Bring your entire family to this two-day expo showcasing the plant biodiversity of Santa Clara, San Mateo and surrounding counties. The region's premier botanical/horticultural event displays over 400 species of wildflowers and native plants, each accurately labeled, and many suitable for the home garden. Knowledgeable botanists and gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. Free classes on wildflower identification, gardening with native plants, the best places to find wildflowers, how to draw wildflowers, and children activities. Books, plants, note cards, and wildflower related items on sale. Sponsored by our Chapter of CNPS and the Mission College Biological Sciences Department. Free admission and free parking in Lot C.

For more information, see the flyer (PDF), view the class schedule, visit the show page, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (650) 260-3450.

The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of California's native plants and how to conserve them and their natural habitats through education, science, advocacy, horticulture, and land stewardship.

The Santa Clara Valley Chapter of CNPS covers San Mateo County and Santa Clara County. It offers activities focusing on the many aspects of native plants, from gardening, plant identification, and photography to conservation and rare plants. It offers talks and lectures and workshops, field trips, native plant sales, wildflower show, restoration workdays, and more.

Activities

Field Trips: The chapter conducts many outings during the year to areas of botanical interest, usually in the local area, but also occasional overnights to exciting, far off places. Each trip is a good opportunity to explore new places and meet new friends.

Programs: Bimonthly general meetings feature invited speakers of significant achievement sharing their knowledge in a friendly, accessible setting. A wide selection of native plant books is available at the book table. The meetings are open to members as well as the general public. The January meeting is Members' Night, and the November meeting is a popular potluck dinner and annual election. Locations usually alternate between the Los Altos Library & Saratoga Library. Please refer to the calendar in the right margin for the date, time, and venue of the next meeting.

Outreach: By means of an annual Wildflower Show, two Native Plant Sales, and an annual Going Native Garden Tour, we build membership and promote the protection of natives in their natural habitat and the use of natives in landscaping.

Conservation: By means of persuasion, publicity, and legal action, we work to support the establishment and preservation of protected areas for native plants. We are often asked to write letters to our legislators, perhaps the most important of all our activities.

Rare Plants: The local populations of rare plants and plant communities are identified, monitored, and added to the CNPS inventory and state and federal data bases.

Invasives: Invasive, non-native species are increasingly threatening our native flora. Broom and teasel (at Stevens Creek and Edgewood parks respectively) are current targets of our efforts.

Photography: A popular program dedicated to improving photographic skills. A good way to learn more about photography and our native plants, and very good entertainment!

Gardening With Natives: An active subgroup of the chapter offers talks at public libraries throughout the two-county area. The talks are open to the public.

Edgewood Park: Throughout the spring season volunteers lead weekly walks at one of our most treasured local wildflower spots. Volunteers attend weekly restoration workdays to control invasives and allow native plants to return.

CNPS-SCV News: The Santa Clara Valley Chapter emails announcements about upcoming events (talks, hikes, sales, wildflower show, garden tour), alerts, last-minute notices, and late-breaking news. Sign up below for email notification. There are 5-10 announcements per month.