The Southwest Native Plant Primer: A Talk and Book Signing with Jack Dash
2026-08-11 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Denver) | Christ Church, 1213 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
Join the Santa Fe Botanical Garden and the Native Plant Society of New Mexico (Santa Fe Chapter) for an engaging evening with Jack Dash, co-author of The Southwest Native Plant Primer. This talk will explore how gardeners—at any skill level—can make informed, regionally appropriate plant choices that support biodiversity and respond to the realities of a warming, water-limited climate.
Spanning landscapes from New Mexico and Arizona to southern Utah and Colorado, the book highlights both the diversity and shared ecological patterns of Southwest flora, offering practical, science-based guidance for sustainable gardening. This comprehensive guide introduces a diverse selection of 235 native wildflowers, grasses, vines, cacti, and trees suited to gardens across New Mexico and the broader Southwest.
Following the presentation, Dash will be available for a book signing.
Jack Dash is a horticulturalist and writer based in Tucson, Arizona. A graduate of Prescott College, Jack is a board member of The Arizona Native Plant Society and co-editor of its biannual publication, the “Plant Press Arizona”. He is the Gardens and Facilities Manager at Tohono Chul, a 49-acre botanical garden where he oversees horticulture, infrastructure, plant propagation, and retail nursery sales. Jack is an advocate for ecologically-based urban landscaping and is a frequent contributor to the “Desert Plants” video segment on Arizona Public Media. He has contributed articles on the topic to a variety of publications and his first book, “The Southwest Native Plant Primer” was published by Timber Press in July 2025. Jack is the co-creator of “Atascosa Borderlands” an annotated floral study and visual storytelling project centered on the culture and ecology of the Atascosa Highlands in southern Arizona. This project can be viewed at https://www.atascosaborderlands.com/, and a book version of the project will be published by Timber Press in November, 2027.
To purchase a book in advance please select a ticket price “with Book”. Pre-ordered books will be available for pick up at check-in. No books sales will occur at the event. You are welcome to bring your own copy if you already have one. Books are also for sale at the SFBG Gift Shop (715 Camino Lejo).
Date and Time

Tuesday, August 11, 2026
5:30pm – 7:30pm

Location
Christ Church Santa Fe, 1213 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Pricing

Member of SFBG or Native Plant Society of NM: $15
Member of SFBG or Native Plant Society of NM with Book: $40
Not-yet-Member: $20
Not-yet-Member with Book: $45

**Native Plant Society Members** You will be emailed a discount code to use for $5 discount in checkout. If you need assistance please email santafe@npsnm.org.
**SFBG Members** You must sign in to take advantage of the discount. If you already have an account, click the “Sign in” button at the top of this page. If you do not have an account, click the “Register” button to create an account. If you receive an error or have questions, email info@santafebotanicalgarden.org.
Not yet a member? Join/renew here for discounts and benefits all year long!
Refund and Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. We do not offer refunds. If you must cancel, please consider the program fee a donation to the Garden.
We reserve the right to cancel programs at our discretion. Participants will be contacted via email as early as possible in the event of a program cancellation.

Journaling through Watercolor with Antonio Darden
2026-09-07 09:30 - 15:30 | Santa Fe Botanical Garden, 715 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
Advance Registration Required
Step into the Santa Fe landscape with a sketchbook in one hand and a thoughtfully limited watercolor palette in the other. In this beginner-friendly plein air journaling class, participants will learn to capture manageable Southwest scenes, from adobe walls and entryways to ristras and garden gates, while recording color mixes, light, and perspective notes that can later blossom into finished studio pieces. Guided by award-winning artist Antonio Darden, this course weaves color theory, value study, and one- and two-point perspective into a creative practice that’s equal parts travel diary and work of art. 🎨🌵
This class will cover, color theory, value study and one-point and two-point perspective. This class is for beginners to intermediate, even if you haven’t painted before you will really enjoy this class.
About the Artist:
Antonio Darden is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Western Federation Watercolor Society, Watercolor Society of Alabama and New Mexico Watercolor Society. Antonio is an avid plein air and Studio painter, building on the foundations of composition, value and local color and continuing to experiment and hone his personal style. Daily life drawing and plein air painting and studying from many renowned artists have elevated his technique in watercolor.
He works and teaches in his private art studio in Santa Fe NM. Antonio, a local, national and international award winning artist, has his art in private collections in Germany, London, Canada, Italy, Mexico and throughout the USA. www.dardenfineart.com
Date and Time:

Monday September 7 to Thursday September 10
9:30am – 3:30pm (1 hour break for lunch)

Location: Santa Fe Botanical Garden, 715 Camino Lejo, Hendricksen Pavilion, Santa Fe 87505
Pricing:

$400
pricing covers all four days of workshop

Refund policy: Cancelations more than one week prior to event are subject to a 25% cancelation fee. Cancelations with less than one week notice are non-refundable. If you need to cancel please call 505-471-9103 ext 105.
Cancelation Policy: Santa Fe Botanical Garden reserves the right to cancel programs at its discretion. Programs will run as scheduled, regardless of weather, unless participants are contacted directly by Garden Staff either by phone or email.
