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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
MY LIFE WITH PLANTS: I Geraldton Waxflowers
The first half of our Western Australia trip was from Perth south to Albany. The second half was from Perth up to Geraldton. When we visited Western Australia in 2017, we didn’t have enough time to venture north of Perth. We’d wanted to see the famous Geraldton Waxflowers, Chamelaucium uncinatum and maybe even find the […]
Jul 2
MY LIFE WITH PLANTS: I Can Dig A Rainbow
Words and pictures by Jim Bishop, for Let's Talk Plants! May 2026. With the lack of rain for the last month or so, there have been almost no rainbows, so I had to create my own. I finally found a purpose for all the broken and worn-out shovels I’ve accumulated over the years. They were all leaning against a retaining wall in my garden, which I affectionately called the Shovel Graveyard. However, it was located on a seldom-used path, so few people noticed or saw it. History of
May 1
MY LIFE WITH PLANTS: Things Go Boom
Words and pictures by Jim Bishop, for Let's Talk Plants! March 2026. Well, at least I think they went boom. I was asleep when all of the action took place. Following a very long, hot, and dry summer, we experienced an unusually wet fall and early winter. It seems we're experiencing a bit of a weather yo-yo pattern. 2023 was among the wettest winters on record, featuring a rainstorm that delivered more than 6 inches in just 24 hours. This is the most rain I've ever seen here
Mar 1
MY LIFE WITH PLANTS: The Chelsea Australian Garden
By Jim Bishop, for Let's Talk Plants! January 2026. Last September, Scott Borden, Kathy Asher, and I participated in a garden tour in Western Australia. You can read more in my previous blog MY LIFE WITH PLANTS: Western Australia. After the tour, Scott traveled to Sydney, while Kathy and I headed to Melbourne to explore gardens there. During the Western Australia tour, we inquired about any notable Australian gardens near Melbourne. The common recommendation was the Chelsea A
Jan 1
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