Although the beginning bonsai workshop will not be conducted until Sept. 21, registration must be completed by Sept. 6. This workshop will be led by horticulturist, forester and bonsai artist Troy Trede of the San Jose City Parks Department, who will discuss and demonstrate the fundamentals, techniques, tools, styles and history of bonsai. Participants should bring gloves, if preferred, and shears; soil, dishes (pots) and small plant specimens will be provided. Admission is $45 for members of Friends of Guadalupe River Park and Gardens (GRPG) or $50 for nonmembers. The workshop will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon.

Sue Evanicky of the John E. Stowell Dahlia Society will conduct another workshop, "All About Dahlias," from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Sept. 14. Seasonal maintenance and the various forms and functions of dahlias will be demonstrated in the John E. Stowell Dahlia Society demonstration garden in the courtyard garden. Admission is $15, or $10 for GRPG members. Attendance is limited.

Another volunteer workday at the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden has been scheduled for Sept. 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with free ice cream sundaes served afterwards in the garden center. Guests should bring their own shears (clippers) if possible. Experienced volunteers will be available to demonstrate appropriate pruning techniques.

To arrange reservations, or to obtain more information concerning any of these events, contact the education coordinator at 408.298.7657 or visit www.grpg.org. The John E. Stowell Dahlia Society will also be hosting their annual dahlia show in Vallco Fashion Park on Sept. 14 and 15.

Master Gardeners of Monterey County will be available to discuss their work as they host their Masters Garden Tour in five of their home gardens in Watsonville and the surrounding Pajaro Valley. This self-guided tour also features a plant sale, raffle, Master Gardeners art and crafts sale and the Master Gardener Community Project Information Gallery. Tickets with a map and description of the gardens can be purchased for $12 at Native Revival, Potting Shed and Hidden Gardens in Aptos; Far West Nursery and The Pergola in Soquel; The Garden Company in Santa Cruz; or Plant Works in Felton and Sierra Azul (tell them I sent you) in Watsonville. Incidentally, the proceeds from this tour benefit community garden projects in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, including the Watsonville Youth and Demonstration Garden, habitat restoration and school and senior projects. For more information, contact Anne Hayden at 831.688.2273.

Flower of the Week: Lantana

The various cultivars of lantana have been so extensively hybridized among the two parent species, Lantana camara and Lantana montevidensis, that they are not normally identified by species but merely by the cultivar names. Many of the cultivars are actually Lantana camara, but lineage may be too vague even for The Jerry Springer Show.

"Purebred" Lantana montevidensis is often available in nurseries as a ground cover that spreads to 4 feet, featuring purplish lavender flowers. A cultivar of this species exhibits white flowers. The color of blooms among the various other cultivars otherwise ranges through many interesting shades and combinations of white, pink, red, magenta, lavender, purple, orange and yellow. Many cultivars of lantana are effective as ground cover, but others are shrubby, growing up to 4 feet tall without support.

Some of the shrubby cultivars are grown taller as patio trees or "standards," with the shrubby growth supported by a staked, bare trunk. The coarsely serrated leaves are less than 1 inch long and may "blush" purple during cold weather. Foliage is very aromatic when disturbed. Some may find this objectionable. Full exposure to sunlight is preferred. Mildew may torment shaded specimens. Inferior soil is easily tolerated if irrigation is not so frequent that the soil remains too moist. Even if soil drains well, too much water and fertilizer will inhibit bloom.

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408-358-2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.