Get to Know and Grow: Buckwheat | Sold Out

Details:

With over 125 species native to our state, the botanic richness of buckwheat is unrivaled here in California. From chaparral slopes to coastal bluffs, buckwheats have carved out an ecological niche in almost every habitat in our state. Their attractive sprays of flowers are pollinator magnets, drying to attractive seedheads that are adored by birds. Buckwheats are also one of the most highly favored landscaping plants in the native plant trade. From garden focal points to cascading groundcovers that curb erosion, they are a versatile group of plants. Join us as we get to “know” the unique habitats that buckwheats call home and learn to “grow” them in the garden.

The class will meet in the Garden’s Library for a presentation, followed by a walk through the Garden’s Living Collection. It is highly recommended that participants wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring a hat and/or sunscreen and a water bottle. Although the Garden is dog-friendly, participants are asked to not bring their dog(s) to this class.

If you have questions about the class or need to cancel your reservation, please contact the Education Department: registrations@sbbotanicgarden.org or 805-682-4726, ext. 102.

Pricing:

Garden Members and Students: $25

General Public: $40

About the Instructors:

Christina Varnava studied botany and received a Master’s of Science from Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden and Claremont Graduate University. For her master’s research she worked on a floristic study of the Upper Sespe Creek watershed in the Los Padres National Forest (Ventura County, CA), This project gave her invaluable experience with plant identification and an abiding love for the chaparral habitats of Southern California. Christina is the Living Collections Curator at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. She supports the Living Collection by acquiring new plants and manages a database with nearly a century of records on thousands of plants in the Living Collection. These records are the key to unlocking the unique stories of the plants in the Garden and they also support the vital research and conservation of California native plants.

Alejandro Lemus was born and raised in Los Angeles. He has experience working in habitat restoration, horticulture and education. As the Garden’s Horticultural Educator, Alejandro develops and implements horticulture programming for professional landscapers and residential gardeners. Having spent many years working in propagation and retail nurseries, Alejandro is passionate about growing native plants for conservation and informing the public of the benefits and beauty of habitat gardening.