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Mountain Views-News SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024 

CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

 [Nyerges is an educator and the author of over two dozen books including “Urban Survival 
Guide,” “Extreme Simplicity,” “Foraging Californai,” and other books. More information at 
www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]

NATIVE PLANTS FROM “HARDY CALIFORNIANS”

BACK IN SIERRA MADRE


REMINGTON STEELE (AKA "REMY")

STEEL GRAY MALE SHORTHAIR

BORN 2022-2023

This steel gray, handsome young 
lad came into a crowded LA shelter 
with a life-threatening urinary 
blockage. We stepped in and got 
him the emergency care he needed, 
and now he is doing great. He 
will need to be on a prescription diet for life to prevent future 
blockages. He’s neutered, cur-rent on vaccines, and will be 
chipped. In other words, he’s ready-to-go!

According to his foster dad, Remy 
is cool with other cats and is an all-
around good boy. Want a sweet lap 
cat? Remy's your guy! 

NOTE: If you think it’s a strange name, and don’t remember the 
1980’s TV show with Pierce Brosnan, just Google it. 

Remy’s pictures and adoption application are at https://www.
lifelineforpets.org/remington-steel.html. 


“Hardy Californians” is 
back! This unique native 
plant nursery, located just 
east of Arnold’s Harware on 
Sierra Madre Blvd, is now 
back in Sierra Madre.

 

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 at least through the end of May.

 

According to Davis, “We will be here until 
the end of May and we hope to stay longer, 
pending an agreement with the City of Sierra 
Madre.”

 

Davis says, “We’re super excited to be back 
after our first year since we had such a great 
reception from the community. There is an 
increase in interest in the community with 
native plants, and other activities such as 
harvesting rainwater. We’re very pleased and 
encouraged to be here.”

They will also be offering a series of classes 
and lectures on-site, including an art series 
by Carly Lake, where participants will learn 
to make paper collage, use natural dyes, etc. 
You can register at the site.

 

Davis and Besocke 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.

 

According to Davis, we have a lot of 
hummingbird sage in stock right now, which 
is great for dry gardens, and it also makes 
a good tea.” He adds, “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, Davis 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 Davis and Besocke 
developed the Hahamongna Native Plant 
Nursery in the Arroyo Seco on Pasadena’s 
west side.

 

According to Davis, “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. ” Davis 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. 

 

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 has 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. 

 

Hardy Californians, 238 W. Sierra Madre 
Blvd., in Sierra Madre, is open Tuesdays 
through Sundays, 9 to 5, and closed Mondays. 
Their website is www.hardycalifornians.com. 
You can also call or text at 626-674-4504.


Pet of the Week

 
Kelce is a shy and sensitive husky who is 
in search of a quiet home that will allow 
him to blossom into the wonderful dog that 
we know he can be. While initially he can 
be unsure of new people and places, Kelce 
quickly warms up and becomes a wiggly 
puppy!

 Kelce is a little over one year old and likely 
close to full grown at fifty pounds. He has 
made a lot of close friends with volunteers 
and staff at Pasadena Humane, so his forever 
family will get an instant BFF!

 He recently got to go out on a field trip 
with some volunteers. They reported that 
he had a great day out- playing fetch in the 
yard, going for walks and getting tons of 
attention. He loves chasing toys but hasn’t 
quite grasped the “bring it back” idea. He 
does well in the car, enjoys getting pets and 
appears to be housetrained.

 Handsome and adorable Kelce is a 
diamond in the rough. Once you get past his 
shy exterior, you’ll find the gentle heart and 
loving personality that we get to see all the 
time!

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

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. Daily adoption 
appointments can be scheduled online. New 
adoption appointments are released

Parker Davis and Portia Besocke in front of 
the company van


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