Vera Holds 3rd Annual Plant-a-Thon

Our third annual Plant-a-Thon took place over the weekend of May 15 - 17, 2026.  Members received packets of plant seeds native to their region in the mail from Vera Society and took action by planting them in their home garden and communities, as well as participating in a local habitat restoration program.

Home Gardening

Our Southern California members received narrow-leaf milkweed (asclepias fascicularis) seeds which are native to the Los Angeles region and also an essential food source for monarch butterflies. Along with the seeds came instructions on selecting a good spot - sunny with well-draining soil in this case - and how to plant them.

Narrow-leaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis)

Narrow-leaf milkweed provides a good example of why native plants are important to foster rather than those that are non-native. Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is commonly sold in nurseries in California, but scientific studies are showing that it can be harmful to monarch butterflies, although the caterpillars readily use it as a host plant.  

Narrow-leaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) is distinct from tropical milkweed in that it goes dormant in late fall through the winter and re-emerges in the spring. This process of naturally dying back over the winter is important because acts as a cue for monarchs to stop laying eggs over the winter supporting their migration patterns, and also prevents the growth of a protozoan parasite called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha that infects monarchs.

Images of our members planting milkweed during the Plant-a-Thon.

Volunteering at the Plant-a-Thon

As a part of the Plant-a-Thon, we also encourage our members to volunteer with other local habitat restoration and planting groups. Our Southern California residents had the opportunity to volunteer at the Sunshine Preserve in Glendale and help out at the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy's monthly habitat restoration event. At this program, volunteers were fostering the native landscape by watering plants that the Conservancy is protecting, and were also removing invasive plantlife.

An Invasive Golden Wattle

At the Sunshine Preserve a group of volunteers focused their efforts on cutting back a large, bushy Acacia pycnantha or "golden wattle". This species is native to southeastern Australia, but has become a weed in many other ecosystems, including California, crowding out the native plantlife.

Removing Fountain Grass Seeds

Volunteers combed through fountain grass to remove the seeds and prevent the grasses from repopulating. Fountain grass is invasive in southern California as its shallow roots cause it to quickly dry out and die leaving behind potential kindling for fires.

Images of California native plants the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy is fostering and showcasing.