"Madagascar - Plantasy Fantasy" by Kelly Griffin

Kelly Griffin will present “Madagascar – Plantasy Fantasy” a fascinating look into a floral expedition to search for water wise plants that will thrive in California’s similar climate. Do not miss this rare opportunity to learn how plants in other countries in the Mediterranean climate as far away as off the coast of eastern Africa are perfect for the Southern California beach climes.

Kelly will present at the Laguna Beach Garden Club’s upcoming meeting held at Laguna Beach Presbyterian Church, in Tankersley Hall, located at 415 Forest Ave. Registration and social hour is from 9:30-10 AM.

Biography of Kelly Griffin:

Kelly Griffin is most recognized with finding and creating new and different plants that can be utilized in garden settings. Some of Kelly’s hybrid aloes are well known in the industry and are collected by enthusiasts.

Griffin presents some of the strange, beautiful and wonderful plants (mostly succulents) that he has had the good fortune to see in his travels, sharing his passion to observe plants in the wild in order to understand how they grow, and under what conditions. He will share insights into the plants and habitats that are not well-known.

Griffin is manager of Succulent Plant Development for Altman Plants, the largest producer of succulents in the country. His inclination has been towards Agaves, Aloes and Echeverias, but there are many more plants that have garnered his attention. As part of his life’s work, he has introduced more than 100 succulents and created many cultivars that have been nudging their way into gardens and patios.

Although Griffin’s area of study at UCSD was applied physics, his love of plants continued to steer him towards horticulture as a career. Prior to his current position with Altman Plants, he was the curator of Xerophytes at Rancho Soledad Nursery. He has travelled extensively worldwide documenting plants and collecting seeds for propagation.