Green Gardens Tour to focus on water-saving landscapes in Santa Monica and West Los Angeles

In keeping with the spirit of Earth Day, Saturday's Green Gardens Tour, "Gardening With Intent: Water Management," will focus on six water-saving landscapes in Santa Monica and West Los Angeles. Look for edible gardens, solar-powered pools, California natives and Mediterranean plants, a self-sustaining pond and savvy solutions for rainwater runoff in this self-guided tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance tickets are $40. On the day of the tour, maps and $50 tickets will be available at 1027 Princeton St. in Santa Monica. Proceeds will benefit the Virginia Avenue Project, a nonprofit after-school arts program for kids. Van service is available by reservation. Please call (310) 264-4224 or visit www.virginiaavenueproject.org.

TODAY

Garden design:

Landscape designer Heather Lenkin of Pasadena-based Lenkin Design discusses the use of space, color and texture to create individualized landscapes. A tour of her home garden will follow next Thursday. Part of the series Thursday Garden Talks With Lili Singer. 9:30 a.m. to noon. , 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. $20. Registration: (626) 821-4623.

Spring garden show:

The 19th annual Southern California Spring Garden Show features display gardens, lectures and a garden shop. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. Free. (714) 435-2160, www.springgardenshow.com.

AIA panel:

At the next Rethinking L.A. gathering of the L.A. chapter of the American Institute of Architects, city development officials, including Emily Gabel-Luddy of the city's Urban Design Studio and Peter Frankfurt of Imaginary Forces will discuss how enlightened policy and design vision can shape a city renewal. 5 to 7 p.m. Leo A Daly office, 550 S. Hope St., 27th floor. Free. Limited seating. Open to the public with RSVP to Will@aialosangeles.org.

FRIDAY

Alt Build conference:

Workshops and panel discussions covering sustainable design and building, including landscaping, solar power and environmentally friendly remodeling, will be featured at the AltBuild Expo. Friday (to the trade) and Saturday (trade and public), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica. In addition, a self-guided green building tour will be held Sunday. Free. (310) 390-2930, www.altbuildexpo.com.

Home show:

The Home Show & Eco Expo features hundreds of exhibitors offering the latest products, services and ideas for the home and garden in a central marketplace. Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall (Kentia). $4 to $6.75. (818) 557-2950, www.thehomeshow.com.

SATURDAY

E-Waste roundup:

Recycle computers, monitors, printers, stereos, TVs, cellphones and other electronic devices at this E-Waste Roundup in Torrance. No furniture, hazardous waste or kitchen appliances accepted. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Toyota Way, Lot J, between Van Ness and Western avenues. (877) PC-Recycle or www.socalrecyclers.com.

SUNDAY

Open Days tour:

The Garden Conservancy's annual Open Days Program of self-guided tours in Pasadena includes six private gardens. Rain or shine. No reservations required. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors may begin the tour at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, 125 S. Grand Ave., Pasadena, where maps and discounted admission tickets will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. $5 per garden. (888) 842-2442, www.opendaysprogram.org..

Capistrano gardens:

Five private gardens in San Juan Capistrano will be open for the tour, which benefits the nonprofit Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance tickets, $20. On tour day, $25. For details, (949) 240-1735 or www.capoanimalrescue.com

CONTINUING

Pasadena Showcase:

This year's Pasadena Showcase House of Design is a 14-room, five-level Spanish Colonial Revival style home built in 1922 in La Cañada Flintridge. Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Through May 18. $30 to $40. Shuttle service available from the Rose Bowl. Ticket information, www.pasadenashowcase.org or (714) 442-3872.

House of Design:

The 2008 Philharmonic House of Design features 23 design spaces created by 27 designers from the Orange County chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. The 8,500-square-foot Spanish-style custom home in the Crystal Cove community of Newport Coast includes an artist's loft, billiards room, infinity pool, outdoor kitchen, loggias and coastal and harbor views. Through May 18. $35. An individual House Pass allowing unlimited entries, $45. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, with extended hours Thursdays until 9 p.m. (714) 840-7542; www.asidocc.org.

AIA exhibit:

The "2x8: SKIN" exhibition sponsored by the Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Architects showcases exemplary student work from architecture and design institutions throughout California. Ends today. Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Free. www.aialosangeles.org.

Architecture:

"Inside Architecture: Selections From the Permanent Collection" brings together drawings, paintings and photos by Kirsten Everberg, David Hockney, Candida Höfer, Luisa Lambri, Richard Prince, Paul Sietsema, Thomas Struth and Paul Winstanley. Through May 25. MOCA at the Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Free. (310) 289-5223.

"L.A. Skies":

Large-scale photographs of L.A. landmarks by photographer Jim McHugh. Through Friday. Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., Suite B208, West Hollywood. Free. Closing reception tonight from 6 to 8:30. For show hours, call (323) 466-2890.

Maloof exhibition:

"Sam Maloof: Essence of the Handmade" celebrates the master woodworker's life and work with a display of his furniture, photographs, models and drawings. Through May 17. Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum, Cal State San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway. Free. (909) 537-7373.

Neutra tours

:

Richard and Dion Neutra's VDL Research House II, managed by Cal Poly Pomona's College of Environmental Design, will be opened to the public 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. 2300 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles. $10. www.neutra-vdl.org.

Rose exhibit:

"La Rose Impériale: The Development of Modern Roses" showcases 110 rare illustrated books, including a first edition of Pierre-Joseph Redouté's "Les Roses" (1817-24). Through Monday. Boone Gallery, Huntington Library, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. $6 to $20. (626) 405-2100.

Shulman show:

"Julius Shulman: Palm Springs" marks the 70th anniversary of the photographer's first assignment in the desert area. About 150 photographs capture structures designed by architects such as Richard Neutra, John Lautner, A. Quincy Jones, Paul Williams, E. Stewart Williams, Albert Frey, William Cody and Donald Wexler. Through May 4. Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive. $5 to $12.50. (760) 322-4800, www.psmuseum.org.

-- 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.