Spring in Guadalupe Gardens takes place April 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Columbus Park on Spring Street at Taylor Street in San Jose. Admission, park tours and parking are all free.

Various unusual species, vegetable plants and rare cultivars of roses will be available for sale. Docent-led tours will visit the Heritage Rose Garden, Guadalupe River Park trails, the Historic Orchard and the Recycled Water Demonstration Garden. Spring in Guadalupe Gardens will also feature "water-efficient gardening" displays, raffles and a "compost giveaway." An activity area for children will feature games, activities and experiments to educate young people about the Guadalupe River watershed, pollution prevention and water conservation. More information may be obtained by calling 408.298.7657 or 408.277.8845 or by visiting www.grpg.org.

The open house at Bay Laurel Nursery has already begun and will continue April 26 and 27 and May 4. The nursery is located at 1554 Bean Creek Road in Scotts Valley. More information can be found in previous gardening columns or by calling 831.438.3999. This event is a rare and unique opportunity to visit a source of the most esoteric rhododendrons that is otherwise not open to the public. I will help staff the event during the last two days and hope to see many of you there.

The Santa Clara Valley chapter of the California Native Plant Society will conduct the 31st annual Wildflower Show—also on April 26 and 27—from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hospitality Center of Mission College, located at 3000 Mission College Blvd. in Santa Clara. More than 400 species of wildflowers and native species will be displayed, many of which are suitable for home gardening. Books, posters and wildflower paraphernalia will be for sale. Information is available by calling 650.691 9749, emailing gstigall@aol.com or visiting www.stanford.edu/~rawlings/blazcon.htm.

Flower of the Week: India hawthorn

I should have planted India hawthorn, Raphiolepis indica, years ago. During the past 12 years, euryops, rockrose and a few perennial species have come and gone within the space currently inhabited by weeds between the curb and sidewalk in front of my home. During that time, the India hawthorn across the street bloomed reliably every winter and spring. It grew rapidly into a size and shape that would be ideal for my garden but does not become disproportionately large. It has also been resilient to both minimal and excessive irrigation—depending on the diligence of the gardener.

Most cultivars exhibit profuse, half-inch-wide pink flowers, while some exhibit white or almost red flowers. The evergreen leaves are somewhat bronze or "rusty" as they emerge and are olive-green and approximately 2 inches long when mature. Foliage of some cultivars will also become somewhat bronze or blushed during winter. Larger cultivars may be as high as 5 feet, but most are lower.

After bloom, shearing promotes foliar density. Full sun exposure is preferred. Minor shade can be tolerated, but will inhibit bloom and foliar density. "Majestic Beauty," which is assumed to be a hybrid of India hawthorn and loquat, grows more rapidly and vigorously than other India hawthorn and may eventually become a small tree as tall as 15 feet.

Cooler winter weather promotes profusion of bloom, which may continue for a considerable time. Late bloom is typically sporadic and somewhat pale but may continue until winter or spring bloom resumes. Rain and broad-cast irrigation may promote fungal leaf spot. Aphids may infest emerging foliage during warm weather but rarely cause substantial damage.

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