FALL 2008 the Poppy Print Quarterly Newsletter of the Theodore Payne Foundation California’s Annual Wildflowers by Dylan P. Hannon ach spring across the landscape of southern California, the garden may be only occasionally breathtaking. In cultivation, Ewe are treated to displays of native annual wildflowers supplemental irrigation helps offset scant rainfall, but results that are the hallmarks of the season. Some are flamboyant, still pale in comparison to the stunning array that may follow others delicate and shy, and each is dedicated to its place in a a season of generous precipitation. The inevitable waxing rhythmic pattern that repeats without fail. The same sequence and waning of these charming plants leads to new ideas and of flowering occurs annually, whether the rains have started different ways to best use them, whether from the perspective early or late. Within this general scheme, there is tremendous of the gardener or to better accommodate the plants. variation in levels of abundance from year to year. Growing Tips Often it is the pattern of rainfall, rather than the total amount Wherever annuals are to be sown, the small fragile seedlings of rain, that determinesFall the outcome in a given season. From need protection from a variety of obstacles. By fortuitous this information, one may deduce that growing these plants circumstance, at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden it was in the garden is an inherently unpredictable endeavor. If you discovered that a light covering of gravel helps young plants delight in surprises and randomness, this is the group of flourish. A thin layer (one to two stones in thickness) of pebbles natives for you. (about one centimeter in diameter) is sufficient. Commonly available “pea gravel” or more ornamental rocks may be utilized. There are two basic approaches to enjoying native annuals in Seeds are sown after this layer has been put down and will fall the cultivated garden. One is to incorporate them into existing into the spaces to find homes. The microenvironment created settings, as between shrubs, amongst grasses or as accents by the gravel helps conserve moisture and protects developing in rockscapes. The other, perhaps more familiar idea is to seedlings from temperature stress, erosion and bird pecking. create a wildflower garden using only annuals in the design. Thanks to the pebbles, the need for In either case, the ideal situation is one in which most or all of “scratching-in” the seeds and concern the plants reseed themselves without your help. Nonetheless, about washing them away are some meddling will likely be required to move different species eliminated. At the same time, around or thin others that have become too successful. the rocks help suppress weeds As with gardening in general, the desired results will not be and also lend a decorative tidy obtained in one season. Planning should include introducing effect to the area. new elements annually over a period of several years. It is also continues on p. 2 well to remember that, as in nature, where spectacular displays are seen perhaps only once every seven to ten years, results in BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR The best-ever selection of plants and seeds, at great discounts. Four days, October 3–4 and October 10–11 INSPIRATION AND IDEAS Free evening lecture by landscape fallwith fabulous designer Greg Rubin on October 4 estival SILENT AUCTION silent detailsauction! on page 4 Great items—including books, tools, original art, and rare and unusual native plants and bulbs—with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation! October 4 (before Greg’s lecture) Native Wildflowers FROM THE continued from p. 1 This spring, upon visiting the Theodore Payne Foundation for the first time in years, garden writer Josh Siskin was impressed—so impressed Most native annuals have produced their seed by that, in his Daily News column, he called us a “destination nursery.” We were early summer. For maintenance, dried stalks may tickled. We’ve worked hard to earn that moniker and fulfill Mr. Payne’s mission be either cut down or left to stand (to attract and to educate the public and make native plants available to gardeners. nourish native birds). editor It’s autumn, and our nursery is plump with well-grown plants, ready for planting Keep the soil dry until autumn or early winter out in the garden. So flush are we that a new section of land was recently leveled, rains usher in another growing season. During expanding our sales yard to accommodate an ever-expanding inventory. dry years, irrigation may also be applied. Dense clumps of small plants should be thinned early Why? Because word is out that natives are in—and gardeners like you have on, and ongoing vigilant weeding is essential. discovered all that TPF has to offer: great plants, wonderful seed, swell bookstore, beautiful grounds, excellent classes and sage advice from dedicated staff and A Wealth of Choices volunteers. It is a curious thing that so many Californians enjoy annual wildflower displays, yet few stop to This issue of The Poppy Print highlights wildflowers, a particular love of Theodore think that they could also enjoy these plants in Payne. We hope you’ll try growing them from seed, with guidance from guest their home gardens. No such cultural gap exists in contributor Dylan Hannon (page 1). The rewards include spring color, pretty Britain and France, where many California native bouquets and legions of happy insects and birds. plants have been grown and admired for over For three years running, a raucous pair of Cooper’s hawks has made TPF their 150 years. Glancing through catalogues, both destination, raising their young in the tall pines and sycamores behind our old and new, from Europe, it seems as though headquarters. In fact, many wild creatures make their homes here, as witnessed in we have been sleeping while they have been Animal Report (page 7), a new column by multi-talented nursery staffer Madena busy “improving” such genera as Eschscholzia, Asbell. Linanthus, Clarkia and others. Some of these European selections have made it back across the Every Saturday, when our parking lot brims with cars and the Education Center fills pond, and their beauty inspires us. with students, we know Theodore Payne himself would be pleased—with us, and with each and every one of you! —Lili Singer If you’re new to growing native annuals, start with Eschscholzia, Clarkia and Gilia, all admired for their ease of cultivation and high-impact displays of The Poppy Print is the membership newsletter of the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild color. Most produce seeds that germinate readily. Flowers and Native Plants, Inc., a nonprofit organization. The Foundation’s mission is to They bloom mainly in mid- to late spring (April– promote and restore California landscapes and habitats, to propagate and make available May) in showy hues of red, pink, orange and California native plants and wildflowers and to educate and acquire knowledge about California flora and natural history. The Foundation operates a nonprofit nursery where occasionally yellow, purple or white. Eschscholzia native plants are grown and sold to the public year round. Wildflower and native plant californica (California poppy) is especially hardy in seeds, horticultural and botanical books and information are available at our Sun Valley every sense of the word and can be cut back hard headquarters and by mail. for repeat bloom in late spring or early summer; it Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants., Inc. is perennial under favorable conditions. Cultivars 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley, CA 9135 | www.theodorepayne.org of this poppy come in cream, yellow, red and Tel: (818) 768-180 | E-mail: [email protected] even double forms, to name a few. Clarkia species range from robust to positively gaudy (forms of STAFF Office Manager/Bookkeeper: Margaret Robison C. amoena [pictured on page 10], C. unguiculata) Seed Room Sales Supervisor: Kathy Parenteau to small and elegant such as C. bottae, C. gracilis Nursery Manager: Louise Gonzalez and C. purpurea). Gilia tricolor (bird’s eye gilia) Nursery Production: Francisco Rosales, Elmer Luna, Mary Brooks, Antonio Sanchez and G. capitata (globe gilia) are among the more Nursery Sales: Madena Asbell, Edward Condit, vigorous and frequently encountered species in Layla Leyba this large western genus. Office Assistant: Kris Greblo Programs: Lisa Novick, Lili Singer Somewhat more erratic in their germination Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator: Lisa Novick are members of the genera Lupinus, Phacelia and Special Projects Coordinator/Newsletter Editor: Lili Singer Linanthus, along with Layia platyglossa (tidy tips) Newsletter Design: Acorn Publishing and Lasthenia californica (goldfields). The latter two species belong to the sunflower family, and BOARD John Wickham, President Jerry Schneider, Vice President their telltale flower shapes help balance other Steve Hartman, Treasurer annuals. Notable annual lupines for the garden Lynnette Kampe, Secretary include bluish Lupinus succulentus (CalTrans Cassy Aoyagi Stephanie Wilson Blanc continues on p. 10 Daniel Fink, M.D. Liz Johnson Poppy Print, Fall 008 FROM THE I’m pleased to announce that Liz Johnson and Cassy Aoyagi have joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The Board is an all-volunteer group that provides management and policy oversight for the Foundation. Each member of the Board offers “Each member of the Board offers a a unique set of skillsp and experienceresiden that bring perspectivet necessary to negotiate the issues that arise. unique set of skills and experience that bring perspective necessary to negotiate Liz is a real estate agent focused on the communities of Mount Washington, Eagle Rock and Pasadena, among others. She is the issues.” very active in Mount Washington, including volunteer work on the many native plant landscaping and maintenance improvement projects in that community.