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APRIL 15 & 16, 2023

Spring of Life

As lawns go dry across Southern California, opportunity is knocking. Life can spring from our cities while we reduce our outdoor water consumption and strengthen our communities. Find out what this looks like on the 20th annual Native Plant Garden Tour on April 15th and 16th, 2023. This year we are pulling out all the stops, highlighting visionary native plant landscapes across the city, and the cast of characters—people, plant and animal alike—who make them what they are. Join us as we reorient towards an ancient, ever-changing spring—the overflowing abundance of nature.

Tickets are on Sale!

Each ticket includes admission for a single visitor to all gardens across both days, a printed color guide with addresses and driving directions. The tour is self-guided, so you can make your own itinerary and go at your own pace. Tickets and tour guides will be mailed starting in early March. Children under 16 do not require a ticket. 

Beginning Saturday, March 11th, tickets will be available for purchase in person at these locations.

Featured Gardens

This year we were honored to collaborate with three gardens to take a deep dive into a range of subjects dear to the heart of our mission: Elements of a Garden (water, earth, wind, fire, heart), Lawn Removal, and Rare Plants.

Dive into a five-episode podcast hosted by TPF Executive Director Evan Meyer with guest Dr. Alex Hall, UCLA Climate Scientist and designer/caretaker of Garden 06. The first episode of Elements of a Garden drops on March 31st!

Learn how to remove your lawn with Sophie Pennes of Urban Farms LA. This video documents the transformation process from grass to a drought-tolerant habitat garden. Stay tuned for video!

Meet artists and designers Karen Bonfigli and Andreas Hessing to learn more about their garden of rare and mature native plant specimens. Stay tuned for video!

Spring of Life Art & Gallery Show

To capture this year’s theme, artist Kelly Malka has created a graphic novel style representation of the life that persists despite the ongoing drought, and how less can be more when it comes to saving water and restoring habitats in Southern California. 

Gallery Show | Kelly Malka
Spring of Life is a visual exploration of how we as humans learn to coexist and adapt to our ever-changing natural surroundings.

Opening reception will be April 8, 2023, 4 – 6 PM, capacity is limited – please RSVP here to attend.

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Local agencies, businesses, and organizations make the Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour possible. We encourage you to follow the links below to learn more about our sponsors, and the great work they do. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, click the button below.

REDBUD SPONSOR

SAGE SPONSORS

BUCKWHEAT SPONSORS

FUCHSIA SPONSORS

POPPY SPONSORS

Theodore Payne Foundation inspires and educates Southern Californians about the beauty and ecological benefits of California native plant landscapes. The Native Plant Garden Tour is our premier outreach event, showcasing the region’s most spectacular gardens.