Bart has been growing and studying our native salvias for more than 25 years. Find out about the best species and named selections of salvias in this illustrated lecture that will highlight how to best use and care for them in your garden. Bart is Director of Special Projects at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden and co-author of "California Native Plants for the Garden" (Cachuma Press, 2005).

Sign up now for the class while there is still space! Fee: $35 members, $45 non-members.

Start summer right! This summer solstice, spend some morning hours at Quail Hollow, Ken and Rhonda Gilliland's native garden hideaway. Ken will familiarize you with local birds, basic bird identification skills and which native plants entice birds to your yard. The class will move to the Foundation for the second half, where Ken will lead more observation and discussion on the crucial role of native plants to the survival of birds.

Fee: $35 members. $45 non-members. And bring binoculars if you have them!

Learn from someone else's years of experience -- would that more of life could be that way -- enroll in this fundamental and essential class on basic drip and overhead (micro-spray) irrigation with Bob Galbreath, a certified irrigation designer and Water Resources Specialist (recently retired) for the Environmental Programs Division for the City of Santa Monica. Bob will reveal the latest technologies in irrigation, so prepare to be dazzled and thrilled. (Isn't it lovely when technology is put to a good use?!)

Fee: $20 members. $30 non-members.

Attend an illustrated lecture and book-signing by botanist, writer and photographer Stephen Ingram, who will be at the Foundation to promote his one-of-a-kind book on, what else? cacti, agaves and yuccas. This eagerly-awaited book features more than 60 species with detailed text and 262 color photos, watercolors and range maps. More than a field guide, this beautiful book examines the natural history, origins, ecology and conservation plus practical horticultural advice for cultivation of these succulents. This engaging and substantive reference book can be enjoyed by novice and expert alike. This is a great gift for the plant lover who thinks that he or she already has every reference and bubble-gum-for-the-eyeballs plant book available. Meet the author and hear about the splendid result of his travels over more than 30,000 miles of back country roads!

Fee: $10.00 members, $15.00 non-members.

Learn a multitude of ways to kill your lawn and weeds more effectively than by simply turning off your sprinklers. Steve will give you all the facts you need to liberate yourself and your yard from the enslaving needs of your lawn. Free your soil for flowers, shrubs and trees or, for those afficionados of Zen gardens, the simple beauty of raked pebbles.

Fee: $20.00 members. $30 non-members.

July 19, from 10 - noon, The TPF Skinny on Seeds with Kathy Parenteau, Seed Room Supervisor. All summer long, Kathy is busy with seeds -- their collection, processing, storage and documentation. In this class, you'll venture out over the TPF grounds with Kathy to collect whatever seeds are in season, and then return to the Seed Room to learn about the next stages of the process through hands-on experience. Kathy has a wealth of stories and information to share about her sojourns with seeds. And don't forget -- seeds make a fine "green" gift ! Fee: $20 members. $30 non-members.

July 12, 10-1 p.m., Native Plant Horticulture with Lili Singer, TPF's own Special Projects Coordinator. Let Lili lead you through the basics of gardening with California's native flora. You'll learn why natives are valuable for saving water and stopping species loss, and be tutored in the basics of plant communities, planting techniques, establishment, irrigation, pruning and ongoing maintenance. Recommended for beginners and as a prerequisite to our California Native Plant Garden Design course. Be ready for a spot in a Design course when it opens -- take this class now! Fee: $35 members. $45 non- members.