Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 2, 2023

11

Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 2, 2023 

CHRISTOPHER Nyerges [www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]

[Nyerges is an educator and author, who has written “Urban Survival Guide,” “Foraging 
California,” “Extreme Simplicity,” and other books. You can learn more at www.SchoolofSelf-
Reliance.com.]


GEMMA & GILLIAN, 
age 2.5, are two adorable 
little twin sisters. 
Gillian, nicknamed 
“Little G,” has the white 
blaze on her forehead 
and is the most 
outgoing. Gemma, 
nicknamed “Big G,” is 
very introverted. These 
cuties are playful, love 
their toys and treats, 
and are purr-fectly sweet! They would be fine with other 
cats, and look forward to being pam-purred in a loving 
forever home. They will be 
shy at first. Adopt separately 
or together. You can make 
an appointment to meet 
them at The Cats Pajamas, 
626-449-1717. Go to https://
www.lifelineforpets.org/
gemma--gillian.html where 
you can see more pictures of 
them and their video, or just 
use the QR code.


NATIVE PLANTS FROM 

“HARDY CALIFORNIANS” IN 
SIERRA MADRE

AVAILABLE THROUGH DECEMBER 10

“Hardy Californians,” a unique native plant nursery located just east of Arnold’s Harware on 
Sierra Madre Blvd, is back in Sierra Madre, but only until December 10.



Hardy Californians is a Native 
Plant Nursery and Landscape 
Design Studio run by local residents 
Parker Davis and Portia 
Besocke. Within their outdoor 
pop-up format, they make 
available a wide selection of 
locally grown plants native to 
California which are uniquely 
adapted to our relatively 
low levels of precipitation(or 
rainfall) and extremely hot 
summers. 



Both of these talented naturalists 
have been growing, propagating, 
selling, and consulting 
about native plants for several 
years. The current venture at 
283 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. will 
run through December 10 . After that, you can expect to see them return to this location on 
March 1 and they will still be available for consultations. They also recently established a 
landscape design studio at 37 Auburn in Sierra Madre, so you could visit them there as well.



Parker and Portia both believe that our futures should include native plants which use less water, 
and are evolved to thrive in our region. With concerns over drought and climate change, 
native plants offer a viable alternative to the otherwise ecologically-sterile imported bushes and 
trees, and the outdated colonial lawn.



If you’re one of those people who really wants native plants in the yard but have no idea how to 
get started, then just share your information with Parker and Portia. They are each a wealth of 
information, guiding you to those wild natives which are also food, or medicine, or those which 
attract birds and butterflies. 



“We specialize in locally grown native plants that are uniquely adapted to our climate, requiring 
little to no supplemental irrigation, while contributing the most ecological benefit in supporting 
our local birds, bees, and butterflies.”



For several years, Parker led volunteers in restorative efforts at the Audubon Society center at 
Deb’s Park in Highland Park, and he also guided visitors on interpretive walks. Subsequently, 
both Parker and Portia developed the Hahamongna Native Plant Nursery in the Arroyo Seco 
on Pasadena’s west side.



According to Parker, “Hardy Californians is one of the very few native plant nurseries which 
grows plants native to our community, and thrive in foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains 
with little to no maintenance or irrigation. ” Parker pointed out that some of the beautiful natives 
currently available include the aromatic and ornamental “Wooly Blue Curls, and Encelia 
californica, a native sunflower. Other popular plants for sale include White Sage, Black Sage, 
Mugwort, and Yerba Santa, all of which are drought-tolerant, sustainable and boast great ecological 
and sociological benefits. 





Parker points out that many of the native plants are excellent medicinal and culinary herbs, 
and some provide food, just as they did with Native Americans. Some of the food plants include 
native species of grape, the Toyon tree with its beautiful orange-red fruits, and our local 
Elderberry. 



Hardy Californians also offers a landscape design services for those residents ready to ditch 
their lawns for a habitat friendly garden that is uniquely Californian, and are currently offering 
free estimates to interested customers. 



The popup business also offers a selection of terra cotta pots, wildflower seeds and related books 
available, as well as gift items, such as t-shirts, and their popular “LA Plants” Dad Hats! But 
don’t wait. 



Besides the fact that we should all 
be growing and embracing native 
plants, they make great gifts for the 
holiday season of Christmas, Hannukah, 
Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, 
birthdays, and whatever else you 
might be celebrating.



One can order plants from their 
website, and then pick up in Arcadia.

Their website is www.hardycalifornians.
com. You can also call or text 
at 626-674-4504.


Pet of the Week

 
Two-year-old Hansel is the most handsome 
Akita you’ll ever meet! Hansel has a lot of puppy 
playfulness and exuberance, but he also has a 
quiet and mellow personality that gives him the 
look of an overgrown 95-pound teddy bear. 

 Hansel loves playing with toys- He is a self-
fetching machine who can’t seem to wait long 
enough for people to throw the tennis ball, so 
he throws it to himself, then trots around like 
he’s found the best prize ever. Then he is happy 
to relax and contemplate what bark is made out 
of on a tree. 

 Hansel has been out with the Pasadena Humane 
Mobile team and they have given him a five-star 
rating. He enjoys meeting people, rolling over 
for belly rubs and being an easy-going dude. 

 Come meet this supermodel today!

 The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog 
adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, 
and age-appropriate vaccines. 

 New adopters will receive a complimentary 
health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal 
Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with 
information about how to care for your pet. 

 View photos of adoptable pets and schedule 
an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.
org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and 
new adoption appointments are available every 
Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. 

 Pets may not be available for adoption and 
cannot be held for potential adopters by phone 
calls or email.

Parker Davis examines the native plants in the nursery.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com