Payne Foundation to Hold Yearly Plant Sale

The Theodore Payne Foundation, established in 1960 to educate the public about the conservation and horticulture of native plants, will hold its annual winter sale today through Sunday.

Established by friends of Payne late in the English-born botanist’s life, the nonprofit foundation cultivates native plants and wildflowers on its 22-acre property.

It also offers a variety of educational services such as seminars, workshops, docent-led tours and even horticulture tips over the phone. Admission to the foundation is free.

“Payne immigrated to California when he was 18 [around 1890] and discovered a situation where California’s native plants were being ignored and destroyed,” said Dustin Alcala, the foundation’s nursery manager. “He made it his life’s mission to preserve and educate the public about the native habitat.”

The foundation has about 2,000 members.

During its three-day winter sale, the foundation will discount its home-grown assortment of more than 400 varieties of native plants and seeds, officials said. A variety of other items, such as horticulture books and T-shirts, will also be sold.

The Theodore Payne Foundation is at 10459 Tuxford St., in Sun Valley. For more information, call (818) 768-1802.