I moved to this property 10 ½ yea
Feb 1
GARDEN SURROUNDINGS: Happy New Year In The Garden
By Francesca Filanc, for Let’s Talk Plants! January 2026. WOW! Can you believe that it is already 2026? The new year is a time of renewal spiritually, physically, and can be a new beginning. Many people enjoy writing New Year’s resolutions. I happen to be one of those who enjoys writing down my thoughts from the last year and what I want to accomplish in the new year. But I notice as I get older that it’s more my spiritual thoughts moving forward, but the old adage of exercis
Jan 1
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