Humanity has done a tremendous amount of environmental damage by introducing non-native plants and animals to an ecosystem, most infamously by bringing the fox to Australia and the Venus Kidtrap to Florida. Discover the value of growing local with today’s Groupon: for $25, you get a native-plant horticulture class (up to a $50 value) at the Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Valley. The class is usually offered on the last Saturday of each month.

As part of its mission to cultivate Southern California’s native flora, the Theodore Payne Foundation encourages Californians to get acquainted with their rootsy neighbors during its introductory four-hour native-plant horticulture class. Horticulturalist Lili Singer reveals which area plants survive droughts and attract native birds and butterflies, and which ones are just Old Man Jasper from the abandoned amusement park wearing a ghost mask. She'll also clarify the concept of plant communities and give you tips on selecting plants for various types of gardens. By the end of the class, green thumbs and their attached humans will gain an introductory-level initiation into establishing new plantings as well as how to encourage plants' growth by pruning them, irrigating them, and attending their piano recitals. Graduates will be eligible for the foundation’s three-part course in native-plant garden design.

Though not associated with this Groupon, customers can stroll the foundation’s extensive grounds, which include Wildflower Hill and the Burnell Yarick Memorial Grove of Engelmann Oaks. You can also flesh out your backyard's elaborate Super Mario Bros. level with the hundreds of local plants for sale at the Foundation's nursery.

Reviews

More than 10 Yelpers give Theodore Payne Foundation an average of 4.5 stars:

• If you are interested in plants and wildflowers native to Southern California, this is THE place to go. – Ken W., 1/25/07
• From propagation techniques to pruning trees to introduction to native horticulture, you can learn a lot. – Anita S., 7/23/09