Founded 1994
Let's Talk Plants!

Most months, the San Diego Horticultural Society features a garden for a private tour by society members.


  • This is an opportunity to visit a beautiful garden, take a self-paced garden tour, and socialize with other society members.
  • If you have or know of a garden that would be a suitable for sharing please email Karen England.
  • Due to space constraints, the number of attendees may be limited. 
  • Advance registration is required and limited to current members.   
  • If not a member, you can join online at anytime.

Upcoming Sharing Gardens

    • Sat, October 04, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    • Fallbrook - Registration Opens Sept 20
    Registration is closed

    Interested in exploring some unique and fascinating plants in a stunning setting?

    We're excited to kick off the return of SDHS member only open garden tours with the ever-popular, imaginative, and whimsical Fallbrook garden of Wanda Mallen and Gary Vincent. You'll be astonished by the horticultural paradise they've cultivated.

    As passionate plant collectors, they have grouped various types of plants together, alongside numerous trees and specimens across their two-acre botanical marvel in Fallbrook. This garden showcases wonderful examples of cacti and succulents, palms and cycads, Australian natives, and conifers—all presented with Wanda and Gary's vibrant and artistic flair. Wanda is wonder with wild and creative use of color, while Gary is a master at building creative and fanciful bird houses. The garden is flat and easily accessible, featuring many winding paths through different areas. There are plenty of seating spots to relax and take in the scenery.


    • Sat, October 25, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • La Mesa - Registration Opens Oct 11
    • 50
    Registration is closed

    Just in time for Halloween, visit this pumpkin of a garden.

    The garden is home to garden designer John Beaudry.  The backyard is a sanctuary from the outside world with an arroyo, fountain, Koi pond, flowering perennials, potted cymbidiums and edible landscaping.  There are vegetables, fruit trees and herbs interplanted with ornamental plants. John mediates daily  accompanied by a stature of Quan Yin, the Buddhist goddes of mercy.

    The front has recently been updated with new hardscape and plantings.  Many of the plants came from cuttings of friends. 

    There will 2 times for arrival 10AM and 11AM with spots for 50 attendees at each. 


    • Sat, December 20, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Mission Hills - Registration Opens Dec 6
    • 100
    Registration is closed

    Conclude the year and celebrate the winter solstice with a self-guided tour of Jim Bishop and Scott Borden's hillside garden in Mission Hills. Many of the large aloes and drought-tolerant plants are currently in full bloom.

    Their 1930s Spanish-revival style house and garden in Mission Hills offer views of Mission Valley. Scott and Jim have been cultivating the steep hillside for 24 years. In 2003, they transformed an old, cold swimming pool into a walled garden featuring a stair tower and an outdoor room for entertaining. More recently, rock mosaic paths descend the terraced hillside to a spacious mosaic landing five stories below the house, surrounded by gardens with low-water plants from South Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean, and South America. The front of the house boasts a newly updated succulent and bromeliad garden, along with numerous potted plants in the courtyards and terraces, plus thousands of recycled bottles and found objects throughout the garden.

    Last year's project introduced a large moon arch and opened access to a new section of the garden.

    • Carpooling is recommended
    • Coming later in the day and parking might be easier
    • No pets or children
    • Wear comfortable and closed toes shoes 
    • Probably not the garden for you if you have a fear of heights and/or steps
    • FREE and for Society Members only. You must register to reserve your space
    • Directions are emailed in the registration confirmation message.


    • Sat, January 24, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Escondido - Registration Opens Jan 10, 2026
    • 100
    Registration is closed

    Begin the new year with a visit to Ray and Bonnie Brooks in Escondido. Their garden was a horticultural hit on 2025 garden tour and this an opportunity to visit it in winter.  Ray, the former SDHS treasurer, is also renowned for his woodworking talents.  Their property, spanning over an acre, features a diverse collection of plants from around the globe.  The garden includes a large greenhouse/conservatory filled with numerous plants and a propagation area. Don't miss the Cycad Terraces, which display over 100 cycads both in-ground and in pots.  Take a moment to discover the charm of the Secret Garden, where you can unwind beside a waterfall. This garden has something for everyone! As you explore, you'll encounter other attractions such as dragon trees, waterwise plants, and methods to collect 2,000 gallons of rainwater for the landscape!

    • If parking near the house is full, there may a bit of a walk from your car to the house. Or come later in the day when there are fewer people!
    • Carpooling is recommended.
    • Wear a hat and sun protection.
    • Comfortable shoes for walking recommended. 
    • Handicapped access to the garden is limited.
    • Please no children under 10 or 12. Too many spiny plants.


    • Sat, February 14, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Escondido - Registration Opens Jan 31, 2026
    • 100
    Registration is closed

    Celebrate Valentines Day with a visit to the colorful and romantic 2 acre, Olivenhain garden of Bobbi Hirschkoff. With views to La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe and a gentle slope it provides the foundation of a special garden.  The garden is now over 30 years old and once sunny areas have now become shaded.  The garden is a mixture of plants ranging from drought tolerant to tropical.  Some special features are the lath house, tool shed, koi ponds and numerous pieces of art. 

    • Bobbi will have some of her art available for sale.
    • Wear comfortable walking shoes.
    • Carpooling is recommended.

    This is a Members Only benefit and is free, but you must register to attend. 


Past Shared Gardens

Sat, March 29, 2025 2025 Spring Garden Tour
Sat, April 13, 2024 Spring Garden Tour - Sustainable Beauty
Sat, January 20, 2024 January Sharing Garden
Sun, October 22, 2023 12:30 PM Meet Kyle Icke's Bonsai Trees
Sun, October 22, 2023 Noon Meet Kyle Icke's Bonsai Trees
Sun, October 22, 2023 11:30 am Meet Kyle Icke's Bonsai Trees
Sun, October 22, 2023 11:00 am Meet Kyle Icke's Bonsai Trees
Sat, May 20, 2023 May Open Garden
Sat, March 25, 2023 Spring Garden Tour - Pacific Beach to Solana Beach
Sat, March 26, 2022 Spring Garden Tour - Peaks and Valleys of Poway
Sun, January 02, 2022 January Featured Garden - 2:30 PM
Sun, January 02, 2022 January Featured Garden - 1 PM
Sun, January 02, 2022 January Featured Garden - 11:30
Sun, January 02, 2022 January Featured Garden
Sat, November 20, 2021 November Featured Garden
Sat, November 20, 2021 November Featured Garden
Sat, November 20, 2021 November Featured Garden
Sat, November 20, 2021 November Featured Garden
Sat, November 16, 2019 Grubb & Nadler Nurseries Tour
Sun, June 02, 2019 Birdsong Featured Garden
Sat, April 27, 2019 2019 Spring Garden Tour
Sat, March 02, 2019 Special Event: Documentary Film - Five Seasons: The Gardens Of Piet Oudolf
Fri, March 01, 2019 Special Event: Documentary Film - Five Seasons: The Gardens Of Piet Oudolf
Fri, March 01, 2019 Special Event: Documentary Film - Five Seasons: The Gardens Of Piet Oudolf
Sat, November 10, 2018 November Featured Garden / Studio Sale in Encinitas
Sat, October 20, 2018 October Featured Garden
Sun, July 08, 2018 East West Trees - Nursery Tour
Fri, July 06, 2018 Plant Sale at SDHS Garden at the Fair
Sat, June 16, 2018 June Coffee in the Garden
Sat, May 05, 2018 May Featured Garden
Sat, April 21, 2018 April Featured Garden
Sat, April 07, 2018 2018 Spring Garden Tour
Sun, March 18, 2018 Stars of La La Land: The Gottlieb Native Garden and Getty Center
Sun, January 21, 2018 January Coffee in the Garden
Sat, October 07, 2017 Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast Party
Sat, April 15, 2017 April Featured Garden
Sat, April 08, 2017 2017 Spring Garden Tour
Sat, March 04, 2017 March Featured Garden
Sat, January 21, 2017 January Featured Garden
Sat, October 29, 2016 Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast Party
Sat, July 02, 2016 July Featured Garden
Sat, May 14, 2016 May Featured Garden
Wed, April 20, 2016 A Day at the Huntington
Sat, April 16, 2016 April Featured Garden
Sat, April 02, 2016 2016 Spring Garden Tour
Fri, March 04, 2016 Spring Home/Garden Show Volunteers
Sat, January 16, 2016 January Featured Garden
Sat, October 10, 2015 Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast Party
Fri, June 05, 2015 Volunteer Opening night of the Fair - Wine & Cheese Reception
Sat, May 09, 2015 Staff Our Booth at the Garden Party of the Century
Mon, April 27, 2015 Mulch and Weed Party - Casa del Prado and Timken Museum
Thu, March 19, 2015 Rose planting at Marston House
Sat, March 07, 2015 March Featured Garden
Sun, January 18, 2015 January Featured Garden
Sat, November 15, 2014 November Featured Garden
Sat, October 11, 2014 Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast Party
Sat, September 20, 2014 Designer Succulent Garden
Wed, August 13, 2014 August Featured Garden
Sat, July 19, 2014 July Featured Garden
Sat, May 17, 2014 May Featured Garden
Sat, April 05, 2014 2014 Spring Garden Tour
Fri, March 28, 2014 Bus Tour - Sherman Gardens & Roger's Garden
Sat, February 22, 2014 February Featured Garden - Tour of Olivewood Gardens
Sat, February 22, 2014 February Featured Garden - Tour of Olivewood Gardens
Sat, January 04, 2014 January Featured Garden
Sat, November 02, 2013 November Featured Garden
Sat, October 05, 2013 Volunteer Appreciation Party
Sat, September 21, 2013 September Featured Garden
Sat, August 17, 2013 August Featured Garden
Sat, July 20, 2013 July Featured Garden
Sat, June 29, 2013 June Featured Garden
Sun, May 05, 2013 May Featured Garden
Sat, April 06, 2013 2013 Spring Garden Tour
Tue, March 12, 2013 March Featured Garden
Sat, February 02, 2013 February Featured Garden
Sat, January 26, 2013 January Featured Garden
Sun, November 25, 2012 November Featured Garden
Sat, October 27, 2012 October Featured Garden
Sun, September 09, 2012 September Featured Garden
Sun, August 26, 2012 August Featured Garden
Sat, July 28, 2012 July Featured Garden - Afternoon
Sat, July 28, 2012 July Featured Garden - Morning
Sat, June 16, 2012 June Featured Garden
Sat, May 26, 2012 May Featured Garden
Sun, April 15, 2012 April Featured Garden
Sun, March 18, 2012 March Featured Garden
Sat, February 25, 2012 February Featured Garden
Sat, January 28, 2012 January Featured Garden
Our Mission To inspire and educate the people of San Diego County to grow and enjoy plants, and to create beautiful, environmentally responsible gardens and landscapes.

Our Vision To champion regionally appropriate horticulture in San Diego County.


 





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