Home and garden events in Southern California

TODAY

Hearst gardens:

Hearst Castle historian Victoria Kastner will lecture on the Central Coast landmark’s gardens. Talk will be followed by a tour of gardens at a 1919 Reginald Johnson Mediterranean Revival estate in the San Rafael Hills. 1 p.m. Art Center College of Design, Ahmanson Auditorium, 1700 Lida St., Pasadena. $25. (626) 793-3334, Ext. 52, www.gamblehouse.org.

Venice architecture:

In conjunction with the Venice Art Walk & Auctions on Sunday, today Dwell hosts Art & Architecture Tour: New Wave of Venice Architecture. The self-guided walk highlights the work of architects, including Dennis Gibbens, Chihlung Shih and Barbara Bestor. Noon to 4 p.m. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. at Westminster School, 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. $100 per person, includes cocktail reception. www.venicefamilyclinic.org.

SUNDAY

Huntington sale:

Thousands of rare plants will be offered at the Huntington Botanical Gardens’ 35th annual spring plant sale. Includes varieties that are hard to find at nurseries. 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. (626) 405-2100 or www.huntington.org.

Green festival:

The Healthy Living Festival sponsored by the nonprofit garden and nutrition education group GrowingGreat will feature more than 60 exhibitors related to eco-friendly gardening, water conservation, feng shui and cooking. Noon to 4 p.m. 13th Street Plaza near Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach. Free. www.growinggreat.org.

Epiphyllum show:

Epiphyllum Society of America will host a show and sale of cuttings and rooted epiphyllum, or orchid cactus. Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, free with regular admission of $5 to $7. www.arboretum.org.

THURSDAY

Orchid auction:

The San Gabriel Valley Orchid Hobbyists will host an auction of orchids featuring plants from members and professional growers. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Auction begins at 7 p.m. Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Free. (626) 335-6641, www.arboretum.org.

FRIDAY

Garden tour:

UC Cooperative Extension will host a gardening workshop that focuses on growing vegetables in small spaces and containers. Participants take home resource information, seed packets and baby plants. 3 to 4 p.m. UC Cooperative Extension, Community Demonstration Kitchen, 4800 E. Cesar Chavez Ave., Los Angeles. Workshop is free, but space is limited. Reservations: (323) 260-3348, gjmitche@ucdavis.edu.

CONTINUING

Pasadena Showcase:

Closes Sunday. Twenty-five interior designers transform a 1917 Italian Renaissance Revival style home at the 2009 Pasadena Showcase House of Design. Entry hours: 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. today and Sunday. Not handicapped accessible. No children under 12. Parking and shuttle service available at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. $30 to $40. (626) 578-8500, www.PasadenaShowcase.org.

-- Lisa Boone Please send listings at least three weeks in advance to home@latimes.comor to the Home section, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., CA 90012.