It is the beginning of a new year.  Are you planning a new garden landscape?  Do you know there are many species of California native plants that you can grow to make a beautiful garden to enjoy? Native plants are plants that evolved in an area before modern humans or their animals wandered through.  

California is a distinctive state with a variety of over 4,800 species of beautiful native plants.  The King Library has invited Rebecca Schoenenberger, the principal at California Nativescapes, a design, installation, and maintenance landscaping company to give a presentation.  She will introduce several easy-to-grow native plants for your garden.  

This program is sponsored by the Friends of King Library. No reservation is required.  All ages are welcome.  Please come and enjoy this special informative event.

Date & Time:  Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, 2:00 - 3:30 PM

Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library,Room 225

Address: 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose

Contact:   Leslie Tanaka at 1-408-808-2173 for questions

Are you new to native plant gardening? Do you want to include drought-tolerant, low-maintenance native plants in your garden, but don’t know where to start?  Join representatives of the California Native Plant Society for an informative program at the following libraries.  Learn about easy-to-grow native plants (trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals) for the home garden that will not only look beautiful but also help you conserve water, energy, effort, and money.

Sunday, Feb. 5 1:30 pm Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library  Room 557

Wednesday, Feb. 8 7:00 pm Cambrian Branch Library

Thursday, Feb. 16 4:00 pm Joyce Ellington Branch Library

For more information on gardening with California native plants try Native treasures: Gardening with the Plants of California and Gardening with a Wild Heart: Restoring California's Native Landscapes at Home.

Four years ago I discovered the Going Native Garden Tour and was inspired to redesign my front yard to feature California native plants.  If the idea of waterwise, low maintenance, and bird and butterfly gardening appeals to you, sign up on the California Native Plant Society, Santa Clara Valley Chapter's website for their upcoming April 17th garden tour. It's a great opportunity to peek into expert gardener's front and back yards and to get advice on plant selection and growing techniques. Once you're inspired to try native plants, checkout the SJPL's collection of California native plant books, buy some new plants, and grab your shovel!