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In brief

Native plants: The Washington Native Plant Society has events planned for Native Plant Appreciation Week May 1 to 7. All events are free.

* Native plant journal: Simple drawing techniques, noon to 2 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Arts of Snohomish. Drawing and plant materials provided, registration required; 425-415-5370.

* Ecological forays: 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Monroe Library.

* Ethno-botanic stroll: Makah Tribal member Betty Croy and Edmonds Community College horticulture faculty member Walt Bubelis will give a tour of the campus, 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the college. Meet in the foyer of Snohomish Hall.

* Washington native plants: Everett Community College botany instructor Fayla Schwartz will lead a walk through the school’s native plant garden, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the college.

* Urban trail walk: The history of Snohomish River Estuary, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Lowell Riverfront Park in Everett.

* Wildflowers: Botany lesson and field guides, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Mukilteo library.

* Snohomish River estuary hike: Estuaries, native vegetation and restoration projects, 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Spencer Island. See a heron rookery.

For more information, call the society at 206-527-3210 or visit www.wnps.org.

Whidbey tour: A collection of rare rhododendrons at their blooming peak is among five private Whidbey Island gardens the public can tour 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The 10th Annual Whidbey Island Garden Tour also includes a one-acre garden featuring a collection of rare and unusual plants including epimediums, hellebores and foliage plants; a landscape with edibles, an outdoor dining room sheltered by an arbor, and bathhouse; a Japanese-inspired landscape with an unusually complex watercourse; and 11 acres offering extraordinary plant compositions that vary by seasons.

Admission to Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens is included in the tour. Tickets cost $20 and $10 for children under 12. Tickets are available at the following island businesses: Bayview Farm and Garden, Clinton Nursery, Flowers by the Bay (Langley and Freeland) and Sally’s Garden in Coupeville.

For more information, visit the group’s Web site at www.wigt.org.

Classy plant sale: The horticulture classes at Snohomish High School plan their annual plant sales every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the month of May at the high school, 1316 Fifth St., Snohomish.

They will have annuals, bedding plants, perennials, hanging baskets of fuchsias, geraniums, impatiens, mixed baskets and vegetable starts.

Small farm clinic: Snohomish Conservation District is hosting its annual Spring Small Farm Clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Stillaguamish Grange, 6521 Pioneer Highway, Stanwood.

Workshop topics include ridding property of pests and weeds and managing pastures to avoid weed infestations.

Cost is $10 and includes lunch.

Mother’s Day flower and garden show: Country Village will be hosting a Mother’s Day Flower and Garden Show featuring items from specialty nurseries, cut flowers and garden art from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7 and 8 in the center parking area.

There will be garden-related demonstrations and Mother’s Day specials. Fancy Frocks and Fairytails is presenting a fashion show and there will be children’s classes.

Country Village is at 23716 Eighth Ave. SE, Bothell. For information, call 425-483-2250 or visit them on the Web at www.countryvillagebothell.com.

Garden classes: The Center for Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington announces its spring schedule of classes and lectures April through June.

The Center for Urban Horticulture is at 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle. Registration required.

To register or for information, call 206-685-8033.

* Advice from the tomato expert, 7 to 8:30 p.m. today, $10.

* Solar tour of Seattle, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, $65.

* Miller Library and Green Building tour, 7 p.m. Monday and June 6.

* Mediterranean garden design for the Pacific Northwest, 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, $25.

* Ten great perennials for spring gardens, noon to 1 p.m. May 5.

* The art of espalier, 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 5, $25.

* Protecting your apple tree from persistent pests, 7 to 8 p.m. May 11, 10:30 to noon May 14 or 21, $25.

* Growing and using culinary herbs, 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 19, $10.

* Solar electricity for homeowners, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 21, $40.

* Treasure of the Miller Library lecture with David Mabberley, 6 p.m. May 22, $10 donation.