A Growing Legacy
Theodore Payne, an English-born botanist who operated native plant nurseries in Los Angeles for 60 years before he died in 1961, introduced at least 400 species of California wildflowers and native plants into cultivation.
Examples of nearly all the species, some propagated from specimens he collected as far back as 1903, will be on sale today through Sunday during the annual summer sale sponsored by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants. “When he saw a vacant lot, he would ask the owner if he could seed it with native wildflowers,” said Elizabeth Schwartz, executive director of the foundation, which maintains a 22-acre California native plant nursery and educational site in Sun Valley.
“The summer sale is when you can see what the plants look like in full bloom,” Schwartz said.
Horticulturist Lili Singer, host of the gardening show on KCRW-FM, will conduct a class at the site Saturday morning while the sale is on.
In her question-and-answer session, Singer will stress the importance of picking the right plants according to soil, sun, shade and moisture conditions. She also offers this tip: “Plant your plants according to their mature size,” which some gardeners overlook when they acquire plants in a seedling state in the fall.
Payne collected and propagated California plants representing almost all recorded climatic zones from coastal to desert to alpine without ever having to travel more than 100 miles from Los Angeles. “Your garden will have its own microclimate, and there will be excellent reference books on sale at the foundation about choosing plants for yours,” Singer said.
Schwartz pointed out the aromatic plants, which can provide a sort of outdoor aromatherapy and a “bird plant” called Foothill Penstemon, which she said is a “profuse bloomer loved by hummers [hummingbirds].”
She pointed to a dramatic hillside planting of large hollyhock-like Matilija Poppies. “They’re hard to transplant but will grow [abundantly] if you give them room to spread--and they make nice cut flowers.” Plant prices will range from $7.95 to $11.95 and discounts will apply during the sale, including 20% off the list price for members [an annual membership is $30] and 15% off for nonmembers.
Further information is available at https://www.theodorepayne.org or the Wildflower Hotline at (818) 768-3533. Singer’s newsletter, “Southern California Gardener,” is available at (818) 780-5072.
BE THERE
Wildflowers and Native Plants summer sale, today through Sunday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Theodore Payne Foundation, 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley. “Gardening Questions & Answers” class by horticulturist Lili Singer, Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon. Class free for members and $10 for nonmembers. Call (818) 768-1802.
