Charleston Lowcountry Rose Society: Monday. Refreshments and rose clinic 7 p.m., with program at 7:30 p.m. on container gardening with roses, presented by Fletcher Derrick. Essex Village Church of Christ, 736 Savage Road off U.S. Highway 17. Free. Call 762-2963.
GROWING HERBS: Tuesday, 10 a.m.-noon, Charleston County Main Library, 68 Calhoun St. Free talk and slide show, "It's Thyme to Learn Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs," led by herb expert and grower Pete Madsen, owner of Pete's Herb Farm on Johns Island. Madsen will offer advice on growing herbs in the hot, humid Lowcountry, along with several recipes. Program sponsored by Charleston County Master Gardeners. Parking at Main Library; free for first hour, then 50 cents per half-hour. Details: Janet Litton at 2janet@bellsouth.net or 559-3929.
GARDEN PARTY AND AUCTION: Saturday, 2:30-6:30 p.m., St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 67 Anson St., Charleston. House and garden tour in historic Ansonborough will include an auction and garden party on the church grounds. Auction items include jewelry, antiques, artwork, getaways and dining opportunities, including an evening of dining with the Lee Brothers and dinner for 20 at Bowen's Island. Proceeds benefit the Magdalene House and other ministries. $25 in advance, $30 the day of the event. Call 723-8966 or go to www.ststephenscharleston.org.
Creating sensational containers: Saturday, 10 a.m., Palm Trees & Garden Center, U.S. Highway 17, Mount Pleasant. Horticulturist Betty Heird will demonstrate how to assemble a "wow" container to accent a porch, patio, pool or garden area. Not a hands-on class. Different types of containers will be featured. Light refreshments. No fee. Call 216-9700 to reserve a space.
CHARLESTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY meeting: May 14, 6:30 p.m. "Building a Backyard Habitat for Birds," featuring Patty Montgomery, owner of the Mount Pleasant Wild Birds Unlimited. Charleston Museum Auditorium, 360 Meeting St. Free to members, $10 for non. Plant giveaways. Call 579-9922, e-mail chhortsoc@sc-online.net or go to www.charlestonhorticulturalsociety.org.
Fourth annual plant swap: May 19, 10 a.m., Park Circle, North Charleston. Trade extra plants and seedlings. Free. Call 200-5818.
Master Gardeners Garden Tours: May 20, June 2 and 16. Five Charleston County Master Gardeners will open their gardens to the public for educational tours and will answer questions. Tour dates and sites: May 20, 1-4 p.m., seaside rose garden on the Isle of Palms, $15; June 2, 2-5 p.m., two downtown Charleston gardens, one at a historic home with gardenias, azaleas, tea olives and crape myrtles, and the other a "green and white garden." $20 for both tours; June 16, 2-5 p.m., two waterfront homes on Johns Island, one with bamboo, daylilies, ferns, hosta, peppermint ginger and papyrus, the other features garden art from Stone's Throw Pottery and items for sale by potter Sandra Nissen, $20 for both tours. Tickets available by e-mailing chasmgspresent@bellsouth.net or calling 559-3929.
Meeting and event notices must include event/organization, topic, time, place (address), cost and contact. Include name and daytime phone number. Deadline: noon Tuesday before Sunday publication. E-mail homes@postandcourier.com, call 937-5557 or post it to Ann Mitchell, The Post and Courier, 134 Columbus St., Charleston, SC 29403-4800.
