Mike Atkinson has owned a plumeria farm on Mt Helix in San Diego’s east county with his wife Stacy for over 25 years. The PBS program “A Growing Passion” featured them on their Emmy-winning episode about plumerias. He has taught plumeria workshops in Southern California (San Diego Horticultural Society, San Diego Botanic Garden, Master Gardeners, plus many garden clubs and nurseries), all plumeria societies in the US, and the International Plumeria Conference in Florida. He is a longtime volunteer and speaker with the Southern California Plumeria Society, has authored many articles, and has been interviewed many times, including by the Los Angeles Times.
Plumerias love San Diego. Often thought to be native to Hawaii, plumerias are actually native to southern Mexico, Central America, and South America. Their low-maintenance, low-water requirements, and their amazing blooms and fragrances, make them the ideal complement to our Southern California gardens. Mike will introduce the various types of plumerias, explain their fertilization needs, describe which plants make good companions in the garden, and provide advice on general care and selection.
Monday, Feb 13, at 6 PM: Plumeria 101: Grow Amazing Plumerias in San Diego presented by the San Diego Horticultural Society at Congregation Beth Israel, 9001 Towne Centre Drive; pre-registration required. Mike Atkinson will share his extensive knowledge of growing and propagating the many varieties of plumerias that thrive in our Mediterranean climate. Details at: https://www.sdhort.org/event-5136715
