If you’re a Southern California local we’re giving away two tickets to the 15th annual Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour that will take place on April 14th and 15th. It’s a self-guided trip through 40 gardens in the region and includes 19 new locations (including our neighbor Lora’s house!). If you’re thinking of including native plants in your garden or pondering a garden re-design, the Theodore Payne Garden Tour is a great way to get ideas.
To enter our contest leave a comment on this post naming your favorite native plant. Please make sure to enter your email in the comment form (your email will not be published nor used for anything else other than contacting you to send the tickets). We’ll choose a lucky winner at random and the contest will close on Friday March 23rd at 5pm.
California native plants are beautiful and sustain our wildlife companions. They also help you reduce your water consumption in a climate that is rapidly changing. In addition to the use of plants, the Theodore Payne Garden Tour has a lot of great examples of hardscaping and ways to make the best of small and challenging spaces.
Kelly and I plan on going and we hope to meet the winner of this contest on the tour!
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California Native Plants for the Garden. California Native Plants for the Garden is a comprehensive resource that features more than 500 of the best California native plants for gardening in Mediterranean-climate areas of the world. Authored by three of the state’s leading native-plant horticulturists and illustrated with 450 color photos, this reference book also includes chapters on landscape design, installation, and maintenance.
Matilija poppy!
Platanus racemosa — California Sycamore
I like native CA grasses. So far we’ve planted a few California Fescue and a bunch of Canyon Prince Wild Rye. All are doing well despite the shade of a large Oak Tree in the parkway.
My favorite native is also the Matilija poppy. I’ve even been able to start a few from seed in the past and am trying again right now. I’ve also propagated some native sages and yuccas, but I get most excited about those poppies!
Congrats Donna–the random number generator has selected you as our winner!
Thanks so much Erik – I’m looking forward to it!
Artemisia californica
Ceanothus – any species!
I like Asclepias tuberosa (“Butterfly Weed”). It’s hardy, has beautiful orange flowers, and it’s fun to use its leaves to raise monach caterpillars. (comment just for fun… not in contest)
The plant on my Theodore Payne Tshirt: Eschscholzia californica, the fabulous California Poppy
Does the prize include the airfare from Australia? If so I will look up a plant.
Claire in Melbourne
Wooly Blue Curls. I love the fragrance and it also makes a great tea.
Maybe yerba buena, but really who can pick just one favorite!