Jim McHugh photography exhibition at the Pacific Design Center

CAPTURING the landscapes and skies of Los Angeles using classic Polaroid media, photographer Jim McHugh presents a series of new works that redefines local landmarks -- hotels, apartments and civic buildings. In "LA Skies," which opened Wednesday at the Pacific Design Center, McHugh offers a vision of a mythical city of our dreams. He combines analog and digital technologies to create large-format prints. The exhibition runs through April 11 at the PDC's Blue Building, 8687 Melrose Ave., Suite B208, West Hollywood. For show hours, please call (323) 466-2890.

TODAY

A tea primer:

Beatrice Hohenegger, author of "Liquid Jade: The Story of Tea From East to West," discusses how tea made from Camellia sinensis became the most-consumed beverage in the world. Part of the series "Thursday Garden Talks With Lili Singer." 9:30 a.m. to noon. Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. $20 at the door. (626) 821-4623.

FRIDAY

Descanso spring plant sale:

This year's offerings include rooted cuttings from the Descanso rose garden, warm-weather lilacs, native plants as well as edibles from the 2008 Edible Estates demonstration garden. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. Free with garden admission. (818) 949-7980.



SATURDAY

Poppies:

Theodore Payne Foundation's Poppy Day celebrates spring with free workshops, special vendors and discounts on plants. Workshops include "Butterflies of Southern California" at 11 a.m.; "All About Leaves" at noon; and "A Native Cutting Garden" at 1 p.m. Theodore Payne Foundation, 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. www.theodorepayne.org.



SUNDAY

Great Rosarians of the World talk:

Hybridizer William J. Radler, creator of the popular Knock Out series of disease-resistant roses, will be this year's honoree and guest speaker. 2 p.m. See complete details at www.greatrosarians.com. $30. Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. For more information, e-mail cmartin @huntington.org or call (626) 405-3507.

Pasadena home tour:

Pasadena's many examples of fine midcentury residential architecture will be on display in "Postwar Pasadena," a self-guided tour of eight privately owned homes, including the King residence and Rapor, both designed by Buff & Hensman. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $32 to $36 in advance, $40 on the day of the tour. For more information, visit www.pasadenaheritage.org. or call (626) 441-6333.

Composting lesson:

Silver Lake Farms' springtime series of workshops continues with "The Stuff of Life: Composting and Vermicomposting" taught by vermicomposter Chris Jung. 3 to 5 p.m. $45. Registration required. Visit www.silverlakefarms.com or call (323) 578-4820.

--

Lisa Boone

Please send listings at least three weeks in advance to home@latimes.com or to the Home section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.