Inspiring and educating San Francisco South Bay and Peninsula plant enthusiasts since 1963
UPCOMING SPEAKERS & EVENTS
Join us for monthly Western Hort programs designed to inform, educate and inspire the dedicated plant lover.
​
Meetings are held 9 times a year on the second Wednesday of the month and feature a lecture and slide presentation by a guest horticultural specialist. Each program also includes a member-led discussion and photos of unusual plants.
​
In-person meetings, will be held at the Garden House in Shoup Park, 400 University Ave, Los Altos.
Located near Lincoln Ave.
In-person meetings often include a sale of diverse plant varieties donated by members and local nurseries as well as books, seeds, tools and other horticultural items on occasion. All are welcome!
Our Upcoming May Meeting will be In-Person in the Garden House at Shoup Park .
400 University Ave., Los Altos.
If you enjoy the talks given at our meetings and want to help the Western Horticultural Society sustain our program, you might like to sponsor one of our speakers! Your donation helps cover the costs of hosting a speaker and we will note your name as sponsor in our newsletter. You can choose the month or speaker of your choice or perhaps you have a speaker you would like to propose? Contact Leslie Dean lesliekdean@sonic.net about donations or questions.
May 8th, 2024, 7:30pm,
​
Gardening for Habitat With Native Plants
With Arvind Kumar
​
Why do we garden? Is it only for beauty and to enhance the curb appeal of houses?
Or does the garden also play a role in the local ecology? More and more people are coming
to realize that our yards can provide sustenance to wildlife, from butterflies to birds and more, without sacrificing aesthetics.
A yard landscaped with well-chosen native plants can not only look good but also provide unparalleled habitat value.
Come to this talk to learn the basics of habitat gardening and which native plants
in our area are particularly suited for attracting birds and butterflies.
A plant list will be available.
​
A software engineer by training, Arvind Kumar has been growing native plants in his home garden
in San Jose for 22 years.
He coordinates volunteer workdays at the 2-acre Native Garden in Lake Cunningham Park.
He is a board member and former president of California Native Plant Society
(Santa Clara Valley Chapter).