SUMMER 2010 the Poppy Print Quarterly Newsletter of the Theodore Payne Foundation Theodore Payne Nursery: A Singular Resource Since 1960 by Lili Singer, Special Projects Coordinator here was a time when California native plants structures was begun in the late 1960s and continues to this were rarely desired by gardeners and few day. In addition to the retail sales area, our property houses 10 gardeners knew of the horticultural treasures nursery structures, including two stock houses (which Nursery for sale at the Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Manager Louise Gonzalez calls her “garden of Eden”), one for Valley. Times have changed. Summerseed, and one dedicated to liners and cutting propagation. In the last decade and especially the last few years, a growing Today’s sales yard covers approximately one acre and offers, on number of Southern California gardeners have become serious any given day, 400–500 different garden-worthy trees, shrubs, about water conservation, are changing the way they garden groundcovers, vines, perennials, succulents and ferns (compared and are learning to appreciate the glorious plants that hail from with 96 species listed in our 1960–61 catalog). their own untamed backyard. And TPF’s retail nursery is routinely More than 80% of that inventory is propagated here at TPF, Tcrowded with novice and seasoned gardeners, discovering including more than 600 unique species and cultivars grown a new and wonderful palette of fragrant, colorful, bird- and from seed (30%) or cuttings and divisions (70%). Some 700 butterfly-friendly California native plants! plants in 1-gallon containers are produced each weekday by a The Theodore Payne Foundation was established in 1960 by small but dedicated crew of four. a dedicated group of forward-thinking individuals to honor Best-sellers include such common favorites as Penstemon the legacy and carry on the work of pioneering nurseryman heterophyllus ‘Margarita BOP’ (Margarita BOP foothill penstemon), Theodore Payne, whose goal was to preserve wild California and Salvia apiana (white sage), Ribes aureum var. gracillimum (golden make native plants available to gardeners. currant) and Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’ (Yankee Point California Over his long career, Theodore Payne introduced more than lilac). Uncommon species and varieties are produced in small 430 native plants to the nursery trade. The first was one of his continues on p. 2 favorites: Romneya coulteri, aka Matilija poppy or fried egg plant. left: From Visit Our Native Plant Paradise Our nursery occupies a 20–acre site donated Saint Mary’s College Brousseau, Alfred © Ken Gilliland; © S. Matson; © Br. to the Foundation in 1966 by Eddie Merrill, a colleague and friend of Theodore Payne. Construction of nursery beds, terraces and From left: Ribes aureum var. gracillimum (berries and flowers); Salvia apiana (flowers); Theodore Payne with Romneya coulteri, his favorite plant. 50 Years of Native Plants continued from p. 1 quantities—and coveted by collectors who monitor our eSunday weekly nursery inventory, posted on our website. August 22 Look What’s Growing Now Future nursery offerings will include rare and unusual 3:00–6:00 p.m. natives from Southern California and beyond. Choice Sierran n hous penstemons are germinating now from seed and should Join us for a FREE members-only event at be ready for sale next spring. Also in production: numerous opTPF headquarters, with behind-the-scenes desert plants (many of which grow surprisingly well along tours, an opportunity drawing and delightful the coast) and an assortment of succulents, especially food and beverages. Dudleya, Sedum and many species of cacti. Help us welcome new Board President Cassy Assistant Nursery Sales Manager Madena Asbell creates Aoyagi and Executive Director Lynnette and maintains our nursery signage and displays. She’s Kampe, and thank outgoing President John currently working on more visuals, particularly images of Wickham. View our private collection of flowers and plant-animal interactions, many of which she rare plant stock and visit our propagation has photographed in the wild. “Not only do we work here,” houses, not open to the general public. Meet Madena says, “We hike, we explore and we get in touch our Board of Directors and share your vision with plants in their natural environments. To us, growing for the Foundation’s next 50 years. Space is natives is not just about water—it’s about creating habitat limited, so reservations are required and will and appreciating the living things with which we share our be accepted in the order received. Please gardens.” RSVP by July 30 to [email protected] or (818) 768-1802. Visit our nursery soon for the region’s largest and finest selection of native plants, plus great information and advice from our knowledgeable nursery staff. Allow yourself time to relax in the shade, spot birds and butterflies, take in The Poppy Print is the membership newsletter of the Theodore Payne Foundation the scents of summer and visualize your own native plant for Wild Flowers and Native Plants, Inc., a nonprofit organization. The Foundation’s mission is to promote and restore California landscapes and habitats, to propagate garden. All gardeners are welcome! and make available California native plants and wildflowers and to educate and acquire knowledge about California flora and natural history. The Foundation operates a nonprofit nursery where native plants are grown and sold to the public year round. Wildflower and native plant seeds, horticultural and botanical books and information are available at our Sun Valley headquarters and by mail. FOUNDATION Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants., Inc. 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352 | www.theodorepayne.org 1971 Sun Valley head- Tel: (818) 768-1802 | E-mail: [email protected] quarters and nursery declared a bird sanctuary by the STAFF Executive Director: Lynnette Kampe milestones Office Manager/Bookkeeper: Margaret Robison California Garden Clubs, with more Seed Room Manager: Genevieve Arnold than 60 species identified on the Nursery Manager: Louise Gonzalez property. Nursery Production: Francisco Rosales, Elmer Luna, Mary 50 years Brooks, Antonio Velasquez Trail built on Wildflower 1960-2010 Nursery Sales: Madena Asbell, Edward Condit, Marie Massa 1972 Office Assistant: Kris Greblo Hill. Ten sycamore trees Programs: Lisa Novick, Lili Singer planted in the new picnic area. Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator: Lisa Novick Special Projects Coordinator/Newsletter Editor: Lili Singer 1976 Propagation class taught by Burnell 50 Newsletter Design: Acorn Publishing Yarick deemed a success and (per BOARD Cassy Aoyagi, President the Board minutes) “May be the start of increased -Jerry Schneider, Vice President educational activity at TPF.” Steve Hartman, Treasurer Stephanie Wilson Blanc Pamela Burgess 1978 TPF donates 200 redwood saplings to Snowdy Dodson Descanso Gardens for the planting of Daniel Fink, M.D. a redwood grove. The Poppy Print newsletter (then Liz Johnson Janica Jones edited by Ysabel Futterman) to be published on a Deborah Wittwer regular quarterly schedule. 2 Poppy Print, Summer 2010 FOUNDATION NEWS Meet Lynnette Kampe, Our New Executive Director We’re excited to introduce you to Lynnette Kampe, our new Executive Director. Some of you may already know Lynnette, since she has served on our Board of Directors for the past five years and is a frequent volunteer, as well as a docent at our annual Native Plant Garden Tour. Lynnette is well known and respected in the native plant community. A certified arborist, she brings over 20 years of experience in native habitat restoration and urban forestry, including as co-founder of North East Trees, an innovative non- profit engaged in greening schools, building parks, planting trees in underserved communities and reestablishing native greenbelts along the LA River. Lynnette also brings energy and experience working with young people. At North East Trees she provided meaningful employment for local at-risk youth, and since 2005 she has served as manager for Tree Musketeers, a youth-led environmental organization. A lifelong lover of nature, she also organizes native habitat restoration projects in her Mt. Washington community. Her hobbies? Weeding, mulching, seed gathering and scuba diving. Lynnette brings enthusiasm, warmth and an arsenal of organizational skills to her new role. Please join us in welcoming her! Thank You to John Wickham by Lynnette Kampe, Executive Director and Former Board Member Speaking on behalf of the Board, we extend deep appreciation and thanks to John Wickham for nine years of exemplary service as President and pro-bono Executive Director. His third term ended June 30, and our by-laws required a break. We count on John to remain a regular at the Foundation, but as volunteer extraordinaire rather than fearless leader. The bulb collection and art program are special interests of his, as well as planning for the 50th Anniversary celebrations. As members of the Board, we have been amazed by John’s professionalism, organizational skills, optimism, leadership and simple hard work. I remember looking up from the membership table at my first Fall Festival and seeing John, with a great smile on his face, pushing a wheelbarrow full of gravel. His management of the Board and staff has enabled us all to achieve more—and share a vision for the future. Under John’s direction, nearly 30 years of deferred maintenance has been accomplished. The growing grounds have been expanded and gardens improved. Membership, sales and educational programs have grown as well. “We all worked really hard to make these things happen, and it’s helped bring in more staff and volunteers,” he told me. “We encouraged people to bring in ideas and let them run with them.” John’s skills as an enthusiastic volunteer with hammer, nails, paintbrush, pick and shovel shine most in the transformed Education Center and surrounding garden. The faded 1940s cottage has been reroofed, rewired, insulated and transformed into a gracious classroom space.