Gayle Anderson was live in Sun Valley to begin her series of SPRING FLING reports.
With drought restrictions in effect, you might want to consider planting a native garden. Gardens and landscapes comprised of California native plants use 60 to 90 percent less water than conventional landscapes and require fewer fertilizers, soil amendments or pesticides. A city of Santa Monica experiment showed a native plant garden using appropriate watering methods used nearly 220,000 fewer gallons of water than a similarly sized conventional garden—a 77 percent decrease in water use. Information courtesy ACR 173.
The Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants invites viewers to its “Poppy Days Spring Plant Sale” this Friday and Saturday, March 27th and 28th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The foundation offers more than 600 different species and cultivars of native plants for purchase. The plant sale features discounts on the region’s largest selection of California native plants, seeds and TPF gear. Members-only discounts are offered on both days from 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Members of the Foundation receive a 15% discount all day long. Non-members get 10% off after 11:00 a.m.
Those interested in water conservation can learn about native gardens and plants at the foundation, which offers classes on native garden design and maintenance. Upcoming classes in the month of April include “Look Ma, No Lawn!,” a “Three-Part CA Native Garden Design,” and “CA Native Plant Horticulture.” For more information about these classes, click HERE.
Last year, the Theodore Payne Foundation for broke ground on its Nature and Educational Facilities project. In April 2011, the Foundation received a $930,000 grant from the State of California to build new nature education facilities on its property. The funds were from the Safe Drinking Water Bond Act, Proposition 84, passed by voters in November 2006. The facilities will include two fully equipped classrooms, a student orientation area, expanded parking, improved restrooms and septic system, expanded ADA access throughout, a fire management demonstration garden and interpretive signage.
Established in 1960, the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the understanding, preservation and use of California native flora. The Foundation preserves the legacy and carries on the work of Theodore Payne, a pioneering Los Angeles nurseryman, horticulturist and conservationist widely considered to be the father of the native plant movement in California.
Located in Sun Valley, the Theodore Payne Foundation is open Thursday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Foundation is closed Sunday through Wednesday.
The spring garden tour season is now in full effect, which began with the Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour on March 21st and March 22nd. The following is a selection of seasonal offerings courtesy the Los Angeles Times. These events allow you to explore private gardens and neighborhoods, including several that feature native plants. Not all tours are handicap-accessible. Make sure to check the individial websites for more information and updates.
Upcoming Spring Garden Tours:
March 28: Tony Baker and Ric Dykzeul lead a visit to several gardens in the Palos Verdes area in this tour sponsored by the South Coast chapter of the California Native Plant Society. 9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. $20 to $25. Reservations by phone only: (310) 629-0500
April 18: The Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar hosts a tour of several private gardens in Newport Beach, Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members, $50; nonmembers, $55. Lunch included. (949) 673-2261
April 19: The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden presents Cultivating the Wild, a tour of a Santa Ynez Valley neighborhood landscaped with native plants as well as a tour of a historic California rancho. The tour includes a stop at the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members, $95; nonmembers, $125. Includes lunch, wine and bus transportation. Advance registration required. (805) 682-4726, Ext. 102; registrations@sbbg.org
April 19: The Westlake Village Garden Club’s 42nd Annual Garden Tour highlights five gardens in the area. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Experts are on hand to discuss bees, birds, butterflies and garden roses. Advance tickets, $20; same day, $25.
April 25-26: Six private gardens are open to the public during the 68th annual Riverside Flower Show and Garden Tour. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The flower show is open 1 to 6 p.m. April 25 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 26. Elks Lodge, 6166 Brockton Drive, Riverside. $10 to $12. ( 951) 777-0746
April 25: The seventh annual self-guided Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase features five walkable neighborhood clusters of California native and drought-tolerant plants and edibles. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free
April 25-26: The Floral Park Home and Garden Tour highlights homes and gardens in the neighborhood north of Santa Ana. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. advance tickets, $25; same day, $30. Classic cars and antiques vendors will be located on Victoria Drive. (714) 648-0904;
April 26: South Pasadena Beautiful hosts a tour of four sustainable gardens in South Pasadena. Additionally, Debby Figoni presents lectures on turf removal rebates and water-wise gardening at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. at 523 Prospect Ave. Between lectures, Figoni and landscape architect June Scott advises on creating water-wise frontyards. Plant Swap at 1020 Highland St., 1 to 4 p.m. Free.
April 26: Six gardens in Pasadena, South Pasadena and Sierra Madre are featured in this year’s self-guided Open Days tour sponsored by the Garden Conservancy. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Maps and tickets available at La Casita del Arroyo Garden, 177 S. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Members, $21; nonmembers, $35. (888) 842-2442
April 26: Several private gardens in Fullerton are featured in the self-guided Fullerton Beautiful’s Open Gardens Tour. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $10. Tour begins at the Fullerton College Horticulture Department, 321 E. Chapman Ave. (714) 871-4156
April 26: The Pacific Palisades Spring Garden Tour of Gardens in Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades includes a free tour of the Temescal Canyon native plant garden. Noon to 4 p.m. $30. (310) 454-1030
April 26: The Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society sponsors a tour of seven gardens adjacent to Brookside’s stream. 1 to 4 p.m. $30 to $35 for non-members
Saturday & Sunday, March 27th-28th, 2015
8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
“Poppy Days Spring Plant Sale”
Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants
10459 Tuxford Street
Sun Valley, CA 91352
(818) 768-1802
Upcoming Classes at Theodore Payne:
Saturday, April 4th, 2015
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
“CA Native Plant Horticulture”
Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants
10459 Tuxford Street
Sun Valley, CA 91352
(818) 768-1802
Friday, April 10th, 2015
11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
“Three-Part CA Native Garden Design, Part I”
Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants
10459 Tuxford Street
Sun Valley, CA 91352
(818) 768-1802
Saturday, April 11th, 2015
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
“Three-Part CA Native Garden Design”
Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants
10459 Tuxford Street
Sun Valley, CA 91352
(818) 768-1802
Saturday, April 11th, 2015
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
“Look, Ma, No Lawn!”
Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants
10459 Tuxford Street
Sun Valley, CA 91352
(818) 768-1802
If you have questions, please feel free to call Gayle Anderson at 323-460-5732 or e-mail Gayle at Gayle.Anderson@KTLA.com
