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• Board of Directors Application

  • Start
    Sat, June 01, 2024
  • End
    Wed, December 31, 2025
  • Location
    San Diego

  Register

  Board of Directors Application

  

  We are looking for talented members to serve on the Board of Directors.  
  The current open board positions : 

  • Membership
  • Annual Garden Tour Coordinator
  • Public Relations & Communications 
  • Meeting Room Coordinator
    
  • Member at large –3 Positions with a single one year term

  About the Board:
  

  • The San Diego Horticultural Society is organized as a California public benefit corporation with no voting members.  All planning and voting is done by the SDHS Board of Directors volunteers.  The board is composed of 15 members exclusive of any ex officio (non-voting) members. 
    
  • Elections for open board positions occur annually at the September board meeting or via email ballot in advance of the meeting.
    
  • Most directors serve a three-year term of office, with vacancies filled by approval of the Board until the next annual election. 
    
  • Up to three directors serve a one-year term as at-large members.   This is a great opportunity to learn more about serving on the board and potential become a 3-year member.
  • Board meetings are held the third Monday of the month in January, March, May, July, September and November. Meeting time is from 10AM to noon at the San Diego Botanic Garden.  Board meeting times and dates are occasionally changed based on board member's schedules.  
    
  • Board members are required to attend at least 3 of the 6 board meetings.
  • In addition, board members are expected to participate in as many SDHS events as possible during the year, and to volunteer whenever possible for those events. 
    
  • While not a requirement, most communications between board members is done via email. We request board members have an email address and read their email on regular basis.

  Application Process:

  • To be considered for next year's board, applications must be submitted prior to August 1st of this year.
  • Click here to fill out an online application. You must be an SDHS member.
  • After submitting your application, please use this email link to let us know you have applied.
  • The Nominating Committee will review your application and contact you.
  • If you have questions about the board or nominating process click link to send email:  Nominating Committee

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• November Meeting

  • When
    Sat, November 15, 2025
  •  
    1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    A Strawberry Is Not A Fruit With The Plant Guy! Chuck McClung Explains Botanical Complexities And More

  Register

  Next Meeting
  A Strawberry Is Not A Fruit With The Plant Guy! Chuck McClung Explains Botanical Complexities And More at San Diego Oasis, Rancho Bernardo, CA.

  Online registration required -
  SD Hort Member (and their guest) registration is FREE and 
  in-person non-member registration is $15.00

  (Consider joining or renewing with the San Diego Horticultural Society for $30.00 and attend this meeting for free.)

  Next meeting: November 15, 2025

  At Oasis RB, 1:30p-3p

  Chuck the Plant Guy!

  

  Not only is he going to boost our expertise and answer our questions, but he's also bringing plants, as well as copies of his books, for sale!

  
  

  • Online registration required 
  • Member (and one guest) registration is FREE
  • Non-member -  join or renew your membership for $30.00 and attend all meetings free.

  Bring plants or cuttings to share at the Plant Forum before the meeting.

  • Social hour and Plant Forum  at 1:30 PM

  • Presentations at 2:00 PM

  • Location - San Diego Oasis
    17170 Bernardo Center Dr.  San Diego, CA 92128

  • In the Innovation Center on the lower level

  

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• Mission Hills Open Garden

  • When
    Sat, December 20, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
  • Location
    Mission Hills - Registration Opens Dec 6
  • Spaces left
    35

  Registration is closed

  Conclude the year and celebrate the winter solstice with a self-guided tour of Jim Bishop and Scott Borden's hillside garden in Mission Hills. Many of the large aloes and drought-tolerant plants are currently in full bloom.

  Their 1930s Spanish-revival style house and garden in Mission Hills offer views of Mission Valley. Scott and Jim have been cultivating the steep hillside for 24 years. In 2003, they transformed an old, cold swimming pool into a walled garden featuring a stair tower and an outdoor room for entertaining. More recently, rock mosaic paths descend the terraced hillside to a spacious mosaic landing five stories below the house, surrounded by gardens with low-water plants from South Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean, and South America. The front of the house boasts a newly updated succulent and bromeliad garden, along with numerous potted plants in the courtyards and terraces, plus thousands of recycled bottles and found objects throughout the garden.
  

  Last year's project introduced a large moon arch and opened access to a new section of the garden.

  • Carpooling is recommended
  • Parking might be easier later in the day
  • No pets or children
  • Wear comfortable and closed toes shoes 
  • Probably not the garden for you if you have a fear of heights and/or steps.
  • FREE and for Society Members only. You must register to reserve your space.
  • Guest must join Hort Society to visit this garden.
  • Directions are emailed in the registration confirmation message.

  
  

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• Mission Hills Open Garden

  • When
    Sat, December 20, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    Mission Hills - Registration Opens Dec 6
  • Spaces left
    35

  Registration is closed

  Conclude the year and celebrate the winter solstice with a self-guided tour of Jim Bishop and Scott Borden's hillside garden in Mission Hills. Many of the large aloes and drought-tolerant plants are currently in full bloom.

  Their 1930s Spanish-revival style house and garden in Mission Hills offer views of Mission Valley. Scott and Jim have been cultivating the steep hillside for 24 years. In 2003, they transformed an old, cold swimming pool into a walled garden featuring a stair tower and an outdoor room for entertaining. More recently, rock mosaic paths descend the terraced hillside to a spacious mosaic landing five stories below the house, surrounded by gardens with low-water plants from South Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean, and South America. The front of the house boasts a newly updated succulent and bromeliad garden, along with numerous potted plants in the courtyards and terraces, plus thousands of recycled bottles and found objects throughout the garden.
  

  Last year's project introduced a large moon arch and opened access to a new section of the garden.

  • Carpooling is recommended
  • Parking might be easier later in the day
  • No pets or children
  • Wear comfortable and closed toes shoes 
  • Probably not the garden for you if you have a fear of heights and/or steps.
  • FREE and for Society Members only. You must register to reserve your space.
  • Guest must join Hort Society to visit this garden.
  • Directions are emailed in the registration confirmation message.

  
  

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• Mission Hills Open Garden

  • When
    Sat, December 20, 2025
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Mission Hills - Registration Opens Dec 6
  • Spaces left
    34

  Registration is closed

  Conclude the year and celebrate the winter solstice with a self-guided tour of Jim Bishop and Scott Borden's hillside garden in Mission Hills. Many of the large aloes and drought-tolerant plants are currently in full bloom.

  Their 1930s Spanish-revival style house and garden in Mission Hills offer views of Mission Valley. Scott and Jim have been cultivating the steep hillside for 24 years. In 2003, they transformed an old, cold swimming pool into a walled garden featuring a stair tower and an outdoor room for entertaining. More recently, rock mosaic paths descend the terraced hillside to a spacious mosaic landing five stories below the house, surrounded by gardens with low-water plants from South Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean, and South America. The front of the house boasts a newly updated succulent and bromeliad garden, along with numerous potted plants in the courtyards and terraces, plus thousands of recycled bottles and found objects throughout the garden.
  

  Last year's project introduced a large moon arch and opened access to a new section of the garden.

  • Carpooling is recommended
  • Parking might be easier later in the day
  • No pets or children
  • Wear comfortable and closed toes shoes 
  • Probably not the garden for you if you have a fear of heights and/or steps.
  • FREE and for Society Members only. You must register to reserve your space.
  • Guest must join Hort Society to visit this garden.
  • Directions are emailed in the registration confirmation message.

  
  

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• Escondido Open Garden

  • When
    Sat, January 24, 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Escondido - Registration Opens Jan 10, 2026
  • Spaces left
    35

  Registration is closed

  Begin the new year with a visit to Ray and Bonnie Brooks in Escondido. Their garden was a horticultural hit on 2025 garden tour and this an opportunity to visit it in winter.  Ray, the former SDHS treasurer, is also renowned for his woodworking talents.  Their property, spanning over an acre, features a diverse collection of plants from around the globe.  The garden includes a large greenhouse/conservatory filled with numerous plants and a propagation area. Don't miss the Cycad Terraces, which display over 100 cycads both in-ground and in pots.  Take a moment to discover the charm of the Secret Garden, where you can unwind beside a waterfall. This garden has something for everyone! As you explore, you'll encounter other attractions such as dragon trees, waterwise plants, and methods to collect 2,000 gallons of rainwater for the landscape!

  • If parking near the house is full, there may a bit of a walk from your car to the house. Or come later in the day when there are fewer people!
  • Carpooling is recommended.
  • Wear a hat and sun protection.
  • Comfortable shoes for walking recommended. 
  • Handicapped access to the garden is limited.
  • Please no children under 10 or 12. Too many spiny plants.

  
  

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• Olivehain Open Garden

  • When
    Sat, February 14, 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Escondido - Registration Opens Jan 31, 2026
  • Spaces left
    100

  Registration is closed

  Celebrate Valentines Day with a visit to the colorful and romantic 2 acre, Olivenhain garden of Bobbi Hirschkoff. With views to La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe and a gentle slope it provides the foundation of a special garden.  The garden is now over 30 years old and once sunny areas have now become shaded.  The garden is a mixture of plants ranging from drought tolerant to tropical.  Some special features are the lath house, tool shed, koi ponds and numerous pieces of art. 

  • Bobbi will have some of her art available for sale.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes.
  • Carpooling is recommended.

  This is a Members Only benefit and is free, but you must register to attend. 

  
  

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