This past week, I visited the CA Native Garden Grand Opening at Sarvodaya Farms in Pomona CA. It was interesting to see it is certified as a wildlife habitat for “its commitment to sustainability” providing vital elements to the habitat, including “food, water, cover and places to raise young.”

Activities

In this context, there was a welcoming puppet show for families that included music, storytelling, and arts focused to improve wellness and ecological literacy. It was hosted by the De Colores program in Pomona and set a friendly tone for exploration of the garden and nursery. This included a reading of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and singing of the “De Colores” spanish song.

The ground was full of beautiful foliage with warm colors- yellows, oranges, pink, and purples. Poppies and bees were overlooked by a cloudy sky and eager visitors.

There were also 2 greenhouses. On a leaf, I observed the hydrophobic, water repelling surface characteristic with beads of water. There were also budding plants of vicks, ice cream bean, african blue basil, as well as different varieties of avocados and banana. I was especially interested in a vicks plant from the mint family that can give a calming and soothing scent. The vicks plant was in the process of being rooted from a mother vicks plant that looked especially healthy. There were also mulberry trees that look like raspberries or blackberries. This is of interest since silkworms that can produce silk eat mulberry leaves to support their survival.

Closing Thoughts & Call to Action

I am eager to return to see the flowering CA native plants across different seasons. The California Native Plant Society has additional educational resources that can be further explored. A resource from Bloom California has more info about specific native plants, blooming season, and preferred conditions.