Garden Calendar

Pruning a rose is not a black art, though it sometimes seems so. Watching someone prune roses can take the mystery out of this yearly winter task. You can do this at one of several rose-pruning demonstrations scheduled during the first few weeks of January. Here are the ones we know about:

* Descanso Gardens, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m., 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge, (818) 952-4401. Adults, $5.

* Flowerdale Nurseries, Jan. 8 and 15, at 11 a.m. at 2800 N. Tustin Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 633-9200. Also, at 2:30 p.m. at 2700 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, (714) 754-6661. Free.

* Fullerton Arboretum, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m., Associated Road at Yorba Linda Boulevard, Fullerton, (714) 278-3579. $7.

* Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden, Jan. 8, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This demonstration will be held at a private South Bay residence. Call (310) 371-8015 to reserve space and get address. $10.

* Rose Hills Memorial Park, Jan. 8, 1-3 p.m., 3888 S. Workman Mill Road, Whittier, (562) 699 0921. Free.

* Sherman Gardens, Jan. 8 at 9:30 a.m., 2647 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, (949) 673-2261. Free.

* South Coast Botanic Garden, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m., 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula, (310) 544-1948. Adults, $5.

* Armstrong Garden Centers, Jan. 15 and 22 at 10 a.m., at all 33 locations. Call (800) 557-5268 for the location of the nearest store. Free.