Talks on flowers, gardens and L.A. architecture

MARCH 14

Native plants:

Bruce Pavlik, professor of biology at Mills College and author of “The California Deserts: An Ecological Rediscovery,” lectures on “Ecological Histories of the Desert.” 10 to 11:30 a.m. $20 to $30. That is followed by Louise Gonzalez’s class on how native gardens respond to longer days, shorter nights and warmer temperatures. The class ends with a walk to look at trees, shrubs, perennials and more. Wear comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen. 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. $30 to $40. Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers & Native Plants, 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley. (818) 768-1802, www.theodorepayne.org.

Crestwood Hills:

The Architectural Foundation of Los Angeles hosts this guided tour of homes by A. Quincy Jones, Craig Ellwood, Martin Gelber and Ray Kappe. 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at 1000 Hanley Ave., in the Crestwood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. “Crestwood Hills: Evolution of Green Design,” a conversation with Kappe and Gelber, will follow. $100. (310) 534-8466.

Camellia show:

Experts from the Pacific Camellia Society show off late-blooming camellias. 1 to 4 p.m. March 14; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 15. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. $35 to $40. (818) 949-7980, www.descansogardens.org.

MARCH 18

SCI-Arc series:

Architect Eric Owen Moss lectures on “The Latest and the Latest” with an introduction by architect Thom Mayne. 7 p.m. W.M. Keck Lecture Hall, Southern California Institute of Architecture, 960 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles. Free. (213) 613-2200 Ext. 347, www.sciarc.edu.

African plants:

The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden’s series “Around the World in 127 Acres: The Arboretum’s Plant Collections,” continues with a tour of African plants. 1:30 to 3 p.m. 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. $5 to $7. Registration: (626) 821-4623, www.arboretum.org.

MARCH 19

Sex and flowers:

Jim Folsom, director of the gardens at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, leads a hands-on lab exploring the world of pistils, stamens and flower reproduction. 6 to 9 p.m. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. $35 to $40. (818) 949-7980, www.descansogardens.org.

MARCH 21

Flower arranging:

The design team from Flower Duet will lead a class on how to create monochromatic arrangements with green spider mums, bells of Ireland, calla lilies and more. 10 a.m. to noon. Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. $75 to $85. Registration: (626) 405-2128, www.huntington.org.

Kids event:

The Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers & Native Plants hosts a free afternoon for kids featuring art, native plant lore and science demonstrations including shadow drawing and leaf rubbing. 1 to 3 p.m. Children ages 5 through 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley. Reservations required: (818) 768-1802, www.theodorepayne.org.

Kitchen gardens:

Marta Teegan of Homegrown leads a class on growing an organic kitchen garden in raised beds. The class will cover the basics of soil, water, seed propagation, planting methods and composting. 1 to 3 p.m. $50. To register, e-mail: marta@homegrownlosangeles.com.

CONTINUING

Japan show:

“The Subtle Beauty of Japanese Craft” features metal, textile, wood and clay works from the Mingei International Museum’s renowned collection of Japanese folk art, craft and design. 1439 El Prado in Balboa Park, San Diego. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, through June 28. $4 to $7. (619) 239-0003, www.mingei.org.

Neutra tour

:

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

-- Lisa Boone

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