Oct 5, 2024 -Fall Plant Sale with Milkweeds for Monarchs

Our fall plant sale will be on October 5, 2024 at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center (3201 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance, CA 90503) from 10 AM until 2 PM, rain or shine.  This sale will be in-person.   Plants from PVPLC and  Tree of Life Nursery are listed at the bottom of this post.

We do know that we will have loads of milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis), host plant for Monarch butterflies, as well as other  Monarch nectaring plants. “Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are known for their use of milkweed chemicals (cardenolides) as protection against vertebrate predators. Recent studies have shown that milkweeds with high cardenolide concentrations can also provide protection against a virulent protozoan parasite.”  The cardenolide mixtures seem to inhibit growth of the parasites rather than preventing infection.  (see more on this topic)

Left over plants will be sold at a discount at the following Monday night meeting, which will also be held at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center.  For Monday’s meeting, we have an early start at 7PM to our regular (in person) meeting.

2024 Plant Sale Features

• We have requested a lot of narrow leaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) in both 4″ and 1 gal containers.
  • This species is probably the single most important host plant for Monarch Butterflies in California, attracting them and hosting their caterpillars. The plant also provides resources for many beneficial creatures, including native bees.
  • Xerces Society: Recommended Plants for Pollinators & Beneficial Insects – California Southern Coast Region (There’s lots of our favorite native plants on this list, and we will have many of them!)
  • Xerces Society: Monarch Nectar Plants – California
  • Top 20 lepidoptera plants in Lomita – search the best ones for your South Bay garden (our local milkweed, A. fascicularis, is a top 10 winner, suggesting that it supports more than “just” monarchs.)
• We will have seeds and cuttings of select garden annuals and plants available on a “free / pay what you like” basis
  • Feel free to bring seeds or cuttings of native plants from your garden to donate, trade, or give away – there will be a dedicated table for this activity
  • One of our members has agreed to provide cuttings of Lippia (Phyla nodiflora) – This is a selection from Connie Vadheim that is reputed to be a more vigorous grower.  Lippia is a useful, low-water, native ground cover.
• If you are a CNPS or Friends of Madrona Marsh member, we would like to thank you with a free 4″ milkweed, while supplies last.
  • Our members and aligned organizations are the backbone of our organizations!  Thank you!

• We will once again issue a POAP  (say “poe-app) (1) (2) to commemorate the plant sale.
  • POAP is an acronym for “Proof of Attendance Protocol,” a type of unique digital collectible that takes the form of a cool graphic badge.
  • They can be fun to collect, but they are not regarded as valuable collectible items, any more than concert tickets (after the concert) are regarded as collectible.  POAPs are free until we run out – see one of our staff members for your unique claiming URL.
  • See the 2023 POAP HERE
• How can I find out more about native plants for my garden before I get to the sale?
  • Review the planting guide HERE (https://chapters.cnps.org/southcoast/2022/10/10/planting-guide/)
  • If you want to check into plants that would be viable in your garden before the sale, Calscape (for plants) and Bloom California (for philosophy and design) are great starting points.
  • Don’t forget to check Tree of Life Nursery‘s web site and the PVPLC web site as well – they are chock full of information.
• How can I find out more about native plants at the sale?
  • Don’t forget that the Madrona Marsh Nature Center is surrounded by a beautiful demonstration garden
  • Also don’t forget that the Madrona Marsh itself is open to the public and may provide inspiration
  • Our volunteers are skilled at growing many native plants in their own gardens – ask one of us!
• Can I volunteer?
  • Yes!  Please contact us by email and we will work around your availability and skills.  We need all skills, age, and capabilities.  We have enough people on Friday the 4th to set up the sale but we also need help on the 5th, the day of the sale. “SouthCoastCNPS at gmail com” is a good contact point.
• I’d really like to have assurance that I can get a (medium to large) quantity of Ceanothus “Yankee Point” (or any other plant).  How can I do this?
  • Please contact us with an email.  We will try to order and set aside specific large quantities of the same plant so that you can get your order and other attendees will still have good plant availability.