San Diego Horticultural Society upcoming events

Board of Directors Application (Mon, June 01, 2026)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Board of Directors Application

We are looking for talented members to serve on the Board of Directors.
The current open board positions:

Volunteer Coordinator
Member at large
Meeting Room Coordinator

About the Board:

The San Diego Horticultural Society is organized as a California public benefit corporation with no voting members. All planning and voting is done by the SDHS Board of Directors volunteers. The board is composed of 15 members exclusive of any ex officio (non-voting) members.
Elections for open board positions occur annually at the September board meeting or via email ballot in advance of the meeting.
Most directors serve a three-year term of office, with vacancies filled by approval of the Board until the next annual election.
Up to three directors serve a one-year term as at-large members. This is a great opportunity to learn more about serving on the board and potential become a 3-year member.
Board meetings are held the third Monday of the month in January, March, May, July, September and November. Meeting time is from 10AM to noon at the San Diego Botanic Garden. Board meeting times and dates are occasionally changed based on board member's schedules.
Board members are required to attend at least 3 of the 6 board meetings.
In addition, board members are expected to participate in as many SDHS events as possible during the year, and to volunteer whenever possible for those events.
While not a requirement, most communications between board members is done via email. We request board members have an email address and read their email on regular basis.

Application Process:

To be considered for next year's board, applications must be submitted prior to August 1st of this year.
Click here to fill out an online application. You must be an SDHS member.
After submitting your application, please use this email link to let us know you have applied.
The Nominating Committee will review your application and contact you.
If you have questions about the board or nominating process click link to send email: Nominating Committee

Mission Hills Sharing Garden (Sat, August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Sat, August 8, 2026

What a treat! It’s rare to find a 2-acre garden in Mission Hills, and the owners of this beautiful property have been very generous in opening their garden to us. We had a sharing garden here in July 2013, when the garden was just 4 years old, and seeing it now you can understand how the original vision has matured and filled in. Landscape designer and contractor Randy Laurie, of Laurie's Landscaping (www.laurieslandscaping.com) is the thoughtful genius who 18 years ago began turning an uninspiring plot into a vibrant garden with a Mediterranean theme in keeping with our climate. He will be on hand during our visit with before photos showing the many challenges he faced. You’ll see dozens of species of succulents and cactus, flowering trees, and softly flowing groundcovers. The garden overlooks Old Town and has magnificent views.

Today, curved gravel pathways meander on ground level, and there is also a trail along the hillside slope that you’re welcome to explore. To create level ground about 300 dump trucks of dirt and sand were brought in, which helped tame the steep slope, filled an existing swale, and provided an excellent environment for the aloes, agaves, succulents, trees and other plants that were brought in. There is a dry riverbed for storm runoff and many vantage points from which to view the garden. In the last few years, the owners have really enjoyed getting more hands on with gardening, adding a few plants here and there, growing their vegetables, even raising bees! Randy and the homeowners continue to maintain and improve the garden. You won’t want to miss this outstanding stroll garden! Read about the 2013 SDHS visit here at https://sdhort.org/event-712153.

Photos courtesy of Randy Laurie.

Please Note:

By attending you agree to waive all claims against SDHS and any entities associated with visiting the garden.

No pets or strollers are allowed in the garden.

Please wear closed-toe shoes.
The SDHS feels that this garden is not handicapped accessible.

Carpooling encouraged. The house is at the bottom of a long, steep driveway; you may drive down, drop your passengers, and return to local streets to park

August 15 Meeting- Holly McMullen (Sat, August 15, 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 20:30:00 GMT

NEXT GENERAL MEETING:

Growing Plant People - Horticulture Programs and Facilities at Southwestern College, With Holly McMullen - August 15

In-Person, Oasis, Rancho Bernardo, 1:30p -3:30p

Holly McMullen is a tenured professor of plant science at Southwestern College and a field biologist with nearly a decade of experience working at the intersection of ecological research, habitat restoration, and higher education. Her expertise centers on the interactions between plants and animals, particularly within Southern California's diverse ecosystems, and she has conducted botanical and wildlife field surveys, managed large-scale restoration projects, and mentored students in applied ecological research. She has authored open-access lab manuals for plant science and identification that integrate field-based methods and encourage observation, inquiry, and ecological awareness. Across her courses in plant science, plant identification, and soil science, she focuses on fostering curiosity and making science accessible through hands-on experiences that connect students to real-world conservation work. In her upcoming presentation, Holly McMullen will give an overview of Southwestern College's horticulture program, including its new facility, and explain how the program's courses and resources work together to give students direct exposure to fieldwork, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

Online registration required -
SD Hort Member (and their guest) registration is FREE and
in-person non-member registration is $15.00

(Consider joining or renewing with the San Diego Horticultural Society for $30.00 and attend this meeting for free.)

The Plant Forum has returned! So please bring some of your plants to share with members... All you have to do is:

1) Bring a cutting or a potted plant to a meeting.

2) BEFORE you leave home, take a minute to print out a slip of paper with the common and scientific name of the plant, where it is native to (if you know that), what city it is growing in, your name, and a couple of sentences about your experience with the plant.

Online registration required
Member (and one guest) registration is FREE
Non-member - join or renew your membership for $30.00 and attend all meetings free.

Bring plants or cuttings to share at the Plant Forum before the meeting.

Social hour and Plant Forum at 1:30 PM
Presentations at 2:00 PM
Location - San Diego Oasis
17170 Bernardo Center Dr. San Diego, CA 92128
In the Innovation Center on the lower level

2027 Spring Garden Tour (Sat, March 20, 2027)

Sat, 20 Mar 2027 16:00:00 GMT

Save the Date!

We are excited to feature gardens in some of San Diego's finest and earliest neighborhoods
Use the "Add to my calendar" link at the top of this page to save the tour date on your calendar.
Ticket sales begin in early 2027
Check back for updates

Recommend a Garden

Send an email to the tour coordinator to recommend a garden in Kensington or North Park area.

Volunteer

In exchange for working a morning or afternoon shift, volunteers receive free entry to the gardens.

TOUR DETAILS

Tour hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Ticket sales are limited this year. All tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Join San Diego Horticultural Society and get $5 off Garden Tour tickets.
Garden addresses and a map to the gardens will be emailed to registrants several days before the tour
This is a self-guided tour and is at your own pace
No pets or strollers are allowed in the gardens
Gardens are not disabled accessible
Tour is held rain or shine. Sorry, no refunds

Become a SDHS Member NOW for Member Pricing