With the abundance of rain this fall and winter, we can expect a spectacular spring wild flower show. But the big question on every wild flower admirer's mind is, "Where can I see them?" TPF's got answers!

On March 6th, we kick off our 26th annual Wild Flower Hotline, a weekly phone message and Web report highlighting dozens of notable wild flower sites throughout Central and Southern California. Information is updated every Thursday.

The Hotline is produced by TPF Special Events Coordinator Lili Singer and narrated by Emmy Award winning actor Joe Spano (Hill Street Blues, Apollo 13, NYPD Blue). Our Web site features more details than the phone message, including links to flower viewing destinations, botanical and common name for each flower mentioned and where and when it is blooming.

The Hotline (available 24 hours a day) number is: (818) 768-3533 and the Web site address is: www.theodorepayne.org.

Come help us celebrate nature's rebirth! We'll be offering discounts on plants: 15% for our members and 10% to non-members, free workshops, and special vendors (Wild Birds Unlimited).

Hours are: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Schedule of free workshops:
11:00 a.m. - Butterflies of Southern California
Join Fred Heath, author of An Introduction to Southern California Butterflies, for an illustrated presentation showing many of our local butterflies. You will discover where, when and how to find these beautiful creatures and learn about their habitats, food plants, life cycles, and behavior. Fred will answer questions such as how long do they live and what is the difference between a butterfly and a moth? He will be available to sign copies of his beautiful and informative book.
12:00 p.m. - All about Leaves with Lisa Novick, TPF Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator
Learn all about leaf adaptations of California native plants - why foliage is fuzzy or hairless, silvery or green, prickly or smooth, aromatic or scentless - through hands-on activities and revealing science demonstrations. For adults and children.
1:00 p.m. - A Native Cutting Garden with Lili Singer, TPF Special Projects Coordinator
Lili will share her knowledge of the wonderful native flowering plants that yield colorful, long-lasting and fragrant bouquets.

The 2008 TP Garden Tour will take place on Saturday, April 12th and Sunday April 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. We'll be showcasing 38 California native plant gardens in the Los Angeles area - from Monrovia to Eagle Rock to Woodland Hills to Mar Vista.

At 6:30 p.m. on April 12th, we're offering a free talk by landscape designer Alrie Middlebrook, coauthor of Designing Native Plant Gardens (UC Press, 2007 - click title to buy at TPF online) at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre (located at 4800 Hollywood Blvd.). Everyone is welcome to come to the talk (not just Garden Tour ticket-holders).

We need volunteers who are outgoing and knowledgeable about California native plants to be docents during the Tour. To sign up for one or both of the days, please call 818-768-1802.

Tickets ($20 per person for both days of the Tour) may be purchased through our secure online store.

Pick up a pot or two (or three!) on your next trip to Theodore Payne and discover the creative world of container gardening with California native plants. We're serving up a wide variety of styles, shades and sizes at prices that are a steal!

In February we're offering Berberis nevinii (common name: Nevin's barberry) to our current members at a 20% discount. Photo by Ken Gilliland.

For those of you wanting to restore some of what used to be growing in California, this is one of the best natives you can put in your garden!

Berberis nevinii is a 6' x 6' evergreen shrub that is endangered in the wild. It blooms with little, bright yellow flowers in the spring that eventually give way to clusters of tiny, shiny red globes that are sought after by Thrashers, Robins, Towhees and other berry lovers.

More info can be found at our Web site's plant gallery. Once there, simply scroll down to the plant name and click on it.

Live in or near Hollywood and TPF is too far of a drive? Not to worry because we're in your neighborhood every Sunday!

Armed with plenty of California native plants and related literature, we're setting up shop at the famed and ever-popular Hollywood Farmers' Market at the corner of Selma and Ivar.

Hours are: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm - plenty of time for leisurely shopping. You can even get breakfast too! What a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning. Hope to see you there.

*On Sunday, March 2 the Market has special hours because of the LA Marathon: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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