Descanso Gardens to celebrate Earth Day April 20

Descanso Gardens will celebrate Earth Day 2013 on Saturday, April 20, with presentations by celebrated garden author Debra Prinzing and a performance by the California Shakespeare Ensemble. Outdoor living expert Debra Prinzing will lead a hands-on floral workshop and present a lecture on using sustainable floral sources. Based in Los Angeles and Seattle, she is the author of the books "The 50-Mile Bouquet" and "Slow Flowers," as well as a many magazine articles. Her website,debraprinzing.com, currently features a weekly "recipe" for a flower arrangement using plant materials sourced close to home. The California Shakespeare Ensemble returns to Descanso Gardens with "Shakespeare's Lovers." The troupe, which presented "Twelfth Night" at last year's Earth Day and "A Christmas Carol" in December, will perform some of Shakespeare's greatest love scenes, and a few lesser known gems. Earth Day will also include family activities, eco-friendly food options, and a performance by Descanso favorites the Mobile Homeboys. Here's a look at the day's schedule.  Debra Prinzing "Slow Flowers" workshop  10:30 am | Van de Kamp Outdoor living expert and author Debra Prinzing leads a hands-on floral design workshop using locally sourced ingredients and a wide array of "techniques. This "make it and take it" design workshop will introduce the basics of floral design with room to express personal style. Learn the best ways to harvest, process and prolong the vase life of flora, including flowers, branches, grasses, and even edibles. Workshop is $75 which includes floral supplies, lunch and a signed copy of Prinzing's book "Slow Flowers." Fee does not include Gardens admission for nonmembers. Tickets on sale at ticketweb.com. Family Activities 11 am-3 pm | Main Lawn Explore the wonders of nature through hands-on activities. Discover tasty, locally grown, organic foods at Patina's eco-friendly farm stand where mouth-watering selections will be sold. Mobile Homeboys in Concert Noon-2 pm | Under the Oaks Theater Sit back in the Under the Oaks Theater and enjoy an afternoon of hard charging country-flavored rock and roll by this rocking band. "Slow Flowers" Lecture 1:30 pm | Van de Kamp First there was slow food.Now there are local and fresh "slow flowers" -- no chemical-laden blooms flown in from afar. In her book "Slow Flowers," celebrated garden writer Debra Prinzing takes us through the seasons to create 52 vibrant bouquets using only locally sourced materials. She celebrates each season's unique character with fresh blossoms, ornamental twigs, foliage, dried pods, and more. Learn expert tips and bouquet "recipes" for beautifying your world in an Earth-friendly manner. "Shakespeare's Lovers" 3 pm | Under the Oaks Theater The California Shakespeare Ensemble returns to Descanso to perform a number of memorable love scenes from Shakespeare's vast repertoire.       Unless noted, activities are free with admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors/students, $3 children 5-12; children 4 and younger enter free. Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. Open daily (except Christmas) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details:www.descansogardens.org or (818) 949-4200.     About Descanso Gardens: Established as a public garden in 1953, Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, near the interchange of the 2 and 210 freeways. The Gardens are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Christmas Day. Parking is free. Admission fees are $8 for adults; $6 for seniors and students with I.D.; $3 for children 5 to 12, and free for members and children 4 and younger. For information, call (818) 949-4200 or visit www.descansogardens.org. Descanso Gardens is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.